{
  "id": 5152401,
  "title": "NASA Revamps Challenge Linking Community College Studies to Aerospace Careers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/nasa-revamps-challenge-linking-community-college-studies-to-aerospace",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-02T19:01:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "NASA Science",
    "slug": "nasa-science",
    "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/linking-community-college-studies-to-aerospace-careers/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "NASA has revamped its Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) challenge, offering U.S. community college students a fresh avenue to explore careers in aerospace, science, engineering, and technology. The updated program enables students to gain insight into NASA's missions, interact with agency experts, and compete for financial rewards. The application window is now open, with a registration deadline of September 28.\n\nAlicia Baturoni Cortez, project manager for NASA's Minority University Research and Education Project, which oversees NCAS, emphasizes that the challenge is particularly tailored to community college students. She notes that the program is uniquely designed to meet their needs and broaden their career awareness, potentially leading them to either enter the workforce or pursue a four-year STEM degree.\n\nFormer NASA interns Kim Alexander and Ashley Rodriguez attest to the transformative impact of NCAS on their lives. Alexander, who spent eight years as a bartender before attending Riverside Community College, initially planned to study graphic design. However, her passion for math led her to participate in NCAS, where she formed a winning team that designed a human mission to Mars. The experience was a game-changer for Alexander, who went on to take part in other NASA student initiatives. She credits NCAS for broadening her perspective and making her believe that a career in aerospace was within reach.\n\nAshley Rodriguez, a South Florida native, had never considered a career at NASA until she encountered the program while attending Miami-Dade Community College. Initially pursuing an IT degree, Rodriguez discovered her talent for strategic communications through NCAS, creating an infographic on laser relay communications. The program not only allowed her to learn something new but also ignited her interest in a field she now enjoys. Rodriguez and Alexander both began NCAS-funded internships at NASA's Aerosciences Evaluation and Test Capabilities Portfolio Office in January 2024, mentored by Data and Analytics Manager Erik Lopez.",
  "summary": "Community college students across the U.S. now have another opportunity to discover how their education can lead to fulfilling roles at the forefront of aerospace, science, engineering, and technology. The updated NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) student challenge invites students to learn about the agency and its missions, engage with NASA experts, and explore […] The post NASA…",
  "key_points": [
    "NASA revamps Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) challenge.",
    "Students gain insight into NASA missions and interact with experts.",
    "Application window open until September 28 for financial rewards."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NASA",
        "title": "NASA Revamps Challenge Linking Community College Studies to Aerospace Careers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/nasa-revamps-challenge-linking-community-college-studies-to-aerospace-5159335",
        "published": "2026-09-02T19:01:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}