“My biggest role model was my father, who always encouraged all his children to pursue academics and find our passion. He was an educator by training, and a carpenter, and I would help him with things like wiring the house. That’s one of the reasons I was inspired to pursue engineering. My mother was also a role model for me. She, too, was an educator, working mom, and was very community oriented. Between both my parents, they were my biggest influences and role models of who I wanted to become as a person.
“Mentorship is very important to me. I’m actively mentoring people today because I know the benefit of having been mentored myself. It’s best for us to share so we can learn from each other. I’ve been very fortunate throughout my career here at NASA, to have other people that were willing to mentor me. It’s a calling for me, and I feel it’s important to give back.”
— Vanessa Wyche, Director, Johnson Space Center
Image Credit: NASA / Bill Stafford
Interviewer: NASA / Thalia Patrinos