Background, Mission, Vision and Goals
Ohio Aerospace Institute
The Ohio Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) was established in 1989 (along with the original Ohio 12-member universities) by the United States Congress, and is part of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program known as “Space Grant” administered through the Office of Education at NASA Headquarters. There are 52 consortia, one in each state, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Space Grant is a unique national network of colleges and universities working to expand opportunities for Americans to understand and participate in NASA’s aeronautics and space projects by supporting and enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through scholarships, fellowships, higher education, research infrastructure, pre-college (K-12), and informal education public outreach efforts. The Space Grant national network includes over 1,000 affiliates from universities, colleges, industry, museums, science centers, and state and local agencies.
The OSGC is currently composed of 26 institutions of higher learning (18 universities [including 2 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)] and 8 community colleges), NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), the Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL), and various education outreach partners. The OSGC Program Office is located at the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) in Cleveland, Ohio, and is led by Jed E. Marquart, Ph.D., P.E. who serves as the OSGC Interim Director.
The Mission of the OSGC is to advance the Nation’s capability in STEM leading to the continued development of a diverse workforce through NASA-related collaborations within Ohio’s network of scientists, researchers, engineers, and educators at Ohio universities, the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI), NASA Centers, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and industry that align with the National Space Grant Program goals and objectives. A key component of this activity is to attract and retain students in STEM disciplines with emphasis on increasing participation by women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities.
The Vision of the Ohio Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) is to enhance opportunities for all Ohioans to participate in NASA Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-related research, education, workforce, and public service programs to build and sustain a diverse, well-prepared technical workforce for NASA and the Nation, and to lead in the promotion and development of aeronautics, space science and engineering, and earth science.
The OSGC has five goals to accomplish their mission and in support of NASA’s and the National Space Grant Program’s goals and objectives for FY2015-2018. The OSGC Strategic Plan, Vision, Mission, Goals and SMART Objectives were redefined, approved and implemented by the OSGC Executive Committee in February, 2015. The specific goals of the program, followed by the SMART objectives are as follows:
Click here to download the OSGC Goals.
Click here to view current OSGC Fact Sheet.