ACC Student Named NASA Scholar
While Carina Rivera is looking for a career in business once she completes her education at Alvin Community College, she is turning towards the skies to develop her skills.
Rivera was recently named a National Community College Aerospace Scholar at NASA. The internship program encourages students from two-year colleges to continue their STEM education at a four-year university.
“This journey will expose me to new topics and give me several opportunities,” said Rivera, a Business Administration major at ACC. “The Discover mission’s focus on collaborative learning aligns perfectly with my aspirations to expand my horizons to make meaningful contributions to STEM fields.”
The Community College Aerospace Scholar (NCAS) program is an educational experience for students interested in a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Each scholar receives a four-day, in-person experience at a NASA center. They will also participate in a five-week online workshop which includes live video chats with NASA experts and engage in mission design challenges.
“I think it is important to keep on expanding our horizons so that they become as wide as the universe itself – after all there are no limitations out there,” Rivera said.
Rivera is the fourth ACC student chosen for this program since it began. Chelsi Nelson was selected for the program in 2016; Keaton Jones was selected in 2019 and Logan Marquis was chosen in 2020.
Math instructor Jennifer Brazil is an advisor in the ACC Honors program and said Rivera is a perfect choice for the NASA program.
“Carina has been a shining star from the beginning,” Brazil said. “As an honors student this year, she has gone above and beyond in her studies and presented herself with professionalism in everything she has done. I look forward to hearing about her success in the scholar program and am proud to say she’s one of ours.”
The Aerospace Scholar program draws in applications from all over the country from students in a variety of fields.
In addition to being in the Honors program, Rivera was also inducted recently into the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. She hopes her experiences at ACC and beyond will inspire her siblings to also pursue their education.
“It is very crucial for them to see me leading by example every day,” Rivera said. “I have to show them that nothing can deter them if they set their minds into achieving something meaningful. My family has always been supportive throughout all the years of my life and it’s this kind of backing that has kept me going; now I have to prove that their encouragement as well as trust in me has played a great part.”
While she’ll spend her time in the NASA program that focuses on skills involved with STEM fields, Rivera said her ultimate goal is to finish her Bachelor’s Degree, pursue a career in real estate development and then perhaps work to make things better for future generations.
“Ultimately, my long-term goal is to attend law school and specialize in immigration law, advocating for individuals and families seeking a better life,” she said.