ANN ARBOR – Washtenaw Community College has become the launching pad for two aerospace engineers on the upcoming Blue Origin NS-31 mission to space and will host a countdown watch party on campus Monday, April 14.

Join students, faculty and staff to count down and celebrate the achievements of WCC’s own crew member Aisha Bowe as well as alumnus and launch vehicle test engineer Nathan Perry.

The countdown begins at 9 a.m. in Room 150 of the Morris Lawrence Building on the WCC campus, 4800 E. Huron River Drive. The New Shepard launch window opens at 9:30 a.m. EST.

“We are so proud of Aisha and Nathan. Their accomplishments are proof that you can go anywhere with a Washtenaw Community College education – even to the stars,” said WCC President, Dr. Rose B. Bellanca. “Whether it is transferring to the University of Michigan’s prestigious engineering program or to other institutions, WCC sets students on the trajectory toward achieving big dreams.”

After their studies at WCC, Bowe and Perry earned advanced degrees in aerospace engineering from the University of Michigan. WCC is the top community college transfer school to the University of Michigan.

WCC Alumna Aisha Bowe

Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist and STEM entrepreneur, will travel into space as one of six all-women crew members. She is expected to carry WCC items in her payload travel bag.

Bowe joins other accomplished women rounding out the flight crew – bioastronautics research scientist Amanda Nguyễn, journalist Gayle King, singer Katy Perry, film producer Kerianne Flynn and journalist, author and Bezos Earth Fund Vice Chair Lauren Sánchez.

Bowe studied at WCC from 2003-2005 then transferred to the University of Michigan, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Space Systems Engineering. She immediately went to work for NASA before launching a tech entrepreneur career.

A staunch supporter of WCC – and community college education in general – Bowe often credits her start at Washtenaw, specifically her first “A” in pre-algebra, for her career successes.

“Washtenaw Community College changed my life. I graduated high school feeling lost and uncertain about my future, but at WCC, the small class sizes, dedicated professors and accessible, hands-on learning environment gave me the courage to take control of my own path,” Bowe said. “I built the confidence and skills that set me on a trajectory from community college to NASA rocket scientist, entrepreneur, and soon, Blue Origin astronaut. Your past doesn’t define your future. You do.”

Bowe has dedicated her career to expanding access to education and opportunity and travels across the globe as an inspirational speaker and teacher. After NASA, Bowe founded STEMBoard, an Inc. 5000-recognized engineering firm, and created LINGO, a hands-on coding startup kit with the goal of equipping one million students with STEM skills.

In 2020, she endowed the Aisha R. Bowe eMpower Engineering Scholarship for WCC students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution to pursue engineering. She frequently returns to WCC to engage with the STEM Scholars program and other activities. Among Bowe’s numerous recognitions is the 2021 Outstanding Alumnus Award from the Michigan Community College Association.

WCC Alumnus Nathan Perry

A Blue Origin Launch Vehicle Test Engineer, Perry works hands-on with the crew capsule, the section at the top of the New Shepard rocket that carries scientific payloads and astronauts during launches. He is responsible for pre-launch and post-flight vehicle integrated testing and functional checkouts that prepare the rocket for every mission.

Perry studied pre-engineering science at WCC from 2018 to 2020. He earned an associate degree then transferred to the University of Michigan, graduating with a bachelor’s in aerospace engineering in 2024.

After graduating from Pinckney High School, Perry took a six-year break before enrolling at WCC. He said his WCC education and involvement in the college’s STEM Scholars program set him up for a successful path toward a career in the space industry.

“After taking time to reflect on my goals, I realized my passion for the space industry and my dream of working on rockets. With its affordable tuition, supportive environment and strong academic programs, WCC was the clear choice to build the foundation I needed to achieve my goals,” Perry said.

“Ultimately, my passion lies in advancing humanity’s presence beyond Earth by contributing to the development of sustainable off-planet habitats. I hope to one day leverage my experience working on a human-rated space vehicle to contribute to future projects aimed at establishing a multi-planetary human presence. Whether it’s building the infrastructure for lunar bases or developing the technology needed for Martian colonies, my goal is to play a pivotal role in making life beyond Earth a reality,” Perry said.

The mission will lift off from west Texas and will be Blue Origin’s 11th human flight.

JOIN US!

  • What: WCC Blue Origin NS-31 Launch Countdown
  • When: Monday, April 14
  • Times: 9 a.m.
  • Where: Room 150 of the Morris Lawrence at the WCC campus, 4800 E. Huron River Drive.