Over spring break, students enrolled in The Engineering Leadership Program, taught by Rudolph Buchheit, Rebecca Burchett Liebert Dean of the Pigman College of Engineering, took their classroom learning to new heights during a four-day trip to Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The trip immersed students in the heart of the nation’s space industry, offering direct access to leaders in aerospace engineering and national security. Through panels, site visits and discussions with industry experts, students explored how leadership principles translate into critical, real-world environments.
The programming kicked off with a keynote address from retired NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy Captain Winston E. Scott, director of operational excellence at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Capt. Scott’s storied career includes over 8,000 hours of flight time in over 25 different aircraft as a research development test and evaluation pilot at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division and two space shuttle missions. As a mission specialist for NASA, he logged over 24 days in space – including 3 spacewalks totaling over 19 hours. His remarks set the tone for a trip focused on navigating complex challenges and leading in dynamic environments.
Throughout the trip, students engaged with leaders across the space and defense sectors, including a space intelligence briefing from U.S. Space Force Major Jasmine Hardin and Specialist 4 Angelina Bertrand. Maj. Hardin, director of intelligence, and Spc. Bertrand currently serve Space Launch Delta 45 and provided students with an inside look at how assessments at strategic, operational and tactical levels support space launch operations and national security.
Industry professionals from BRPH Companies, Space Florida, Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc. and Blue Origin led discussions on engineering careers and the future of space infrastructure. Speakers and panelists explored topics such as launch system development, aerospace construction and the integration of commercial and government space efforts. Students also heard from executives involved in global satellite manufacturing and national security space operations, gaining a broad perspective on leadership across disciplines.
A full day at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex allowed students to experience the history and future of space exploration firsthand. From immersive experiences to behind-the-scenes tours, the visit reinforced classroom discussions with tangible examples of engineering innovation and mission-driven teamwork.
The group also toured Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket factory, where students observed cutting-edge aerospace manufacturing and learned about the complexities of large-scale engineering projects. A subsequent visit to BRPH’s Melbourne, Florida office provided insight into the design and construction processes that support major aerospace facilities.
Nico Ramirez, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, found the insider information the trip provided to be especially rewarding.
“This trip gave me a firsthand look into the rapidly growing and evolving aerospace industry led by private companies,” Ramirez said. “We were able to tour one of Blue Origin's manufacturing facility, where the sheer size and scale of the rockets was amazing to see with my own eyes. Overall, being able to be introduced to such a novel sector of the engineering industry was engaging and exciting.”
The four-day Space Coast experience was made possible through support from BRPH Companies, a technically focused, creative architecture, engineering and construction company.
“I would like to thank BRPH for what they do best—design and build for going above and beyond,” said Buchheit. “The BRPH staff helped us build our visit to the Space Coast by coordinating engagements for our Engineering Leadership students with over a dozen professionals in launch, space operations, logistics, design and construction. Combined with an inspiring tour of the KSC facilities, we had learning experience that could not have been created any other way.”
The experience was also supported by alumni sponsors Rebecca M. Cowen-Hirsch, founder and CEO of Resolute Strategies, and Major General Timothy Byers (Ret.), president of Byers Strategy & Solutions, LLC. Both attended the trip and played active roles throughout, moderating discussions and sharing insights from their extensive leadership careers.
“During this trip, we were able to speak with UK alumni Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch and Tim Byers, who both have had remarkable careers in the national security sector,” said Ramirez. “Hearing their stories was inspiring to me and really showed me what the possibilities are being an engineering graduate from the Pigman College of Engineering.”
By the end of the program, students returned to campus with a deeper understanding of how engineering and leadership intersect in one of the world’s most advanced industries. The capstone experience serves as a cornerstone of the Dean’s Leadership Program, preparing future engineers to lead in complex, global environments.
