Cindy is a rising senior at Kennesaw State University pursuing Systems Engineering with a minor in Aerospace Engineering. She has been a trailblazer in getting aerospace established at her school and currently serves as the first women/minority chair of her local chapter of the American Institute of Aerospace and Astronautics. She has been able to help establish an aerospace research lab, build strong relationships between students and professionals in the aerospace industry, and is a big advocate for advancing engineering opportunities for those who had not seen aerospace careers open to them. Landing one of her school’s first astronautics intern opportunities, she fell in love with space while learning about orbital asset and transfer systems with a start up company named, Scout Aerospace. She is all hands on deck when it comes to connecting the lines and making things happen for a greater cause. Outside of the classroom, she continues her strong advocacy with American Cancer Society. A survivor of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, she helps develop programs for easier access to information and helps fight for policies for a better health care system. Cindy is joyful for the opportunity to merge her love of policy making and space. She hopes to use the knowledge she acquires to help establish efficient systems in her community for easier future opportunities and improvement. She is excited to bring her unique perspective this summer as a Space Studies Board Intern.
Reflection: I was ecstatic knowing that I would be a summer 2020 Intern for the Space Studies Board. I never would have thought that a pandemic was on the horizon. I was looking forward to the hustle and bustle of being on Capitol Hill especially during a campaign year. Because of Covid-19, the big question was if the opportunity was still going to be available since everything would become virtual. Regardless I feel like I was not robbed of an experience being a "virtual" intern. It enhanced my communication skills, since I had to work with my fellow intern and co-workers. Yes, we were far away but, there was a good sense of family. We had fun theme days for our Zoom meetings, and the “spider stories” and wigs were hilarious.
Before the internship, I did not know the spectrum of what the Space Studies Board handles. I was privileged enough to see trail blazers of this decade and before talk about things that affect us as a planet. I got to sit in on lectures and happenings of astronomy and astrophysics, Mars Perseverance, Space X launching their first crew mission, space weather, Mission to Mars, space nuclear propulsion, New Frontiers, and JWST. Everyday there was a new topic, which kept me intrigued and lit a fire in me that made and continues to make me want to do more for this planet, especially because I know how important space research is to help humans understand our Earth better. I got to see the layers of NASA and the influence of the Space Studies Board decadal surveys when it comes to actually going to space. It is the perfect balance of such talented people and agencies. Not only was NASA’s relationship with the Space Studies Board important but also its relationships with other government agencies like NSF and NOAA. Change doesn't come overnight, but I love the persistence of the Space Studies Board. For example, the Hubble telescope turned 30 this year. NASA did not know if it was worth it to send astronauts back to fix it, but now it is one of its most successful missions. The Space Studies Board and science community was able to prove through science that servicing the Hubble was worth it. They put the word out there, and experts got together using science to prove it would be worth the risk after the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster.
We are coming into an era in which the impossible is being made possible and the commercialization of space is becoming a real thing. I got very great advice from people of many different fields. I found that even though things don’t always go as planned, when you have luck and passion; you can land the job of your dreams. Coming from a small town, I never thought that I would be fortunate enough to be associated with a place that researches outer space. Where there is policy there is politics but I really respect and appreciate how the Space Studies Board handles biases and conflicts. They make sense of things using science, which is helpful because at the end of the day people want facts. Science and society alike are progressing, which has resulted in systemic privileges being called out. As a minority, I would recommend more people like me to not be intimidated by stereotypes and pursue your dreams. You never know if you will be the next rocket scientist, astronomer, or researcher that can change the course of history. Diversity and Inclusion is becoming a focal point in the science community and I am excited for what the future holds. I got such a good idea of what it is like to work in a professional field. I got to learn the foundation of space policy and received one of the best experiences I can ask for in my undergraduate career. I walked away more skilled and knowledgeable not only about outer space, but the power of connecting with others. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to intern at the Space Studies Board.