Introducing: Aerospace Engineering Ambassadors

In the Aerospace Engineering Ambassador program, student leaders who exemplify the academic excellence, integrity, and the collaborative spirit of our department serve as outreach representatives and advocates for the AE experience. Through their diverse backgrounds and shared commitment to community, they offer valuable insights into student life, assist prospective students, and foster a welcoming environment for all.

To ask questions about being an aerospace engineering grad student at Illinois, send an email to the ambassadors and one of them will respond.

Sam Hince earned his BS in aerospace engineering at UC Irvine in 2021. He is now in his third year as a Ph.D. student with Phil Ansell as his advisor and a veteran ambassador in the department.

Hince said he finds it personally rewarding to talk with students who are thinking about getting an advanced degree, then later learn they made the decision to attend Illinois for grad school.

About what he wished he’d known prior to grad school, he said, “I wish I’d known how many opportunities there would be to work on exciting and different projects. I planned out my time only to find that at every turn there was a different path I wish I had made the time to explore.”

What does Hince like to do for fun?

“I like flying and working on experimental aircraft with the Illini Glider Club and my friends from the department. Currently we are working on a little Rans S12 that some of my friends will be able to use to learn to fly.”

 

Ariette Kaberlein earned her BS from Illinois in 2025. She is working on a Master’s of Engineering degree.

“Although I enjoyed the broader curriculum of my bachelor's degree, I've loved being able to dive deeper in the specific aerospace subject matter that I find most interesting through my grad classes,” Kaberlein said. “As a grad student, I also feel a stronger sense of confidence and independence within my courses, which allows be to better customize my educational experience to my career goals.”

She said she wanted to be a grad ambassador to help give back to the Illinois aerospace community by spreading awareness of the great opportunities offered throughout the program.

“With such a big school and such a well-established aerospace department, I truly think anyone would be able to find their place here, and I am excited to be an ambassador that can help that process.”

The independence and schedule flexibility that she has experienced as a grad student has made her keenly aware of the need for good time management.

“It’s important to establish routines to stay on track with your courses. There are fewer grad students than undergrads, so it's also important to meet people in your program, collaborate within your learning, and build a community of friends."“

When she’s not studying, Kaberlein said she enjoys being active with friends, like running and climbing but also loves doing creative things like crocheting, sewing, and baking. 

Thien Le earned his BS at Illinois in 2024 and is in the second year of his PhD program. He works in the Composites and Additive Manufacturing Lab with Jeff Baur as his advisor.

“My graduate experience has been significantly different than my undergraduate experience because of the amount of leadership and responsibility I have taken on as graduate research assistant,” Le said. “I’ve had the opportunity to build my projects from the ground up and lead the manufacturing, data collection, and mentorship of my undergraduate research assistants. This experience has taught me the valuable skills of taking full responsibility for the quality of my project and being detail oriented to ensure thought-out decisions.”

He said he became a grad ambassador because it was a great opportunity to meet new incoming/prospective students, share his experience with them and help them become better informed about grad student life.

“I wish I’d known that the graduate experience becomes what you make of it,” Le said.
“Continuing from undergrad to graduate school both at Illinois, I unfairly convinced myself that the graduate life was going to be boring and tiring because I'd be at the same place for at least another four years—but with more responsibilities and less free time. I was completely wrong! Going into my second year, like as a grad student truly becomes what you make of it. By being well-balanced and organized with my time, I have been able to make great progress on my research/academic life while still making time to have fun, relax and hang out with my friends. You can do it as long you realize what values and goals are the most important to you.”

What does he do for fun?

“I love taking walks, especially on the beach, while listening to music. I also love going on fun adventures with my friends and trying new cuisines.”

What did you find to be different as a grad student than an undergrad at Illinois?

I think as a grad student I got to experience a wider variety in classes that I was interested in. I was able to do systems engineering courses, but I even got to learn about laws related to startups. Whether or not you’re going into entrepreneurship, TE 450 can teach you about filing patents, getting funding from investors, and advocating for yourself in contract negotiations. These ideas are important for anyone to learn and help you become more knowledgeable and confident in the real-world. Also, grad school feels more independent than undergrad, since the courses are more personalized, which can be challenging, but as long as you put yourself out there and keep talking to the professors and other students, you can do well. 

Bhumika Dutta graduated in 2024 with a BS in aerospace engineering then stayed on campus and completed her Master of Engineering degree, or MEng, in 2025.

“As a grad student I got to experience a wider variety in classes that I was interested in,” Dutta said. “I was able to do systems engineering courses, but I even got to learn about laws related to startups. Whether or not you’re going into entrepreneurship, TE 450 can teach you about filing patents, getting funding from investors and advocating for yourself in contract negotiations. These ideas are important for anyone to learn and help you become more knowledgeable and confident in the real world. Also, grad school feels more independent than undergrad, because the courses are more personalized, which can be challenging, but as long as you put yourself out there and keep talking to the professors and other students, you can do well.”

When asked why she wanted to be an AE ambassador, she said, “I love to meet with new people and learn about their experiences, so it’s a great way to meet a diverse group of people.  Also, it’s fulfilling to help prospective students, whether they are first year students or incoming grad students. I would have liked to have a peer who’s close to my age and could give me honest and more personalized advice.”

What does she do for fun?

“I like socializing with my friends, longboarding, collecting and listening to vinyl, reading, swimming or trying out a random new hobby.”