Space at Smith

Concluded Event

The Space Economy Symposium

October 16, 2025

Event highlights

The Robert H. Smith School of Business hosted the inaugural Space at Smith: The Space Economy Symposium, a new initiative dedicated to advancing academic and industry engagement in the commercial space sector.

The symposium brought together faculty, students, alumni, and industry leaders to examine emerging opportunities in the global space economy. The event also marked the announcement of the Smith School’s first undergraduate course, BMGT478K: Industry Analysis of Space Commerce, launching in spring 2026, along with the formation of the Space Club.

Hosted by the Smith School’s Logistics, Business & Public Policy Department and the Center for Global Business, the symposium featured insights from experts across government, academia, and private enterprise on how business principles apply to the rapidly growing space industry.

Event Overview

The program began with a faculty-industry mixer, followed by a public panel discussion exploring the intersection of business, innovation, and space commerce. Panelists discussed national and local space capabilities, commercial competitiveness, and entrepreneurial ventures driving the future of the space economy. The evening concluded with an open Q&A and networking over pizza.

Featured Panelists

National and Local Space Capabilities
  • Rose Croshier, International Relations Specialist, Office of Space Commerce, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Colter Menke, Program Manager, Aerospace, Office of Strategic Industries and Entrepreneurship, Maryland Department of Commerce
Commercial Enterprises in National Competitiveness and Security
  • Rashid Neighbors, Senior Business Development Lead, Amazon Kuiper Government Solutions; Vice President, Space & Satellite Professionals International, Mid-Atlantic Chapter
  • Dennis Woodfork II, Mission Area Executive, National Security Space, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Entrepreneurial Ventures in Space
  • Brent Barbee, Lecturer, Aerospace Engineering, A. James Clark School of Engineering
  • Georgie Brophy, Strategy and Growth Executive, Qwaltec; Co-Founder, Maryland Aerospace Alliance
  • Rob Ruyak, Founder and Global Leader, AWS Aerospace & Defense Sales and Business Development; Host, Space Insiders Show podcast
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