KENDALL SCOTT: EMPOWERING NATIVE SCHOLAR EXCELLENCE

This week NYSG is highlighting Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) staff member, Kendall Scott. Kendall is Director of the Native American Future Stewards Program at RIT. He is a proud member of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma, and he has ancestry to the Meskwaki Nation, the Sac and Fox of the Mississippi in Iowa.  He is a higher education professional and advocate for social justice and tribal sovereignty. Kendall is currently an Executive Master of Public Administration Candidate with the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy at Cornell University. He is also working towards a graduate certificate in Indigenous Education Leadership from Kansas State University. He also currently serves on the board of trustees for the Ganondagan Historic Site and the Seneca Art & Culture Center. 

Kendall is very busy as a Kendall has been a mentor to a previously highlighted NYSG student, Abigail Reigner. Kendall mentors a student lead rocketry team that has been accepted into the 15th Annual First Nations Launch Competition. This award is given to only a few dozen student rocketry teams across the United States. First Nations Launch is hosted by NASA Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WISGC) every year. This competition is an opportunity for students attending a Tribal College or University (TCU), a Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI), or active collegiate members of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) to design, build, and fly a high-powered rocket to be launched at a competition at the Richard Bong State Recreational Area in Kansasville, WI.  

NYSG: Tell us a little about yourselves such as where you are from, your interest, your area of expertise. 

Kendall: My name is Kendall Scott, Director of the Native American Future Stewards Program at RIT, focused on empowering Native scholars in STEM fields. We're thrilled to be a part of the Wisconsin Space Grant First Nations Launch Competition-Mars Challenge. It's an honor to be involved in such an exciting program. 
NYSG: How many team members are you mentoring on the First Nations Launch team, and what are their respective contributions to this project? 

Kendall: Our team consists of six members: two engaged in community outreach to K-12 schools, inspiring interest in STEM, while the other four are seniors from the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Schools. 
NYSG: What is the significance of the First Nations Launch, and why do you think it is important that your team is part of this competition? 

Kendall: The significance of the First Nations Launch lies in its power to inspire young indigenous students to pursue STEM fields. This initiative resonates deeply with our mission to encourage and support underrepresented communities in these disciplines. 
NYSG: Please explain the work your team is doing in preparation for the First Nations Launch. Do you expect any challenges along the way? 

Kendall: Our team is actively engaged in community outreach activities and is rigorously preparing for the First Nations Launch. Challenges are anticipated, particularly in logistics and technical aspects, but we are committed to overcoming them.
NYSG: When and where should we all expect to see the launch of the team's rocket? 

Kendall: The exact details about the launch schedule and location will be confirmed and shared closer to the event date. 

NYSG: Are there any special dedications or recognition you would like to share before we go?

Kendall: A special recognition goes out to Larry Weibert for graciously agreeing to mentor our team throughout this incredible journey. Thank you once again for your support and acknowledgment. We're excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and look forward to sharing our progress and successes with you. 

NYSG will follow-up with this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.