Madison Newbell: Woman of the Year, Engineer of the Future

When Madison Newbell (’25) checked her email before her Aerodynamics class, she wasn’t expecting a big boost to her personal profile. On a whim, she had applied for Glamour magazine’s prestigious College Women of the Year award, encouraged by a cousin who spotted the nomination link on Instagram. But now, as she scanned the message confirming she was one of only six young women selected for the honor, caught her by surprise.

“I had to leave the classroom,” she recalls with a laugh. “I had to run to the bathroom, jump up and down, and silently scream. It just felt really good to see that everything I have done really has been paving a way for the future.”

Finding Her Path in Aerospace Engineering

That future has always been filled with ambition. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, Newbell is now a senior majoring in Aerospace Engineering with a concentration in Astronautics at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University

Her path to engineering wasn’t a straight line. “I wanted to do and be everything. A dietitian, a chef, a surgeon—anything that involved making things better,” she says. When it came time to choose a major, she landed on astronomy and astrophysics. But soon, an advisor from Embry‑Riddle suggested aerospace engineering. “They said, ‘You can do it. You could also make more money,’” she remembers. “That was aligned with my values,” she laughs.

Internships and Real-World Experience

Newbell’s journey to aerospace began earlier than college. She graduated from the Brigham Young University Independent Studies Honors Program and was deeply involved in her church youth group from ages 13 to 18, dedicating herself to community service and volunteer work. Her passion for engineering was inspired by a love for creating concepts, researching, and developing new ideas.

While she excelled in her studies, it wasn’t until she took AE 201: Intro to Flight Vehicles, a fluid dynamics course, that she fell in love with the subject. “That course really opened up my interest in aerospace,” she says. “I had a tutor outside of Embry‑Riddle who helped me with my work, and he gave me so much extra knowledge about fluid mechanics that I wanted to learn more and push myself harder.”

She has thrown herself into a field she hadn’t even considered a few years ago, securing multiple competitive internships and fellowships that have put her at the forefront of the industry. She was selected as a Patti Grace Smith Fellow, Class of 2022, a highly regarded program designed to support Black students in aerospace. “They’re not lying when they say it’ll change your whole trajectory,” she says. The fellowship led her to an internship with Masten Space Systems, a company focused on accelerating the development of space ecosystems on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. While there, she contributed to key projects, gaining hands-on experience in solving real-world … or maybe “future world” problems.

Through Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University, Masten Space Systems, and her involvement with the campus chapter of the Black Student Association (BSA), she continues to advance her skills as an aspiring aerospace engineer.

Leading the Way for Women in STEM

Beyond her technical achievements, Newbell has made a significant impact on campus through leadership and advocacy. In her freshman year, she joined BSA to find a sense of community. “I was super shy growing up. I didn’t really go to clubs or groups, so I pushed myself out of my comfort zone.” That decision immediately propelled her into leadership roles. She became the first volunteer chair for BSA, spearheading service initiatives. Her dedication led to additional leadership positions with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), where she served as former vice president and community service chair.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the Black Students Association,” she says. “And NSBE has definitely helped me grow as an engineer and professional.”

Newbell is acutely aware of the challenges that come with being a double minority in a male-dominated field. “Sometimes somebody I’ve gone to school with for years will need help preparing for a test. I’ll offer to help, but they overlook my help because they see their guy friend coming over instead,” she says. “And in the end, I could have helped.”

Despite these challenges, she remains undeterred. “Girls and women need to realize just because a field is male-dominated doesn’t mean we can’t fit ourselves into it.” She wants to see more women and minorities in STEM, and she’s actively working to make that happen. “Representation can change so many people. It only takes one thing for somebody to really tap in and realize they’re capable.”

Newbell’s passion for advocacy extends beyond her campus. She hopes to use her platform to inspire the next generation of women in STEM, particularly in aerospace. “STEM is difficult. It’s discouraging at times. But you need a support system,” she advises. “Don’t feel like you have to do everything on your own. Whether it’s joining a club, making friends, or finding a mentor, it’s really important to not bury yourself in a hole.”

A Future Aimed at the Stars

Her work ethic has not gone unnoticed. Along with being named Glamour’s College Woman of the Year recognition, she has earned multiple scholarships, including the Women in STEM Fellowship and the Dean’s List Scholarship.

Even with her impressive resume, Newbell is still figuring out her next steps. Graduate school is on her radar, though she’s also considering entering the commercial space industry right away. The one sector that does not hold any interest is defense. “I am a humanitarian and I want to help people, and that doesn’t align with me.” If she launches her own aerospace business someday, she hopes to combine innovation with her passion for making a difference.

Next up? Her third rocket is in the works. “I want to get my level one certification, which allows me to launch high-power rockets,” she explains. “This time, I’m incorporating structural and material research. All my rockets have personal meanings, so this one will be my research rocket.”

Newbell’s story is one of high optimism, high energy, and high achievement. Whether she’s leading campus organizations, breaking barriers in aerospace, or inspiring the next generation of women in STEM, she is a force to be reckoned with. “I don’t like fitting in,” she says. “I like making my own lane and staying in it.”

And with her trajectory, that lane leads upward and onward, with some power behind it.