Natasha Tse '25


Annie Zhang '24


Diany Rosa '24

Two undergraduate students at the College of Engineering and three at the LeBow College of Business are the first recipients of the Doug Peacock Scholarship, a new award established from a significant gift to Drexel from TransDigm Group Inc., a global producer, designer and supplier of highly engineered aerospace components, systems and subsystems. The scholarships will support female undergraduate students who are from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds and have financial need.

Over the next five years, approximately 25 students will receive awards from the Doug Peacock Scholarship Program, a total of 75 awards. The scholarships are renewable for up to five years of the recipients’ undergraduate education. The inaugural recipients of the award, all rising second years, are computer engineering major Mariane Takizala, chemical engineering major Natasha Tse, finance majors Annie Zhang and Isha Mundlye, and undeclared business major Diany Oliveria Rosa.

“The very generous Doug Peacock Scholarship means a lot to me,” says Tse. “I don’t come from the wealthiest of families. Instead of putting so much time into working, I will be able to focus more on my studies. I am honored to be one of the recipients. Thank you!"

“Drexel and TransDigm are aligned in our commitment to developing and promoting a talented and diverse future workforce,” says Kevin Stein, TransDigm Group’s president and chief executive officer. “With an increasingly global economy, the importance of a diverse workforce cannot be understated. The development of a diverse workforce leads to better innovation, decisions, and outcomes for everyone. Assisting students who might not otherwise have the resources to pursue postsecondary educational opportunities is an important initiative for TransDigm and we are honored to contribute through the Doug Peacock Scholarship Program.”

The scholarships are named in honor of the late Doug Peacock, founding chief executive officer and chairman of the board of TransDigm. A lifelong entrepreneur who held a doctorate in physical chemistry, he pursued a long career at engineering and manufacturing companies including Westinghouse. In 1993, Peacock co-founded TransDigm with W. Nicholas (Nick) Howley ’75. Howley earned his BS in mechanical engineering from Drexel and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Engineering is a field that demands diverse approaches to a problem. By welcoming in students and other members of our community who have diverse life experiences, we strengthen the field as a whole. Nick Howley has worked tirelessly throughout his career to promote this goal, and we are delighted to join him in furthering that effort.

– Dean Sharon Walker

Nick Howley has been chairman of TransDigm’s board of directors since 2018. He previously held a number of leadership roles at the company, which is headquartered in Cleveland, including president and chief executive. He is also chairman of the Cristo Rey Network Board, a collection of 32 Catholic, college preparatory schools that serve more than 10,000 economically disadvantaged students across 21 states. Howley has also served on the boards of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Saint Martin de Porres High School (Cleveland), among others.

“Drexel is an innovative university that follows a unique cooperative model of learning and is committed to preparing its students to thrive in their chosen careers.” says Howley. “My undergraduate experience at Drexel laid the foundation for a successful career and taught me invaluable leadership skills that I still carry with me today. It is a privilege to assist Drexel students through the Doug Peacock Scholarship Program, so they may also benefit from a Drexel education and carry it with them into their future endeavors.”

The scholarships can be used to fund expenses such as tuition, housing, food, books, supplies, and other needs that, if not fulfilled, may adversely impact the students’ ability to complete their undergraduate degrees.

“Engineering is a field that demands diverse approaches to a problem,” adds Sharon L. Walker, dean of the College of Engineering and Distinguished Professor of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering. “By welcoming in students and other members of our community who have diverse life experiences, we strengthen the field as a whole. Nick Howley has worked tirelessly throughout his career to promote this goal, and we are delighted to join him in furthering that effort.”