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Haley Pfeifer

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Band
  • Research
  • Aerospace
  • Astrophysics
  • Teaching
  • Stargazing
  • Flying And Aviation
  • Spending Time With Friends and Family
  • Business And Entrepreneurship
  • Music
  • Volunteering
  • STEM
  • Saxophone
  • Coffee
  • Kayaking
  • Hiking And Backpacking
  • Walking

Reading

  • Academic
  • Science Fiction
  • Young Adult

I read books multiple times a month.

Bio

I am a junior at the University of Kansas pursuing a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Astronomy. I am a low-income, first-generation college student from a rural community in Kansas. My academic journey reflects a relentless pursuit of knowledge and excellence with a commitment to fostering STEM engagement in underserved communities. I aspire to achieve a Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering. I hope to inspire women in male-dominated fields and children from low-income backgrounds who dream of the skies and stars. I aim to lead in aviation and ensure that every engineer on my team feels confident asking questions, challenging assumptions, and ensuring safety in this demanding field. I value integrity, honesty, and teamwork and vow never to become complacent. As a Self Engineering Leadership Fellow, I am sharpening my leadership and entrepreneurship skills by working within an interdisciplinary team to apply design thinking and project management techniques in yearly impactful projects. Additionally, I am a member of the Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program, where I am paving the way for diversity in academia and research. This is exemplified in my research at KU and at the University of Oklahoma. In my free time, I am proud to serve as one of the Chief Engineers of Jayhawk Aero Design, a team of students who compete in the AIAA Design, Build, Fly competition. I also enjoy playing the saxophone and value friendship and service through my sorority, Alpha Sigma Kappa – Women in Technical Studies.

Education

University of Kansas

Bachelor's degree program

2022 – 2025

Majors:
  • Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Minors:
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics

Fort Hays State University

High School

2020 – 2022

Ellsworth High

High School

2018 – 2022

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Majors of interest:
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Medical school interest:
No
Test scores:
  • ACT33

Career

  • Undergraduate Researcher

    Aviation & Aerospace · University of Oklahoma Research Experience for Undergraduates

    Jan 2024 – Jan 2024

  • Flight Test Engineering Intern

    Aviation & Aerospace · Bombardier

    Jan 2023 – Jan 2023

  • Camp Counselor

    Education · Cosmosphere

    Jan 2021 – Jan 2022

  • Student Desk Assistant

    Education · FHSU Residential Life

    Jan 2021 – Jan 2022

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Aviation & Aerospace
Dream career goals:
Chief Flight Test Engineer
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
  • Entrepreneurship
WCEJ Thornton Foundation Low-Income Scholarship
When brainstorming my greatest achievement to date, I instinctively thought of my successful progress in earning a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and the research I have conducted. Academic success has always been a priority for me. However, throughout my time at university, I have realized that an equally significant, yet often unrecognized, achievement is the group of caring and kind people I am proud to consider my friends, family, and support system. As a first-generation, low-income student, I came to college with no funding and no stable support. Every need was a battle. I struggled every year to find ways to move in and out of my dorm room, sat on the sidelines every family weekend, and struggled to say no when my family needed financial support I couldn’t give. School was always my favorite place growing up, and I consistently excelled academically. Although neither of my parents received a bachelor’s degree, college had always been on my agenda. I grew up in a town of 3,000 people, and my graduating class consisted of only 36 students, most of whom I had known since preschool. The most important part of college for me wasn’t just the academics; it was the people. For the first time, I had the ability to choose who to surround myself with. I got to decide the atmosphere to participate in and who to give my time to. The people I have surrounded myself with don’t love me for the way I look or the money I have or don’t have. They love me unconditionally for who I am, and I love them the same. They support me in every aspect of life, whether that means giving me a ride to the bus station for work, allowing me to crash on their couch when I have nowhere else to sleep, inviting me over for dinner, or sending the occasional but intentional “How are you?” text. They are kind, caring, and incredibly smart. They see the best in me, even when I struggle to see it in myself. I don’t take credit for their personhood or success, but I am immensely proud to call them my friends. This experience has taught me that while my education is important, it is not as valuable without a support system. It has given me personal values that are just as important as practical knowledge. It has also created current and future goals of extending the same care and kindness that my friends have shown me. As an intentional mentor in the Self Engineering Leadership Fellows Program and a caring ambassador for the University of Kansas School of Engineering, I hope to bring even half of the comfort my assembled support system has brought me to the new students entering this sometimes scary experience. In the future, I aim to achieve a Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering and work as a leader and entrepreneur in the aviation industry. Based on my experiences in my master’s program and industry, I will decide whether to pursue a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering. My goal is to work on projects that focus on sustainability, innovation, and equity within the industry. I aspire to be a leader who creates an open-minded and accountable work environment, where my team feels confident bringing errors to my attention that must be fixed in the demanding field of flight testing. Looking beyond my career and academic goals (as I have learned the importance of doing), I hope to continue having loving and caring family and friends. I want to provide my family with the support I needed. My personal goals include achieving financial stability and security, so I don’t have to worry about eating healthy meals, accessing healthcare, or providing a roof or transportation for myself or my family. This also includes maintaining a healthy work-life balance, because I am confident I can achieve both impressive career success and a happy and healthy family life. Lastly, I hope to be seen as a leader and friend who is kind, caring, honest, dependable, and intelligent.
Haley Pfeifer Student Profile | Bold.org