Colleen H. Fava
LaSPACE Director
Colleen H. Fava is the Director of the Louisiana Space Grant and NASA EPSCoR programs (LaSPACE) headquartered at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. She joined the LaSPACE team as Program Manager in 2012 and was promoted to Assistant Director in 2018. Colleen's degrees and professional experience are primarily in writing and communications. She has taught composition, creative writing, and literature at the college level, served as editor of two magazines, has worked in business development, proposal writing, and marketing in private industry, and has developed and run discipline-driven communications curriculum with university faculty members in STEM disciplines. Colleen continues to serve the statewide and national space grant networks by managing online content, writing press releases, interfacing with media, and serving as the Co-chair of the National Council of Space Grant Director's Communications Working Group.
Colleen has primary responsibility for developing and implementing program opportunities for the LA NASA Space Grant portfolio and under the NASA EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Development (RID) award. Recently developed Space Grant programs include an undergraduate research program funded in partnership with Louisiana Sea Grant, a scholarship program for undergraduate student retention in STEM with a focus on professional development activities, and a research fellowship for graduate students jointly funded by LA Sea Grant and in partnership with the Space and Sea Grant programs in North Carolina.
On the national level, Colleen co-hosts a semi-monthly webinar series for the national space grant community, and helps facilitate national online discussions and workshops for NASA EPSCoR researchers throughout the country. In 2025 she was elected to sit on the National EPSCoR/IDeA Coalition Board and the NASA Council of Space Grant Directors' Executive Committee.
Colleen is highly committed to her community and is usually on at least one volunteer committee or board. As of 2024, Colleen is Chair of the Board of Directors of STAR, an organization which serves victims of sexual violence. Colleen is married to her best friend, Jerry Peck; adores her stepchildren, Abby and Owen; and is a devoted pet-mom to two cats, Mr. Smartypants and Sophia Belle Babypants, and the world’s best doggy, Chuckleberry Hound.
Doug Granger
Assistant Director
Bio Coming Soon dgrang2@lsu.edu
Aaron Ryan
Program Manager
Aaron Ryan is the Program Manager for the Louisiana Space Grant and NASA EPSCoR programs (LaSPACE) at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Aaron joined the LaSPACE team in 2020 and has been heavily involved in mentoring and training students through LaSPACE balloon programs. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Physics.
Aaron enjoys board games and going to the movies in the theatre. A former sailor Aaron, looks forward to the day when we can retire and spend his days getting his feet wet down by the shore.
Jonathan Smith
Program Coordinator
Jonathan Smith is a dedicated public service and community engagement professional with a strong background in government affairs, healthcare, and nonprofit leadership. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Louisiana State University in 2014.
Jonathan began his career working with Garret Graves, where he gained valuable experience in federal policy and constituent services. He later expanded his impact in the healthcare sector through roles with Ochsner Health and Pride Health, focusing on outreach, partnerships, and community initiatives. He currently serves as Program Coordinator for Louisiana Space Grant Consortium, where he supports STEM education and workforce development initiatives across Louisiana.
A passionate advocate for civic engagement and community leadership, Jonathan has held several prominent volunteer roles, including Civic Committee Chairman of Forum 225, Board Secretary of Engage Louisiana, and Regional President of Ochsner’s Young Professionals Association (YPA). He currently serves as President of the You Aren’t Alone Project, where he is committed to fostering connection and support for mental health within the Baton Rouge community.
Outside of his professional and volunteer work, Jonathan is a member of Living Hope Fellowship and enjoys giving back through organizations such as the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and St. Vincent de Paul. He is an avid traveler and reader, with a particular love for fantasy, historical fiction, and historical biographies. Jonathan is also a devoted film enthusiast, especially drawn to movies from Hollywood’s Golden Era. Jonathan is a cat lover with two of his own Sirius and Moony.