{"id":78794,"date":"2026-03-24T00:05:36","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T00:05:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english.saigonbiz.com\/vn\/from-wcc-to-space-astronaut-aisha-bowe-returns-to-take-center-stage-at-tedxwcc\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T00:05:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T00:05:36","slug":"from-wcc-to-space-astronaut-aisha-bowe-returns-to-take-center-stage-at-tedxwcc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english.saigonbiz.com\/vn\/from-wcc-to-space-astronaut-aisha-bowe-returns-to-take-center-stage-at-tedxwcc\/","title":{"rendered":"From WCC to Space: Astronaut Aisha Bowe Returns to take Center Stage at TEDxWCC"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Aisha<\/p>\n

ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aisha Bowe<\/a> \u2013 Blue Origin astronaut, former NASA rocket scientist and STEM entrepreneur \u2013 will return to her roots at Washtenaw Community College (WCC)<\/a> next month as the featured speaker at TEDxWCC.<\/p>\n

A WCC alumna, Bowe will join five additional speakers for an evening of powerful talks centered on this year\u2019s theme, \u201cBeyond One Voice,\u201d highlighting how different perspectives drive innovation, understanding and change.<\/p>\n

The free event, open to the public, begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9, in the Morris Lawrence Building on WCC\u2019s campus. Seating is limited. Registration is encouraged through the TEDxWCC<\/a> webpage.<\/p>\n

The evening will open with student poster presentations and live, interactive improvisational performances. Mainstage talks begin at 6:30 p.m. on the TEDx red circle stage.<\/p>\n

Bowe made history in April 2025 as part of an all-female Blue Origin crew that traveled to space. She attended WCC from 2003 to 2005 before transferring to the University of Michigan, where she earned bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s degrees in aerospace engineering. After working as a rocket scientist for NASA, she founded two technology companies \u2014 LINGO, which creates hands-on coding kits for students, and STEMBoard, an engineering firm. Bowe\u2019s journey, from discovering her passion for math in a WCC pre-algebra class to preparing for space, has inspired audiences worldwide. Today, she travels globally as a speaker and advocate for STEM education.<\/p>\n

Additional TEDxWCC speakers include:<\/p>\n

Brandon Tucker, Ph.D.<\/strong> \u2014 Executive Vice President for Instruction at WCC, Tucker will present \u201cMaintaining Your \u2018Why\u2019 During Disruptive Times,\u201d exploring how purpose can guide individuals and institutions through change and uncertainty. He also serves on the U.S. Department of Commerce\u2019s Industrial Advisory Committee on semiconductor workforce development.<\/p>\n

Kei Graves, Ph.D.<\/strong> \u2014 A WCC Humanities and Global Studies faculty member, Graves will present \u201cBeauty Alone Won\u2019t Save Us, But What We Do With It Might,\u201d examining how perceptions of beauty shape identity, belonging and community.<\/p>\n

Michael M. White, Ed.D.<\/strong> \u2014 A U.S. Army veteran, corporate trainer and nonprofit founder, White will present \u201cDFIR \u2013 Reset (Data, Facts, Information and Results),\u201d focusing on how evidence-based thinking can strengthen decision-making and expand opportunity.<\/p>\n

Gail Wolkoff<\/strong> \u2014 Founder of Educate Youth, Wolkoff will present \u201cThe Power of Laughter,\u201d highlighting how humor can foster connection, healing and shared understanding.<\/p>\n

Jacqueline Cuevas<\/strong> \u2014 A disability rights advocate and board member of Disability Rights Michigan, Cuevas will present \u201cDismantling the \u2018System,\u2019\u201d exploring how personal storytelling and advocacy can challenge limiting labels and empower communities.<\/p>\n

TEDxWCC is part of the global TEDx program, which brings independently organized events to communities worldwide to share ideas worth spreading.<\/p>\n

TEDxWCC<\/strong><\/p>\n