I'm a PhD student in the Space Propulsion Lab in Aero Astro at MIT working on small scale electric propulsion systems. I grew up in Columbus, Nebraska and frequented the nearby Strategic Air and Space Museum as a child. Seeing all the aircraft and spacecraft up close really cemented my love of aviation and space. I went to Iowa State University for my undergrad and concurrently spent time interning and working full time at several NASA centers on various forms of spacecraft propulsion. When I came to MIT I finally had the bandwidth to begin flying and pursue my private pilot's license. I have been flying out of Beverly Regional Airport for about a year and am closing in on completing that goal and continuing on to my instrument rating. I've sincerely loved every second I've spent flying and the opportunity provided by MITFC has really bolstered that.

Krissy Kolasheski

Harvard Class of 2025

AFROTC Cadet

Intended major: undecided, but interested in Computer Science, Environmental and Software Engineering, and Economics; planning to pursue a language citation in Spanish

Laila Rouhi is a first-year student pursuing an undergraduate degree in Economics at Wellesley College. She is an Air Force ROTC cadet at the MIT Detachment 365 and a cross-registered student at MIT located in Boston, Massachusetts. Laila has an extensive background in the political field as she began advocating for legislation at the Capitol at age thirteen, and has worked on campaigns across the country. In August of 2020, she was the Campaign Manager for a representative race in Georgia. Before that, she worked in Missouri for a grassroots initiative as an Election Coordinator. Aside from politics, Laila pursues business and law. Her professional experience developed through a corporate internship with the CEO of Arrive Property Management, a marketing internship with the Eanes Education Foundation, and multiple congressional internships- as well as working two jobs as a freshman in college. Her journalism has also been featured in the Austin-American Statesman Newspapers.