AIAA has more than 270 student branches, including over 60 international student branches, and a total active membership of over 9,000 students worldwide. These branches connect students who share a passion for aerospace while fostering collaboration, professional growth and education development.
AIAA University Relations Manager Carla Soto recently visited several student branches across the Mid-Atlantic region to connect with students, learn more about their activities, and support student engagement in aerospace.
At Virginia Tech, the student branch hosted its final meeting of the academic year, sharing tips and lessons learned from summer internship experiences. The meeting also celebrated graduating seniors while welcoming a new group of freshmen joining AIAA and becoming involved in aerospace opportunities on campus.
At Virginia Commonwealth University, students shared the inspiring story of reactivating their AIAA Student Branch from just a small group of interested students into a growing aerospace community on campus. Their branch has created a collaborative space for students interested in aerospace and engineering and participated in the 2026 AIAA Region Student Conference.
At the University of Maryland, College Park, Soto attended the student branch’s spring banquet, where students recognized faculty advisors, celebrated student achievements, and introduced the newly elected executive board for the upcoming academic year. Students also reflected on their experience hosting the AIAA Region I Student Conference and shared many of the accomplishments, planning efforts, and collaboration that went into organizing the event.
These visits reflect AIAA’s continued commitment to supporting student branches and fostering the next generation of aerospace professionals.
Student Branches Approved
At the spring business meetings, nine new student branches have been granted three-year
provisional charters to ensure they are sustainable before being officially chartered as a student branch.
The universities include:
- Aviation & Aerospace University, Bangladesh
- College of New Jersey
- Florida Polytechnic University
- Midland Community College
- McMaster University
- Temple University
- University of Hong Kong
- University of Tulsa
- Westmont College
Student branches allow university members to build valuable networks, develop leadership skills, and engage in activities that support their academic and career aspirations. To find out how your institution can establish a student branch, visit aiaa.org/get-involved/university-students/student-branches.
