North Carolina A&T Students Win Astronaut Scholarships
Two scholars at the Greensboro university earned national recognition for their work in science and technology.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Scholarships
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Two North Carolina A&T State University students have been awarded prestigious astronaut scholarships. The award supports talented undergraduates pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Why it matters
The scholarship program, founded by the original Mercury 7 astronauts, aims to foster the next generation of leaders in scientific and engineering research. It highlights the academic success of students at the largest HBCU in the United States.
Two students at North Carolina A&T State University earned the scholarship award, which was originally established by the Mercury 7 astronauts.
The players
Avery Love
Avery Love is an undergraduate researcher at North Carolina A&T State University who has now earned the astronaut scholarship twice.
Victoria Little
Victoria Little is a student researcher at North Carolina A&T State University focused on work within a psychology department laboratory.
Christina Koch
Christina Koch is a NASA astronaut who visited the North Carolina A&T State University campus in August 2026.
North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina A&T State University is a Greensboro-based institution that currently holds the title of the largest HBCU in the United States.
The details
Avery Love secured the scholarship for a second time after conducting marine biology research with Yale University, while fellow recipient Victoria Little earns recognition for her work in a psychology department laboratory.
Timeline
August 2026: NASA astronaut Christina Koch visited the Greensboro campus.
Culture Shift
The awards represent a broader societal movement toward increased investment in STEM education for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This success underscores how targeted institutional support bridges gaps for researchers at the largest HBCU in the nation.
The recognition of these students highlights the high level of research and collaboration currently taking place at the Greensboro campus. For other students, it demonstrates the potential for gaining national acclaim through academic partnerships with institutions like Yale University.
The takeaway
These awards provide crucial support for students conducting high-level research in biology and psychology. Such achievements serve as a milestone for undergraduates aiming to secure funding for advanced scientific study.
Further reading
Learn more about local academic funding programs in our Scholarships section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Myfox8.
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