Retired NASA Astronaut Joan Higginbotham to speak at Murray State University

MURRAY, Ky. – Murray State University welcomes retired NASA Astronaut and trailblazing electrical engineer Joan Higginbotham for “Commanding the Unknown: Leadership and Stress Management from Space to Earth" as part of a speaking series sponsored by Bacon Farmer Workman (BFW)/Marcum Engineering on Thursday, Sept. 26, from 6 - 7 p.m. at Lovett Auditorium. The event is part of a leadership series titled “Leadership by Design,” led by Murray State alumnus and BFW/Marcum Engineering Executive Vice President Mark Workman. 

A retired NASA Astronaut, Joan Higginbotham flew aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in 2006 and became the third African American woman to travel into space. On the nearly 13-day mission, the seven-member crew continued construction of the International Space Station (ISS), embarking on four space walks with Higginbotham operating the station’s robotic arm. 

A real-life rocket scientist, her journey with NASA began in 1987 as an aerospace technologist at the Kennedy Space Center where she soared through the ranks and participated in 53 space shuttle launches from the firing room. Selected as a NASA Astronaut candidate in 1996, she logged more than 308 hours in space, retiring from NASA in 2007. After her twenty years at NASA, she has held leadership roles with numerous large companies and now runs her own aerospace consulting firm. 

Higginbotham has received numerous awards including World Who’s Who of Women, Charlotte’s (North Carolina) 50 Most Influential Women, the National Space Medal, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the Adler Planetarium Women in Space Award and Savoy Magazine’s top Influential Women in Corporate America. She has been conferred with an Honorary Doctorate in Aerospace Science from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, her alma mater, and an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from the University of New Orleans. Joan resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is married to James E. Mitchell, Jr. 

"We are thrilled to welcome retired NASA Astronaut Joan Higginbotham as a guest speaker for our internal leadership program,” said Mark Workman, BFW/Marcum Engineering Executive Vice President. “Her remarkable journey and achievements are a testament to perseverance, innovation and leadership. Joan's insights and experiences will undoubtedly inspire and empower our team to reach new heights."                        

"We are very excited to partner with BFW/Marcum Engineering to host such a distinguished and accomplished speaker, NASA Astronaut Joan Higginbotham,” said Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson. “Ms. Higginbotham is a trailblazer in her profession and will bring an exciting message to our campus community."

The event is free, but registration is required at https://bit.ly/3yXzd1I. For event questions, please contact the Murray State Office of Development at 270-809-3001.