Outstanding Young Alumnus Award

honors alumni, under the age of 40, who have enhanced the prestige of the university by virtue of their character, integrity, and personal accomplishments.

Name:  Nick Skytland
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Home: League City, Texas
Employer: NASA
Job Title: Technical Assistant to the Deputy Administrator for Strategic Partnerships

Nick Skytland ’02 earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Valparaiso University and his master’s degree in the space studies program at the International Space University in Strasbourg, France. Currently, he is enrolled in the master of business administration program at the University of Texas. Skytland works in the strategic partnerships office at NASA's Johnson Space Center, where he develops partnerships with other government agencies, international entities, industry leaders and academic institutions. He also is working to identify critical design parameters for NASA’s next-generation space suits. Skytland has served as a coach for the Zero Gravity Corp., worked for the X PRIZE Foundation, and was instrumental in the planning and support of the first privately funded manned space launch event of SpaceShipOne in the Mojave Desert. He serves on the executive committee for the American Astronautical Society, on the National Space Society scholarship committee, is actively involved in the Space Generation Foundation, and is a member of the Explorers Club. Skytland is a member of the Valpo Club of Houston and the Valpo Admission Network, and is active in the planning of the university's 150th anniversary event in Texas.