• Patti Grace Smith Fellow, Class of 2025

• Purdue University, Astronautical and Aeronautical Engineering, ‘26

• Host Institution: BAE Systems

Xavier Williams was born and raised in Florida, spending most of his youth in Orlando. As a child, Xavier had the joy of watching rockets launch from the Kennedy Space Center. Although Xavier didn't yet understand the complexities of getting a rocket into space, Xavier knew he wanted to be part of something so inspirational. This fascination led Xavier to fall in love with the sciences, and during high school, Xavier even published a research paper. Xavier is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering with a specialization in Design at Purdue University.

At Purdue, Xavier has become deeply involved in organizations that promote diversity, integrity, and community, such as the National Society of Black Engineers, the Minority Engineering Program, and the Emerging Leaders Scholar Program. Xavier has also had the privilege of contributing to cutting-edge research as part of the Purdue Impact Science Lab, which recently joined the prestigious Aeroballistics Range Association—a network that includes NASA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sandia National Labs, and the Air Force Research Laboratory.

One of Xavier's core beliefs is to be a master of a few things and a jack of all trades. Aerospace engineering encompasses many specializations, and he believes it's just as important to have a broad understanding of the field as it is to develop deep expertise in one area. Along Xavier's journey, he has cultivated a wide range of skills and experiences. Xavier has programmed in C, Java, Arduino, Python, MATLAB, and more. Xavier has gained experience using GitHub and even served as an undergraduate teaching assistant for introductory engineering courses, where he encouraged engagement and fostered a belief that there's no such thing as a bad question.

Beyond academics, Xavier has worked as a student office staff member in the University Residence Halls, fulfilling residents' needs and creating a welcoming environment for students. These experiences have shaped Xavier's commitment to using knowledge and science to serve the greater good. He believes that our world thrives on innovations in medicine, transportation, electronics, and more. Each step he take toward mastering and exploring the world and universe is driven by Xavier's desire to relieve the burdens that weigh us down and to contribute meaningfully to society.