MCC student Greg Howard invited to NASA workshop

MCC student Greg Howard MCC student Greg Howard MESA, Arizona – October 27, 2015 – Mesa Community College student Greg Howard has been invited to the National Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) onsite workshop at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Oct. 25-28. At the workshop, students compete in an engineering design challenge on teams with other high-achieving community college students from throughout the U.S.

Howard, 26, said he learned about NCAS through his involvement in MCC's Omicron Beta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. He was accepted into an intensive five-week online course, and upon completion, Howard was excited to learn he was chosen for the NASA workshop based on his online module scores and overall mission design.

“I was pretty ecstatic,” said Howard, a Tempe resident who grew up in Show Low. “NASA represents the apex in scientific pursuits. I’m looking forward to learning about how to solve problems, such as how do you travel to Mars.”

During his time at NASA, Howard will have access to NASA staff, missions, and facilities. Howard is majoring in molecular biology at MCC and has career plans to be a synthetic biologist in the biotechnology field.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Greg,” said Duane Oakes, Faculty Director, MCC Center for Community & Civic Engagement and Phi Theta Kappa Advisor. “We have a great tradition of Phi Theta Kappa Students from MCC being selected and they all say this is one of their life-changing experiences.  One of our past students now works for NASA so this opportunity is a great stepping stone for our students.”

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Contacts
Dawn Zimmer, 480-461-7892, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu
Sally Mesarosh, 480-461-7283, sally.mesarosh@mesacc.edu

Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for its service-learning, civic engagement and innovative educational programs, which include university transfer, career and technical, workforce development, and life-long learning.  Host to 40,000 students annually, MCC offers more than 195 degrees and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations.  MCC’s student body hails predominantly from the East Valley of Phoenix and includes Veteran, American Indian and International students who enrich the learning experience. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to compete locally and globally. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015, MCC is one of 10 colleges that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District. The District also includes the Maricopa Corporate College and two skill centers. For additional information, visit mesacc.edu.

Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) http://www.ncahlc.org, 800-621-7440.

The Maricopa County Community College District is an EEO/AA institution and an
equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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Publication Date: 
Tuesday, October 27, 2015