NASA Revamps Challenge Linking Community College Studies to Aerospace Careers

NASA has revamped its Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) challenge, providing U.S. community college students with a new pathway to explore careers in aerospace, science, engineering, and technology. The updated program invites students to engage with NASA experts, learn about the agency's missions, and compete for monetary awards.

The NCAS application period is currently open, with a registration deadline of Monday, September 28. Alicia Baturoni Cortez, project manager for NASA's Minority University Research and Education Project, which administers NCAS, emphasizes the program's uniqueness for community college students, stating it is one of few opportunities designed specifically for this demographic.

NCAS aims to broaden students' career awareness and facilitate a smooth transition into the workforce or further education in STEM fields. NASA interns Kim Alexander and Ashley Rodriguez serve as living examples of the program's transformative impact. After eight years working as a bartender and initially pursuing graphic design, Alexander found her passion for math and participated in NCAS, leading to a winning team design for a human mission to Mars.

This experience significantly influenced her career trajectory, inspiring her to pursue more NASA student opportunities.

Likewise, Ashley Rodriguez, who grew up in South Florida watching space shuttle launches but never considered a career at NASA, discovered her passion for strategic communications through NCAS. She created an infographic on laser relay communications during her time at Miami-Dade Community College and is now a NASA intern in the Aerosciences Evaluation and Test Capabilities Portfolio Office. Both Alexander and Rodriguez credit NCAS for opening doors to new possibilities and career paths.