Smead Symposia
Each year, Smead Scholars gather for a special weekend symposium in the Vail area to present their research and listen to other Scholars, Faculty Fellows, Smead Scholar alumni, and network with distinguished guests across industry, government, and academia to learn about career paths and get mentor advice on how to overcome challenges while navigating careers.
- 12th Smead Symposium, Avon, Colorado, May 17-19, 2024
- Keynote Panel
- Mark Sirangelo, Smead Aerospace Scholar in Residence, Former CEO of Sierra Space
- Dan Jablonsky, Former CEO of Maxar Technologies
- Brad Cheetham, CEO, President and Co-Founder of Advanced Space
- Shelli Brunswick, CEO and Founder of SB Global LLC, Former COO of Space Foundation
- Krystal Scordo, Director of Brand & Communication at Astroscale U.S.
- Keynote Panel
- 11th Smead Symposium, Avon, Colorado, May 19-21, 2023
- Keynote Speaker: Bobby Braun, Head of Space Exploration Sector at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab
- Keynote Speaker: Bobby Braun, Head of Space Exploration Sector at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab
- 10th Smead Symposium, Avon, Colorado, April 22-24, 2022
- Keynote Speaker: Michael Drews, Vice President and Chief Engineer, Lockheed Martin Space
- Keynote Speaker: Michael Drews, Vice President and Chief Engineer, Lockheed Martin Space
- 9th Smead Symposium: Avon, Colorado, April 12-13, 2019
- View 2019 Symposium Photos on Flickr
- Keynote Speaker: Prof. Kenneth S. Reightler, Jr. USN (Ret.), Krekel Chair in Aerospace Engineering, U.S. Naval Academy, fmr. NASA Astronaut
- 8th Smead Symposium: Vail, Colorado, May 11-12, 2018
- Keynote Speakers:
- Dr. Ivett Leyva, Program Officer, High Speed Aerodynamics, Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Gregg Burgess, Vice President for Technology Space Systems, Sierra Nevada Corp.
- Keynote Speakers:
- 7th Smead Symposium: Avon, Colorado, April 21-22, 2017
- Keynote Speakers:
- Kathryn Tobey, Professor of Engineering Practice, College of Engineering & Applied Science, University of Colorado Boulder (formerly VP and GM for Special Programs, Lockheed Martin Space Systems)
- Rob Strain, President, Ball Aerospace Corporation
- Keynote Speakers:
- 6th Smead Symposium: Avon, Colorado, May 13-15, 2016
- Keynote Speaker: Prof. Sergio Pellegrino, California Institute of Technology
- Keynote Speaker: Prof. Sergio Pellegrino, California Institute of Technology
- 5th Smead Symposium: Vail, Colorado, May 15-16, 2015
- Keynote Speaker: Prof. Bobby Braun, University of Colorado Boulder (formerly Georgia Tech University)
- Keynote Speaker: Prof. Bobby Braun, University of Colorado Boulder (formerly Georgia Tech University)
- 4th Smead Symposium: Vail, Colorado, May 16-18, 2014
- Keynote Speaker: Prof. Mason Peck, NASA/Cornell University
- Keynote Speaker: Prof. Mason Peck, NASA/Cornell University
- 3rd Smead Symposium: Vail, Colorado, April 26-28, 2013
- Keynote Speaker: Dr. Donald K. Yeomans, Jet Propulsion Lab
- Keynote Speaker: Dr. Donald K. Yeomans, Jet Propulsion Lab
- 2nd Smead Symposium: Vail, Colorado, May 11-12, 2012
- 1st Smead Symposium: Boulder, Colorado, July 25, 2011