MAero is a group of Black, Hispanic, Latino/a, Native American, and ally members comprised of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff of the Department of Aerospace at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. 

Our mission is to provide a welcoming community and advocate for all marginalized groups including LGBTQ+, disabled people, first-gen students, religious minorities and women. 

More specifically, our focus is to:

• Create, promote, and sustain a welcoming and inclusive environment within the Aerospace Engineering Department at UIUC

• Empower students at all levels to thrive and succeed in both academic and industry settings by providing one-on-one mentorship, disseminating relevant opportunities, and hosting related workshops

• Encourage and engage in discussions about diversity, inclusion, and equity

• Connect with the larger community and companion groups such as the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), and Women in Aerospace (WIA) through outreach events

In the long term, we will leverage these discussions, activities, and connections to promote a higher enrollment of minorities at all levels, and to foster an environment where students, staff, and faculty from all backgrounds  will thrive and strengthen the department’s productivity and impact within our local, national, and global community