Lani SasserSenior Coordinator, American Rocketry Challenge

Lani Sasser is the Senior Coordinator of the American Rocketry Challenge at the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA). She supports the planning, operations, and outreach for the world’s largest student rocket competition, helping engage thousands of middle and high school students each year. In this role, she manages key program logistics, oversees team support and communications, and collaborates across AIA to advance STEM education initiatives.

Sasser brings more than a decade of experience in science education, outreach, and program management. Most recently, she served as a Heliophysics Outreach Specialist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, where she developed educational materials, managed large-scale engagement campaigns for solar eclipses, and received multiple awards, including the R.H. Goddard Silver Group Achievement Award. Her experience also includes leading NASA’s STEAM Innovation Lab, where she integrated emerging technologies into learning environments, mentored interns, and authored publications on STEM education and technology.

Sasser earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Science with a specialization in Data Visualization from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is a published author and a recognized subject matter expert in heliophysics and STEM outreach.