Del Tech student with NASA dreams accepted into online aerospace program

One Delaware Technical Community College student is a step closer to a NASA career: Jacklyn Finnemeyer, an electrical and computer engineering transfer student, has been selected to participate in a five-week online course of NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS), a program that supports students from community colleges interested in STEM fields.

Finnemeyer will participate in the workshop series consisting of discussions, live video chats with NASA experts and mission design challenges from Sept. 16 to Oct. 21.

The program offers the online courses twice a year to selected students, who then may apply for an even more exclusive opportunity to spend four days at a NASA center, paid for by NASA, where they can meet scientists and engineers while developing a robotics engineering project for a panel of judges.

Currently, on-site operations are limited due to COVID-19, but are expected to resume NCAS visits when it’s safe.

Finnemeyer’s goal is to work for NASA.

“I am fascinated by the technological advancements that humans have made,” she said. “The equipment used to study the universe and to better understand our place within it is what inspires me. As a future engineer, I could only dream to be a part of the team that helps to create those technologies.”

Finnemeyer was recommended for the program by her instructor of Electronics Engineer Technology, Ron Medykiewicz.

“Jackie’s focus on becoming an aeronautical engineer was very evident to me from the very start,” said Medykiewicz. “Her drive, determination and seriousness are balanced by her great interpersonal skills and professionalism.”

The program is designed to help create a more diverse STEM workforce by focusing on students attending two-year community colleges, which are more accessible to students who are underrepresented in STEM fields.