Johnson Envoys Inspires Artemis Generation

by Sumer Loggins | 2023-02-22

NASA's Johnson Space Center recognizes the importance of partnerships with universities to advance a bold new era of space exploration. In 2020, the External Relations Office (ERO), under the leadership of Arturo Sanchez, established the university envoy initiative, a proactive strategic approach to engage with selected universities. Nineteen priority universities were selected based on alignment with Johnson’s technology and development needs and the number of alums, among other factors. These selections are reviewed annually to keep the selections relevant.

ERO created a diverse cohort of 65 envoys, Johnson civil servants who graduated from chosen universities. The envoys serve in roles referred to as micro-details, representing a range of grade levels with diverse backgrounds and experiences. University envoys spend approximately 8 hours each month engaging with students, advocating for NASA and their alma mater, and sharing information on NASA opportunities and resources.

The envoy initiative enhances space research and technology collaborations, promotes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) engagement, and creates lasting and effective partnerships with key universities. Dr. Kam Lulla, director of University Collaboration & Partnerships, says, "The envoys are a force multiplier for university engagements and inspiring the Artemis Generation. One of the key strategic components was to harness the energies and enthusiasm of alumni of universities employed at Johnson, and that's how the university envoy initiative was born."

*TAMU envoys convene a welcoming gathering for incoming students. Credits: TAMU envoys*

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Expanding Frontiers With Leading Universities

Meaningful relationships, along with emerging technology and a passion for exploration, will lead the Artemis Generation to the next milestone of discovery. Envoys at TAMU had the opportunity to support the on-campus Artemis Panel Discussion with 500 attendees. TAMU and Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) students joined in on a Federal Resume workshop, Human Resources Planning panel discussion, and a session on NASA internship opportunities with over 650 students. TAMU envoy Mike Evans works closely with students to develop a new lunar surface exploration prototype named Gandalf Staff. He shares, "This expiation tool has the potential to assist astronauts as they conduct lunar surface exploration to locate water-rich regions. This project is a unique blend of our envoy creativity and JSC IRD program and involved over 30 students."

Envoys at PVAMU, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), met with the Dean of Engineering to discuss future initiatives and partnerships that encourage student involvement in engineering and STEM disciplines. PVAMU envoys and HR representatives shared tips and best practices for submitting Pathways and NASA internship applications and offered resume writing workshops and guidance to 75 engineering students.

University of Houston (UH) envoys participated in the UH Internship boot camp and invited faculty to engage in monthly tag-ups. At the University of Michigan, envoys immersed with the Space Institute Director and served on the Industry Advisory board.

From left to right are: NASA human resources partner Rochelle Johnson, PVAMU envoys Amy Fritz and Shirley Holland-Hunt, PVAMU dean of engineering Dr. Pamela Obiomon, and Danielle Johnson. — From left to right are: NASA human resources partner Rochelle Johnson, PVAMU envoys Amy Fritz and Shirley Holland-Hunt, PVAMU dean of engineering Dr. Pamela Obiomon, and NASA technical integrator Danielle Johnson. Credits: PVAMU envoys

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NASA Seeks Bright Minds and Innovative Ideas

Innovation happens when new ideas are encouraged to advance human spaceflight and solve top-priority technology development needs. Envoys are focused on creating strong relationships with partnering universities to accelerate breakthrough technology that accomplishes human exploration goals.

At an envoy gathering in Oct. 2022, Center Director Vanessa Wyche said, "JSC embarked upon a proactive strategic engagement approach with universities by establishing the university envoy initiative almost 2 years ago (2020). I congratulate the envoys for volunteering to serve as the inaugural cohort of JSC envoys at their alma mater. As envoys, they are deepening and strengthening our engagements with select universities by facilitating collaborations in research and technology development and educational initiatives that will enable us to meet our nation's exploration goals and advance human spaceflight as we work to land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon under Artemis."

*Center director Vanessa Wyche and external relations director Arturo Sanchez make opening remarks at the first ever in-person university envoy initiative on Oct. 18, 2022. Credits: NASA*

For more information on University Relations go to, University Collaboration | NASA. If interested in becoming a university envoy, contact Dr. Kam Lulla.