Christina Koch Inspires Future Engineers at North Carolina A&T State University
NASA astronaut Christina Koch recently captivated an audience at North Carolina A&T State University’s College of Engineering. Her visit offered a unique opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to engage in a dialogue covering her diverse experiences, from her academic journey in Ghana to her time in the icy expanse of Antarctica, and notably, her notable mission to the moon’s far side.
Reflecting on her lunar experience, Koch remarked, “It was like seeing a secret garden. It was like this place that you knew had to be there, but it was this proof of concept that the Moon is its own place. You know, we only see this one side as if it’s a picture painted in the night sky, but it actually is this orbital body.”
As a member of the Artemis II mission earlier this year, Koch has inspired many with her achievements. Her roots trace back to Jacksonville, North Carolina, not far from the university, adding a personal touch to her visit.
During the event, Koch shared insights into her career choices, including her decision to leave an engineering role at NASA for an unconventional year at the South Pole. “So even though that wasn’t maybe on the conventional list of what you do to become an astronaut, it was on my list,” she explained.
This particular decision resonated with Caitlyn Lewis, a senior studying mechanical engineering and aerospace at N.C. A&T. “I think that’s really inspirational that you don’t really have to stay on track and that you can still get the same results while not doing the same path as everybody else,” Lewis said, acknowledging how Koch’s journey has reshaped her perspective on her own career path.
