The Beginnings
This is an organization that was created in 2008 as an Undergraduate Advisory Council for the Department of Aerospace Engineering, Computational Engineering and Engineering Mechanics (Department Website).
LUNAR stands for Leadership, Undergraduate, Networking, and Recruitment and is comprised of ASE/COE Organization President and Class Representative.
Students Making a Difference
The Leadership, Undergraduate, Networking, and Recruitment (LUNAR) Council is a means for current undergraduates to provide continuous feedback to the department. The students in the Council seek to play an active role in the development, organization, and decision-making process within the department. This will lead to the goal of a full experience—not only in academic education, but also through the growth of the department. With this student involvement, the faculty and staff can make more informed decisions for the benefit of the students. In addition, the Council will take an active part in the recruitment efforts of the department to bring in the best prospective undergraduates to join our program in the future.
Current and Future Activities
The Council meets monthly to discuss current events and issues occurring within the ASE/COE/EM department, specifically those issues related to the ASE and COE Undergraduate Programs. Accomplishments initiated and/or produced by LUNAR representatives include:
- LUNAR Council’s Annual CADathon
- Industry Expert talk with UT ASE/EM industry partners
- Research informational events (i.e., UT’s Center of Space Research)
- COE major guidance pamphlet
- Class socials for ASE/COE students
- Collaboration with alumni, professors, and faculty to improve student life and academics
- Student body representation through town hall meetings and routine feedback from students
- Recruitment efforts for high-performing and/or female students
- Work with the External Advisory Committee (EAC) to increase undergraduate collaboration
- Selection and presentation of ASE/COE/EM Undergraduate Teaching award
Past Projects and Accomplishments
Curriculum review and preparation for future catalog changes
- Retention and contribution to ideas for renovation of the Learning Resource Center (LRC)
- Collaboration with WEP and EAC members in female student recruitment initiatives
- Contributions to the Cockrell School 4-Year Graduation Initiative department discussions
- Curriculum review for Mechatronics and Measurement/Instrumentation coursework, leading to the creation of a new course to replace outdated material
- Participation in Curriculum Committee for the development of the COE degree plan
- Creation of department policy for Honor Code education
- LRC printing policy review and push for PDF assignment/lab submission
Current Lunar Council Class and Organization Representatives
ASE Class of 24 – Anikait Kolluri
ASE Class of 23, President – Courtney Hodgson
ASE Class of 22 – Mythri Paluri
ASE Class of 21 – Grace Calkins
COE Class of 24 – Gauri Nukala
COE Class of 23 – Vrishank Jannu
COE Class of 22 – Rohan Wariyar
COE Class of 21 – Marcos Botto Tornielli
Graduate – TBD
ASE Prospective Student Coordinator – Mythri Paluri
COE Prospective Student Coordinator – Kate Fisher
ACE – Marcos Botto Tornielli
AIAA – Kristen Pallesen
DBF – Catherine Dominic
LRA – James Schoener
SAE – Patrick McCabe
SGT – TBD
TAR- Chinmay Senapathi
UAV- Johan Gonzalez
WIALD – Alyssa Garza