The National Coalition for Aviation & Space Education presented its Judith A. Rice Crown Circle Award for Aerospace Education Leadership to Jim Brough, national aviation and space education program manager at the Federal Aviation Administration.
The award, presented with his family and colleagues in attendance at his Burlington, MA, office, honors Brough’s lifetime achievement in aviation and space education having built on decades of efforts, developing FAA’s STEM AVSED program to what it is today, one of the greatest education assets for educators, parents and students to explore aviation and aerospace careers.
“Presenting this award has been challenged by numerous government shutdowns so it is long overdue, but it is an award from the heart to honor someone who is both respected and loved in aviation education,” said NCASE President Kathryn Creedy. “Whether he is at Kid-venture, Teacher Days at Oshkosh, ACE Academies around the country, competitions with partner organizations, he is always greeted warmly because of what he does every day. We are extremely fortunate to have him in the leadership ranks in efforts to connect kids to our careers. Jim is a role model of how to get the job done.”
Brough is well known in the aviation/aerospace education community as a hub of information and as someone generous with his time for making connections to outstanding aviation/aerospace education programs.
Rice Award Honors a Aviation Education Star
Named for former NCASE President Judith A. Rice, a star in aviation/aerospace education, the Judith A Rice Crown Circle Award for Leadership in Aerospace Education was first presented in 1979. It has been bestowed on the luminaries of aerospace education including NASA Chief Research Pilot Joseph A. Walker, A. Scott Crossfield, The NASA Voyager Team and the Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Education Program.
Rice’s son, Ben, tuned it via video link along with dozens of others. “I know my mother is looking down on us and approving of this award,” he said, acknowledging what many in attendance said.
Judith A. Rice (AKA Captain Judy) is a former president of NCASE, who died in 2024. The NCASE Board re-named this award the Judith A. Rice Crown Circle Award for Aerospace Education Leadership in her memory.
Rice was a dynamic leader beginning as a special education teacher and working for the Civil Air Patrol and the Experimental Aircraft Association as a STEM Aerospace Education leader. She knew no bounds and worked tirelessly with collaborative partners to get educators, students and the public invested in aviation/aerospace education. After a round-the-world flight attempt designed to promote Aviation Education, Rice became a flight instructor at Epic Flight Academy in FL, continuing her pursuit to give anyone who put in the work the right tools to be in aviation.
Brough a Long-Term Aviation Educator
“Honestly, I hadn’t a clue this would happen,” said Brough of the surprise ceremony organized by Brough’s colleagues, family and NCASE Vice President Lisa Bacon. “I thought I was being retired and missed the memo.”
No way, Jim and his team are too valuable to our workforce development and career pathway efforts.
In the past, his achievements were recognized with the Christa McAuliffe Sabbatical Award and the Excellence in Education, an annual award by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation that gives an exceptional New Hampshire public school teacher a year-long paid leave of absence and funding to pursue a self-designed project. In 2001, he was inducted into the New Hampshire Teacher’s Hall of Fame after teaching at every level – elementary, middle and high school. He is also an adjunct professor and guest lecturer at local colleges.
In 2008, he brought his experience to the FAA as the National Aviation and Space Education Program Manager. He was responsible for managing all national educational programs and collaborations with partner organizations. He oversaw efforts of over 1,500 program representatives and in 2019, grew the program nationally 254%.
In 2020, Jim became the National Aviation and Space Education (AVSED) Program Lead for the FAA, a job he continues today. He works closely with industry stakeholders such as National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Air & Space Museum, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO).
For NCASE, he is an invaluable member, with NASA’s April Lanotte, of its government advisory board.
The mission of the National Coalition for Aviation & Space Education (NCASE), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is to be a funnel to the best of the best in aviation/aerospace education. It equips educators, parents, students and guidance counselors with comprehensive resources on aviation/aerospace education and career pathways. Established in 1993 and revitalized this year, it is dedicated to bringing the recommendations of the four-year-old Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation Task Force (YIATF) to fruition.
