ALLSTAR Mentor Profile

Dr. Aprille Joy Ericsson

Dr. Aprille Joy Ericsson was born in Brooklyn, NY. She received her B.S. from M.I.T. and Master’s and Ph.D. from Howard University (HU).  She is the first African-American female to receive a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from HU. 

Dr. Ericsson is currently an aerospace engineer at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).  Dr. Ericsson has 12 years of experience in structural dynamics and controls of spacecraft missions.  As GSFC Instrument/Proposal Manager, Dr. Ericsson has won significant amounts of development funds for mission enabling technology. 

Dr. Ericsson is the recipient of the 2002 HU College of Engineering, Architecture & Computer Sciences (CEACS) Alumni Excellence Award and the 1997 Women in Science and Engineering Award for “Best Female Engineer”.   She has been featured on NBC Nightly News Series “Women to Watch” and recorded in history books honoring African-American Women in Space and Science.  Dr. Ericsson is published in Howard Magazine and numerous scientific journals.  

Dr. Ericsson is known as motivational speaker, mentor, and friend to students and professionals.  She has increased the number of students entering the NASA science, mathematics, and engineering educational pipeline.  She is the creator of an email pipeline distribution of grants, internships and employment opportunities.   The HU Upper Bound Math & Science Initiative Program is named in Dr. Ericsson’s honor. 

Dr. Ericsson is an adjunct professor at HU in the School of Engineering.  She serves on the Board for: Forestville Military Academy, SECME, HU Science Engineering Mathematics Program and the proposed HU Middle School of Mathematics and Science.  Dr. Ericsson is a member of the Board of Trustees for Howard University.

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