Rishabh Maharaja, Master of International Policy and Practice (MIPP), #WeAreElliott Current Student
Rishabh Maharaja is a part-time student in the Master of International Policy and Practice (MIPP) program the Elliott School of International Affairs. He is currently the Task Lead and System Engineer Senior of the Fermi mission based at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, MD. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Capitol Technology University (CTU), where he teaches intro level astronautical engineering courses, oversees sounding rocket payloads, and co-developed the satellite flight operations training center. At GSFC, his responsibilities include command and control of the spacecraft, mission planning, systems engineering and determining orbits and attitude control. His goal is to study space with respect to policy and engineering.
What has been your most rewarding work, intern or volunteer experience since starting your program at the Elliott School?
As a part of the MIPP Leadership Practicum course (IAFF 6211), the students were required to pick a final project focused on promoting transformational change without having formal command authority over an organization. For my project as a part of IAFF 6211 and as a volunteer at Capitol Technology University (CTU) where I oversee the development of payloads bound for space on a sounding rocket, I started a pilot program focused on helping students with learning disabilities build a payload for a suborbital flight. The flight is slated for liftoff in August 2018. It is rewarding to see these students exhibit their passion for science, technology, engineering, and Math (STEM). The pilot program provides STEM-related experience to students with learning disabilities.
What courses have you found most helpful in your work/intern/volunteer experiences and how have they been useful?
So far, I have found MIPP Leadership Practicum (IAFF 6211) and the Economics of Space (IAFF 6158) to be very helpful in my work and volunteering experience. I am sure that as I grow as a MIPP student, I will find all of the courses to be helpful.
What advice do you have for prospective students who are on the fence about applying to a graduate program at the Elliott school?
My advice is simple: if you are an individual with a passion for learning, growing, and making a difference in the world, then graduate programs like the MIPP program at Elliott School are for you. The rigorous courses and accomplished faculty prepare the students for leadership roles.
Favorite summer activity?
Since I oversee the development of payloads bound for space on a sounding rocket, my favorite summer activity is to get these payloads flight ready. Building an object that flies at fifty times the gravitational force and leaves the confines of the Earth’s atmosphere is exhilarating, challenging, and rewarding. Watching a rocket launch is a thrilling experience.
Want to connect with current Elliott School students and alumni? Click here to see how!
Find out more about this program by creating a CustomViewbook!
Join us for an information session, RSVP here!
Click here to apply to the Elliott School!
Twitter · Facebook · Instagram
The #WeAreElliott profile series is managed by the Elliott School Office of Graduate Admissions and highlights current students to answer common questions posed by prospective, incoming, and current students. For more information on this series or to submit questions, e-mail the Office of Graduate Admissions at esiagrad@gwu.edu.
The views expressed by students profiled do not necessarily represent those of organizations they work for, are affiliated with, or the Elliott School of International Affairs.
Elliott School Office of Graduate Admissions 