Forty-year-old Lathrup Village resident and Oakland Community College student Gina Khamo is one step closer to her dream of becoming a NASA engineer.  

Khamo has been selected for NASA's 2026-2027 Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) Student Challenge, a two-part virtual experience that connects community college students to aerospace careers.
 
“It’s the second year I applied,” said Khamo, who said she was ‘shocked’ to receive her acceptance letter. “For someone like me who hopes to work in the space industry, it’s exciting.” 

In the challenge’s first phase, Khamo will demonstrate how her college coursework and skills connect to a NASA career for a chance to win $500. She will also participate in live webinars, hear from NASA technical leads and explore career resources. 

Students who complete the first phase will be invited to the NCAS Virtual Career Fair to explore technical career opportunities and connect with potential internships and job opportunities. 

Lifelong passion takes flight 

Khamo’s fascination with NASA began in childhood, when she watched space shuttle launches and read books about space. Two years ago, she and her husband traveled to Florida to visit Kennedy Space Center, where she saw the massive Apollo/Saturn V Rocket. She hopes to one day work for NASA as a mechanical engineer.
 
“Space exploration is the final frontier, and NASA is at the forefront,” Khamo said. “It’s challenging, rewarding, and when they have successes, it’s an engineer’s dream.”
 
In 2024, Khamo returned to OCC through Michigan Reconnect, 16 years after she took her last college class. 

Since then, she has built her resume by joining OCC’s Society of Manufacturing Engineers, participating in the Michigan College and University Partnership (MICUP) Program, and securing an internship with BAE Systems. She plans to graduate in May 2027 with an Associate of Applied Science in Pre-engineering. 

Her ambition caught the attention of OCC Electrical/Electronics Technology Faculty James O’Connor, who often called Khamo his “NASA student.” 

“Gina has been very passionate about becoming a NASA engineer for as long as I have known her,” he said. “She is incredibly bright and the perfect recipient of this great opportunity.” 

Learn more about the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars. 

About OCC            
Oakland Community College (OCC) has educated over one million students since 1965. OCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs and is committed to student success with affordable tuition, support services, flexible class options and top transfer opportunities. The College serves more than 20,000 students annually while advancing our community through education, training and career support. OCC is nationally recognized as Michigan’s top online college, and seventh in the U.S., by  Newsweek’s  America’s Top Online Colleges 2025. Learn more at  oaklandcc.edu.   
            

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