Computer Information Systems student Jonathan Cooper took what he is learning at Chesapeake to NASA’s Langley Research Center this fall where he participated in  the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars Program.

The 12-credit workshop included an online course and hands-on project work.

“This was a great experience. It was both challenging and rewarding for me,” Mr. Copper said. “Obviously, I learned so much about NASA, but I also learned about myself. I would love to work for NASA in the future.”

Currently, Mr. Cooper is a math tutor in Chesapeake’s Academic Support Center.

“It was interesting to see that many of NASA’s employees come through community colleges,” Mr. Cooper said.  “The experience showed us that you can start at a two-year college and end up exactly where you to want to be.”

Mr. Cooper began at Chesapeake as a math major, but turned his sights to Information Technology after taking a class with Associate Professor Lanka Elson.  Now he is interested in pursuing a career in computer science and is scheduled to graduate from Chesapeake in May. Mr. Cooper also plans continue his education and earn a bachelor’s degree.