Executive Memo: Faith, NASA, and Self-Worth

TO: Dr. Naia Butler-Craig (Aerospace Engineer & Scientist at the NASA Glenn Research Center)

FROM: Dr. Eli Joseph & Dr. Janice Gassam Asare

RECORDING DATE: July 10, 2026, at 1 PM EST

RELEASE DATE: August 3, 2026

EPISODE TITLE: A Rocket Scientist’s Anchor: Faith, NASA, and Self-Worth

Editor’s Note: The Academic Boardroom’s episodic memoranda publish the full scope of our internal preparatory research, core market data, and targeted queries before recording. Some of the questions documented before our recording may have been modified or omitted from our episode.

Narrative Overview

Dr. Naia Butler-Craig’s professional career is the intersection of cutting-edge aerospace engineering, working for the federal government in space exploration, and advocating for structural equity in the field and at institutions of higher learning; she exemplifies the high return on investment that occupationally experienced technical talent can deliver when combined with an organization’s commitment to equity through the implementation of an effective diversity strategy. Dr. Butler-Craig has established herself as an accomplished aerospace engineer and as a graduate research fellow at NASA as well as a Pathways-level employee at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, where she was a part of the Space Science and Technology Systems division; her academic and work path integrates specifically into highly focused technical environments while representing an example of how personnel can help to bridge the gap between advanced engineering and critical technologies used in space missions. The breadth of Dr. Butler-Craig’s experience in aerospace engineering can be highlighted by her work incorporating advanced electric propulsion, Hall-effect thrusters, and hollow cathode plasma diagnostics.

This episode will explore the multi-faceted nature of her journey while also showing how excellence in technical fields at NASA and advocacy work in social fields are both possible together and can contribute to one another’s success. We will make connections between the demanding world of advanced rocket propulsion technology, the requirement for workforce readiness, the need for transformation of institutions and systems that support diversity in STEM, as well as the impact that these same institutions and systems have on limited representation in these same fields.

Dr. Butler-Craig’s journey will provide a roadmap for changing the way established institutions support, retain, and promote talent.

Moreover, we will also talk about contemporary social and scientific conversations as we discuss current societal concerns about the Artemis program and its value to society through returning to the Moon. Dr. Butler-Craig will provide perspectives from being a researcher, public communicator, and astronautical engineer to give participants a greater understanding of how to connect high-level technical knowledge to everyday practical application and provide motivation for the next generations of engineers, educators, and leaders in space.

Possible Questions to Consider for Our Conversation

Section 1: The Journey & Technical Excellence

1. Childhood Sparks: As you reflect on your youth, what are some things you remember about growing up that ignited your passion for aerospace engineering and space exploration?
2. The Path to a Doctorate: Please describe your journey obtaining a doctorate at Georgia Tech. What were the highlights of each milestone, and what challenges did you face along the way?
3. The NASA Experience: How did your experience working at NASA’s Glenn Research Center impact your research focus? How have you balanced federal space center requirements while pursuing a doctoral degree?
4. Research vs. Outreach: How do you balance the intense, highly technical demands of electric propulsion research with your active commitment to public outreach and advocacy?

Section 2: Dismantling the “Institutional Anchor” & Structural Equity

5. Structural Friction: What are some of the systemic barriers or structural frictions you have observed within legacy scientific institutions, and how can we effectively dismantle them to remove the “institutional anchor” holding back underrepresented talent?
6. Workforce Readiness: How can universities and federal agencies like NASA better bridge advanced engineering theory with practical, real-world workforce readiness?
7. The Power of Networks: What role did mentorship, programs like the McNair Scholars or GEM Fellowship, and strategic networks play in supporting you through the rigorous milestones of your doctoral program?

Section 3: The Artemis Era, Public Skepticism, and Future Horizons

1. Navigating Space Skepticism: There is notable public skepticism today surrounding the Artemis program and the immense cost of lunar exploration. As a scientist and public communicator, how do you address critics who argue these resources should be kept on Earth, and how do we better communicate the “Earthly ROI” of deep-space technology?
2. Future Horizons: Looking ahead, what upcoming projects in space technology and propulsion are you most excited about at NASA Glenn, and how can we ensure the future of space exploration is structurally inclusive?
3. Mindset for the Next Generation: For an aspiring engineer or future mission specialist from an underrepresented background, what are some practical strategies for maintaining personal peace of mind and sustained focus in competitive, high-stakes environments?