The Vandenberg Section is honored to be a multiple award recipient in the AIAA 2020–2021 section awards. The section awards honor particularly notable achievements made by member sections in a range of activities that help fulfill the Institute's mission.
The Vandenberg Section was named as a winner of the following awards (all in the Very Small Section Category):
- Outstanding Section Award, First Place: Michelle Itzel (Axient), section chair (tie)
- Communications Award, Second Place: Steve Boelhouwer (Mantech International), newsletter editor
- Membership Award, First Place: Michelle Itzel (Axient), section chair
- Public Policy Award, Second Place: Michelle Itzel (Axient), section chair
- STEM K–12 Award, First Place: Thomas Stevens (U.S. Air Force) STEM K12 outreach officer )
- Section-Student Branch Partnership Award, Second Place: Evan Agarwal, university liaison
Section awards are given annually in five categories based on the size of each section's membership. Each winning section receives a certificate and a cash award. The award period covered is 1 June 2020–31 May 2021. The Institute believes that vital, active sections are essential to its success.