Bethune-Cookman University Student Gabrielle Watkins Wins Internship with the ARES Corporation KLXS III at NASA Kennedy Space Center

In March 2020, Gabrielle Watkins, a senior Computer Science major was selected to join the Kennedy Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) Program as an intern with the ARES Corporation. The ARES Corporation won the KLXS III contract that includes support for ground systems and spaceflight systems planning and design; project management and integration; operations integration and analysis; technical requirements development, management, and compliance; cost, risk, information and configuration management; and schedule integration and analysis.

B-CU is proud to be the only higher education institution of a total of six partners to join the ARES KLXS III team providing engineering and technical services, program and business management support services, and administrative support services to the EGS Program.

Due to COVID-19 Watkins started her internship this past week virtually.

“My first week consisted of meeting the team via Microsoft Teams and online training. Everyone has been extremely warm and welcoming which has made me very optimistic about my time during the internship,” Gabrielle stated. 

“ARES distributed a work issued laptop and monitor for my remote workspace. I ended up going to the Kennedy Space Center office on Friday to ensure I set up the workspace properly, which worked out because I was able to receive a mini tour of the building that I would be working in if and when we’re able to go back on site” she added. 

“It’s very exciting to be able to be part of ARES KLXS team. It’s been a new transition for everyone considering I am one of the first interns to have to conduct work remotely, but the open communication from everyone has been making it easy to adjust.”

The KLXS III contract began October 1, 2019 with a one-year base period, followed by a two-year option and four one-year options that, if exercised, will extend to Sept. 30, 2026. The total contract value including options is approximately $115.3 million.