Rita Barhouche Email & Phone Number

For the 2024-2025 year, I have had the honor of being elected as the educational outreach co-lead for the Notre Dame Rocketry Team. Outreach is not only a requirement for NASA’s USLI competition but also a chance to share our passion for rocketry with the South Bend community. Although our goal is to reach 250 students annually, our team often surpasses 1,000 students through strong partnerships with local schools and organizations. Over the summer, my co-lead and I coordinated with over 50 contacts to schedule more than 20 weekly events. We plan activities that include brief presentations and hands-on STEM experiences, gather volunteers, and organize materials to make each event a success. It has been incredibly rewarding to witness the excitement on the children's faces as they explore the world of rockets. This role not only allows me to develop my leadership and coordination skills but also embodies the true spirit of NDRT—fostering curiosity and learning in our community.

In systems, I collaborate with different teams or squads responsible for individual subsystems (e.g., propulsion, avionics, payload) to ensure that each component is designed and built to work seamlessly with the others. I also oversee the testing phase to ensure that each subsystem functions as intended and that there are no conflicts or issues when they operated together. This really helps optimize the launch vehicle's performance and gives me a better understanding of what happens beyond the physical body of the vehicle.

I collaborate with over 20 engineering students in the squad, contributing to the design (CAD), manufacturing, and testing of the external elements of the larger team's launch vehicle for NASA's yearly University Student Launch Competition that I had the honor of joining the team with in Huntsville, AL in April 2024 which ended in our winning of the competition, getting overall 1st place, 1st place in safety, and 1st place in educational outreach. Throughout this enriching journey, I actively participate in vehicle integration, hands-on manufacturing, and working in the Engineering Innovation Hub on various parts. Experimenting with different manufacturing processes while simulating everything in OpenRocket and RockSim is particularly insightful, allowing me to refine our designs and optimize performance. It is always a rewarding experience to witness the team's progress in the competition, culminating in presenting the Preliminary Design Review and Critical Design Review presentations to NASA. This opportunity provides invaluable hands-on experience with launch vehicles and the comprehensive process of constructing them, including their internal electronic components. These experiences deeply enrich my understanding and enthusiasm for pursuing future career paths in spacecraft manufacturing and engineering innovation.

Being part of the safety squad taught me the importance of taking the proper measures and adopting the right work ethic in engineering projects. With a team of three students, I analyzed 100+ failure modes and mitigations in a team of four, created four safety procedures documents, and wrote deliverables (Proposal, PDR, CDR, and FRR).

As the Secretary and Treasurer of AIAA, I work closely with department faculty to develop and organize biweekly events, including resume workshops, intern fairs, faculty dinners, and industry talks, engaging our AME community of over 1,000 students. I handle advertising and communications through social media, design flyers and posters, and send out a monthly newsletter with club and industry updates to maximize our reach. Through these efforts, we have successfully doubled member engagement from previous years. Being part of a four-person leadership team has allowed me to grow academically and prepare for my future career. We strive to provide students with valuable resources and opportunities to connect with faculty and prepare for life after graduation, even as early as their freshman year. This experience has been instrumental in my personal and professional development.

As a member of the Communications Committee for the Sophomore Class Council at Notre Dame, I am deeply involved in uniting and engaging our class of over 2,000 students. Working with a team of four other students, I help design and promote class merchandise, create and distribute flyers, and draft email communications to keep everyone informed about upcoming events. I also manage our social media presence, producing weekly videos and staying active to foster a strong sense of community and keep our classmates engaged. This role allows me to stay connected with my peers, contribute to the vibrancy of campus life, and ensure that our class remains informed and involved in all aspects of university activities. It's a rewarding way to be actively involved in the Notre Dame community and support my fellow sophomores.

As a Research Assistant in the Go Research Group at Notre Dame, I collaborate with another student to operate plasma jet systems, conduct Schlieren imaging, and extract electrical and optical properties for comprehensive analysis. Our research focuses on investigating plasma jet behavior in open and enclosed environments, exploring the interaction between plasma dynamics and fluid flow. Outside of the lab and weekly run experiments, I contribute to this ongoing research by preparing detailed reports and delivering biweekly presentations to professors and graduate students, aiding project development for practical applications in manufacturing. This role has been pivotal in nurturing my passion for research and academia. Working closely with mentors, I've gained hands-on experience in the lab and honed my skills in data analysis, technical writing, and presentation. This experience fuels my drive to contribute to the aerospace industry and the engineering world at large.

In addition to my role as a tour guide, I have taken on the position of International Admissions Intern with the Notre Dame Admissions Office. This role involves greeting and directing families and guests at the front desk, handling admissions-related inquiries via phone and email, and conducting information sessions for prospective students and their families. As an international student myself, I focus on sharing the welcoming and supportive nature of Notre Dame’s international community. I believe in the importance of providing prospective students with an authentic view of what it means to be part of this community, and I am passionate about helping others find their own home under the Dome. Additionally, I contribute to the admissions Instagram and website by creating online information sessions, videos, and posts, further promoting Notre Dame’s inclusive and vibrant environment.

