NASA STEM Stars: Communications Director at Kennedy | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

In this NASA STEM Stars webinar, Hortense Diggs, the Director of the Office of Communications and Public Engagement at Kennedy Space Center, shares her journey, experiences, and passion for NASA with students.

Key Insights

• 💃 Hortense Diggs' journey to NASA was unexpected and shaped by various career interests, including dancing, teaching, and medicine.
• ✊ She emphasizes the power of perseverance and advises students to stay focused and not give up on their dreams, no matter the setbacks.
• 💍 Hortense shares her passion for engaging with the community, amplifying the NASA story, and inspiring the next generation through various communication and public engagement initiatives.
• 👻 One of the highlights of Hortense's career was hosting an event that brought together students from minority-serving universities, showcasing the legacy and achievements of individuals like Katherine Johnson.
• 😤 Hortense's leadership style focuses on supporting and empowering her team, recognizing the importance of people in achieving success.
• 💦 The work at NASA can be demanding, especially during launch campaigns, but finding a balance between work and personal life is essential for overall well-being.
• 🧑‍🎓 Hortense encourages students to embrace help and guidance from teachers, parents, and mentors, as they can see potential and opportunities that students may not initially recognize.

Transcript

stem fans are you ready let's hear it for the world-class nasa stem stars team from nasa centers across the country we present portents gigs [Applause] welcome to nasa stem stars hortense thank you so much for joining us and happy women's history month how does it feel to be a nasa stem star wow and it is so exciting because you know i just love th... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Hortense Diggs transition from wanting to be a dancer to becoming an engineer at NASA?

Hortense initially wanted to be a dancer, but her passion for science led her to pursue a degree in engineering. She received a scholarship to Prairie View A&M University and majored in mechanical engineering, which eventually led her to NASA.

Q: What is Hortense Diggs' favorite project she has worked on at NASA?

Hortense recalls hosting an event called Legends and Trail Blazers, where 600 students from minority-serving universities visited Kennedy Space Center. The event aimed to inspire and motivate these students, and it remains a highlight of her career.

Q: How does Hortense Diggs balance work and personal life at NASA?

Hortense acknowledges that work at NASA can be demanding, especially during launch campaigns. However, she emphasizes the importance of taking advantage of downtime to achieve work-life balance and spend quality time with family.

Q: Has Hortense Diggs ever participated in an actual space mission?

While Hortense has not personally gone to space, she played a crucial role as a Mission Assurance Manager in several missions, ensuring the quality and reliability of hardware used in space exploration.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Hortense Diggs discusses her background and interests, including her love for gardening and travel.

• She shares her career path from wanting to be a dancer to becoming an engineer at NASA.

• Hortense talks about her role as the Director of Communications and Public Engagement at Kennedy Space Center and the various ways her team amplifies the NASA story.