Washtenaw Community College (WCC) alumna Aisha Bowe, rocket scientist, entrepreneur and global STEM trailblazer, will be one of six women flying on Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission this Spring, it was announced today.
“I’m honored to be part of Blue Origin’s first all-female flight team and this historic moment in space exploration and human potential,” said Bowe, a 2006 WCC graduate. “This mission is about redefining what’s possible and showing young people, especially girls, that they belong in every field.”
After graduating from WCC, Bowe 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 at 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.
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. Recently, Bowe helped to secure a significant donation of STEM laboratory equipment from Fluke Corporation for WCC classrooms.
Among Bowe’s numerous recognitions is the 2021 Outstanding Alumnus Award from the Michigan Community College Association.
Her journey, from a community college student to NASA rocket scientist, entrepreneur and now citizen astronaut, is a testament to the power of perseverance and purpose. As the founder and CEO of STEMBoard, an Inc. 5000-recognized engineering firm, and creator of LINGO, a hands-on coding kit startup on a mission to equip one million students with STEM skills, Bowe has dedicated her career to expanding access to education and opportunity.
Recently, LINGO secured $2.3 million in venture capital, led by Pinnacle Private Ventures, LLC, reinforcing Bowe’s commitment to making STEM education more accessible. As one of the fewer than 2% of women founders to raise over $2 million in venture funding, Bowe continues to defy limits. Her story is a global inspiration, reaching thousands through her work as a U.S. State Department speaker, and earning her recognition in documentaries, global campaigns, and major media outlets.
“I will be conducting meaningful scientific research during the journey while carrying the dreams of students worldwide,” said Bowe. “The postcards flying with me include handwritten hopes and dreams from students in the U.S., the Bahamas, India, and Kenya. They symbolize the next generation’s vision for discovery, progress, and a future without limits.”
The voyage will be New Shepard’s 31st mission and 11th human space flight.
For more information about Aisha Bowe and her upcoming mission, visit www.aishabowe.com and follow her journey to space @aishabowe across social platforms.
About Aisha Bowe
Aisha Bowe is an aerospace engineer, entrepreneur, and soon-to-be astronaut. A former NASA rocket scientist, she is the founder and CEO of STEMBoard, an engineering firm recognized twice on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies. She also founded LINGO, an edtech company serving over 10,000 students with a mission to equip one million learners with STEM skills over the next decade. Among the fewer than 2% of women founders to raise more than $2 million in venture capital, Bowe is dedicated to expanding global access to STEM education. She holds a B.S.E. in Aerospace Engineering and an M.Eng. in Space Systems Engineering from the University of Michigan.
Tags: Aerospace Engineering, Aisha Bowe, Blue Origin, STEM, STEM Careers, STEM Education, Space Travel