As a part-time tour guide with the Notre Dame Admissions Office, I have the privilege of sharing my deep love for Notre Dame with prospective students and their families. This role is a true passion for me, as Notre Dame has provided me with a sense of home and family that I cherish deeply. Through guiding tours, I aim to convey the unique spirit and community of Notre Dame, embodying the values of the institution and its commitment to being a force for good in the world. It is incredibly fulfilling to inspire and encourage others to become part of the Notre Dame community and experience the magic of this special place.

As one of two Associate Editors for The Dome Yearbook, I am passionate about capturing and documenting the essence of campus life at Notre Dame. My role involves a range of responsibilities, including photographing daily events, writing stories that cover both academic and campus life, and designing creative themes and spreads for the yearbook. I also edit stories during production nights to ensure high-quality content and oversee the smooth operation of the yearbook creation process. Additionally, I assist with the distribution of the yearbooks at the end of the year, which are provided free of charge to all students. This role allows me to play a key part in preserving Notre Dame’s history, creating a lasting record for future generations, and celebrating the vibrant and diverse experiences of our campus community.

The Ville, St, Louis, Mo

During my 8-week service program with NDBridge at Claver House in St. Louis, my main role was leading a STEM summer camp for children of the Ville, an underrepresented community facing significant challenges in education and lifestyle. Alongside 3 Notre Dame students, I planned and conducted educational activities like robotics, building and launching model rocket kits, learning Python, and other technical challenges and engineering projects. These activities were designed to spark curiosity and foster a love for learning in the kids. I focused on building personal connections with the children, offering tailored guidance and support to help them feel valued and understood. In addition to the STEM camp, I assisted with food distribution, organizing and delivering meals and groceries to community members in need. My tasks included sorting and packing food items, managing inventory, and sometimes delivering food to households. I also helped maintain the community garden, involving planting, watering, and harvesting vegetables, and educating the kids about gardening and healthy eating. Furthermore, I painted two murals which became a symbol of unity and pride, reflecting the strength and resilience of the Ville community while inspiring hope and creativity among the children. I conducted research on the impact of youth mentorship, a topic deeply important to me, as I believe every child deserves a champion to guide and support them. This experience taught me invaluable lessons about service and human connection, allowing me to build strong relationships with the kids and make a lasting impact on Claver House residents, our site director, the parishes and food donors, and the entire Ville community.

In my research, I focused on understanding hypersonic flow phenomena, particularly investigating the behavior of the Mach 6 Ludwieg Tube, with a specific emphasis on flow uniformity within the Mach 6 nozzle. Utilizing a custom multi-probe pitot rake equipped with advanced sensors, including XCE-062 series Kulites and 132B38 Piezoelectric ICP micro pressure sensors, I measured total pressure and observed changes in Mach number and turbulence. The methodology involved systematic steps such as literature review, design refinement, and consultation with Professor Matlis. Using tools like SolidWorks for CAD modeling, I developed a robust testing apparatus for seamless integration and accurate data collection. The research has contributed valuable insights into Mach number uniformity and hypersonic flow dynamics, impacting safety, performance optimization, and technological advancements in high-speed flight.

As part of the First Year Engineering Council under the umbrella of the Engineering Leadership Council, I consistently collaborated with 5+ Academic Committee members to brainstorm event ideas, execute them through organization and advertising, and establish connections within the College of Engineering. This involved reaching out to esteemed faculty and staff members such as the Dean and Director of First Year Engineering, which provided valuable networking opportunities and fostered a collaborative environment. Through these connections, we effectively promoted our events and garnered support from key stakeholders. One notable success was our class registration event, where we served 70+ freshmen by assisting them in navigating Spring 2024 class options and registration. Additionally, we hosted workshops aimed at enhancing professional development, such as LinkedIn and resume building sessions, which were well-received by our peers. Moreover, our class shadowing event attracted over 100 engineering students, providing invaluable insights and networking opportunities for first-year participants. These experiences not only contributed to the success of our events but also facilitated the cultivation of a supportive and inclusive engineering community, aligning with our goal of promoting engineering and fostering a strong community among first-year students.

Ghazir, Keserwan-Jbeil Governorate, Lebanon

This internship position gave me an idea of the day-to-day life of an engineer and reinforced my love for technicalities and systems. My tasks included detailed analysis of car components to understand functionalities, contributing to comprehensive knowledge of automotive systems, while participating in repair tasks like issues with shock absorbers, flat tires, and noisy engines. As I worked with skilled people in the field, I acquired proficiency in noy only operating advanced scanning and diagnostic technologies, but also networking in general and adapting to the collaborative nature of an engineering career.

Bachelor'S Degree, Aerospace, Aeronautical And Astronautical Engineering

Activities and Societies: Notre Dame Rocketry Team (NDRT), First Year Engineering Council (FYEC), Society of Women Engineers, American.

High School Diploma, Lebanese Baccalaureate In General Science

Activities and Societies: Class President, Model Arab League, Model United Nations, “We are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting for” program.