Allyson D. Yarbrough, BSEE 1979

Allyson D. Yarbrough received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from New Mexico State University in1979 and a master's and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, in 1985 and 1988, respectively.

Dr. Yarbrough is now the associate principal director of the EHF Systems organization in the MILSATCOM (Military Satellite Communications) Division. She is responsible for assisting in management of The Aerospace Corporation's support to protected satellite communications systems that will provide worldwide capability to strategic and tactical forces. She currently leads the organization's mission assurance effort that codifies and tracks the processes and disciplines for mission success.

Dr. Yarbrough joined The Aerospace Corporation in 1989 and has held positions at the Arecibo, Radio Puerto Rico Astronomy Observatory, Hewlett Packard, IBM, and on the faculty at the Electrical Engineering Department at California State University-Los Angeles.

Dr. Yarbrough holds five patents in the area of MEMs (microelectromechanical systems) and for a microwave transistor. She is a frequent contributor to corporate programs, committees and external interactions.  Dr. Yarbrough is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, and the NMSU Electrical and Computer Engineering Academy, among others. She has earned awards and honors such as the President's Council of Cornell Women, Who's Who Among American Women, an Aerospace Corporation Woman of the Year, and the Women of Color Career Award.

Dr. Yarbrough is one of four family members who have attended NMSU.  These include her parents, who enrolled as returning students during her undergraduate tenure.