Cedarville Magazine, Spring 2021

special assistant on STEM education to the Maryland state superintendent of schools. In the meantime, her interest in space led her to become a pilot. In 2016, she began an almost four-year run with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association in Frederick, Maryland, as their Senior Director of the High School Aviation Initiative, which offered a four-year aviation STEM curriculum to high schools at no charge. Hasselbring wasn’t looking for another job, but the Executive Director of the National Science and Technology Council came looking for her. After two interviews, she had the job that took her to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. “I was really excited to see how God could use me here in the federal government as a light for Him,” Hasselbring said. STEM EDUCATION CHAMPION Among the many projects Hasselbring led was the development of a plan to help veterans and their spouses overcome barriers to accessing STEM education and careers. She is also a champion for exposing young girls to the career possibilities in STEM fields. She took girls on field trips when she was a teacher, and she has led an aviation camp for girls at the Experimental Aircraft Association airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for the past 10 years. “The job growth in STEM is growing at a quick rate,” Hasselbring said. “These are high-paying jobs that can help support families, but kids have to be prepared for them, have an awareness about them, and see themselves in them.” Although Hasselbring was not a political appointee, her service at the White House ended in February. She will work at the National Science Foundation until August and is confident that the same Father who launched this part of her career will guide her to a safe landing. "I am trusting the Lord to lead my next steps," she said. "He is faithful." Jeff Gilbert ’87 is an Assistant Professor of Journalism at Cedarville University. I was really excited to see how God could use me here in the federal government as a light for Him. Cindy Hasselbring ’95 22 | Cedarville Magazine