Constance Meadors on Leading Arkansas' Space Grant Program Into the Future

Meadors is the first African American female space grant director in the United States. (Provided)

Constance Meadors is director of the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium & NASA Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. Meadors held a fellowship at NASA, where she established the NASA EPSCoR advisory council. She joined the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2023 and was named director of the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium in 2024.

Meadors earned a bachelor’s in physics from Grambling State University in Louisiana. She received her master’s in applied science from UA Little Rock.

What is the mission of the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium?

The mission of the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium is to advance space science, education, research and public outreach throughout Arkansas. This is achieved by partnering with 18 four-year colleges and universities across the state.

How did you become interested in science and space research?

As a child, I read science books. I was fascinated by things that were combustible or flammable, such as aerosol hairspray and rubbing alcohol. I literally played with fire, and I liked to tinker. I loved participating in science fairs. As a graduate student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, I was introduced to hybrid rocket research. I became infatuated with space science after witnessing the testing of the space shuttle’s main engine at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.

What do you see as the greatest areas of untapped potential for Arkansas to be more involved with NASA and other aeronautics ventures?

Arkansas is a diamond in the rough in the aerospace industry. The aerospace and aeronautics sectors and education remain largely untapped. We aren’t actively engaging rural schools and communities with space science. Applications for NASA internships exceeded 500. We must create a partnership with industry that provides opportunities in the state for workforce development. Collaboration across education, government and industry is key to turning this vision into reality.

What do you hope to see Arkansas accomplish in aerospace in upcoming years?

That Arkansas solidify its position as a leader in the aerospace sector, driving economic development and technological advancement in the years to come.

How are Arkansas companies involved in NASA’s mission?

Aerospace is Arkansas’ top export. NASA’s missions are supported by Arkansas companies through a variety of contracts, research initiatives and contributions to the aerospace industry. About 170 aerospace and defense companies employ about 10,000 people in Arkansas. NASA EPSCoR and the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium support research aimed at developing advanced photovoltaic devices, cubeSats, etc. Multiple Arkansas universities collaborate on various projects.