WYOMISSING, Pa. — NASA astronaut Eileen Collins, the first female to pilot a U.S. spacecraft with the Discovery shuttle flight in 1995, will reveal encouraging perspectives and insights on the leadership skills needed to break barriers and become a successful pioneer in any field when she speaks at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium at Penn State Berks. This event is free and open to the public.
One of the country’s most admired women, Collins was the first female commander on the 1999 Columbia shuttle flight. In 2005, NASA tapped her to command the space shuttle Discovery’s historic “Return to Flight” mission, NASA’s first manned flight following the loss of the space shuttle Columbia in 2003.
While logging 872 hours in space, Collins earned a reputation for poise under pressure. With that same calm demeanor, she shares how her career as an astronaut took shape, from her early years in the U.S. Air Force to her ground-breaking experience with NASA. Drawing from her career experiences, Collins reveals valuable insights learned from both her successes and her failures. From the importance of working with others to achieve lofty goals, to successful leadership in dynamic environments, her perspective inspires others to embark on their own unique journeys.
Penn State Berks reserves the right to limit the photography and/or recording of any program. The permitted or prohibited activities during a particular program will be announced at the beginning of the event and/or included in the printed program. All media requesting interviews and/or access to photograph and/or tape any program must contact the Office of Strategic Communications at 610-396-6053.
This event is sponsored by the Penn State Berks Arts and Lecture series. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076.