Ellen Ochoa
Ellen Ochoa
11th Director, NASA Johnson Space Center

San Diego State​

B.S. Physics (1980)
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  • NASA astronaut. First Hispanic woman to go into space. Veteran of four American space flights with nearly 1,000 ​hours in orbit​​.
  • Recognized with several NASA awards including the Distinguished Service Medal and with the Federal government executive Presidential Distinguished Rank Award.
  • Earned Ph.D. in electrical engineering at Stanford. Co-inventor of three patented optical analysis systems and author of numerous technical papers.
  • Performed as a flutist in SDSU Wind Ensemble, Stanford Symphony Orchestra, and Livermore Symphony. Earned private pilot’s license.
  • Effective ambassador for NASA, delivering more than 300 speeches promoting science and engineering careers. Six ​​schools bear her name in California, Washington, and Texas.

Notable CSU Alumni in aerospace & aviation

Gladys D. BrownMaritime Academy
Airport Director, Yuma International Airport

Cal Maritime

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering with license (2001)
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Yvonne CagleSan Francisco
Lead ARC Astronaut Science Liaison, NASA

San Francisco State​

B.A. Biochemistry (1981)
Tracy CaldwellFullerton
Astronaut, NASA

CSU Fullerton

B.S. Chemistry (1993)
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Gregory ChamitoffSan Luis Obispo
Astronaut, NASA

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

B.S. Electrical Engineering (1984)
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Deborah Ale FlintSan José
Chief Ex​​ecutive Officer
Los Angeles World Airports

San José State

BS, Accou​nting (1990)
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Victor GloverSan Luis Obispo
NASA Astronaut, (Commander, U.S. Navy), ​National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

B.S. General Engineering (1999)
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Barry A. RondinellaLos Angeles
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Airport Director, John Wayne Airport Orange County

Cal State LA​

B.S., Aviation Administration (1987)
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Clark RuckerPomona
Director, Phantom Works Quality, T​he Boeing Company
Chair – Deans Leadership Board of Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Engineering

Cal Poly Pomona

Bachelor of Science, Engineering Technology (1983)
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aerospace & aviation
San Diego