In a remarkable collaboration aiming to enhance the understanding of astronomy, the NASA Community College Network (NCCN) and the American Astronomical Society (AAS) have launched a commendable program that connects prominent astronomy researchers with community colleges across the United States. This initiative promises to bring cutting-edge astronomical knowledge directly into classrooms, offering students an invaluable opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field.
The initiative is part of the Harlow Shapley Visiting Lectureship Program, a long-standing effort that dates back to the 1950s. Named after the renowned astronomer Harlow Shapley, this program was initially designed to support scientists in delivering a series of lectures related to astronomy at various colleges and universities. These lectures were often accompanied by public talks aimed at engaging the local community. In 2024, the AAS expanded the reach of the Shapley lectureship by partnering with the NCCN. This collaboration seeks to extend the program’s impact to community colleges, leveraging NCCN’s robust network of 260 instructors spread across 44 states and 120 participating Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). This strategic partnership is a significant step towards "matchmaking" these colleges with astronomers, ensuring that students have access to top-tier educational resources.
Since its inception in 2020, NCCN has been a vital supporter of astronomy education at community colleges. These institutions play a crucial role in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, with a notable proportion of their students being the first in their families to attend college. Additionally, a significant number of community college students juggle part-time studies with work and family responsibilities. Considering that up to 40% of students enrolled in introductory astronomy courses nationwide each year attend community colleges, the importance of NCCN’s mission and its collaboration with AAS becomes quite evident.
The partnership has already borne fruit, with the pilot collaboration in 2024 successfully pairing two community colleges—Chattanooga State Community College in Tennessee and Modesto Junior College in California—with esteemed SMEs from the University of Virginia and Stanford University. Building on this success, 2025 sees nine NCCN subject matter experts engaging with 14 community colleges across six states. These institutions include:
- Joe Masiero from Caltech, visiting Grossmont Community College in California
- Vivian U from Caltech, engaged with Scottsdale and Chandler Gilbert Community Colleges in Arizona
- Dave Leisawitz from NASA and Michael Foley from Harvard, visiting Elgin Community College in Illinois
- Michael Rutkowski from Minnesota State, collaborating with Dallas Area Colleges (spanning five colleges) in Texas
- Joe Masiero again, visiting Mt. San Jacinto College, Menifee Campus in California
- Quyen Hart from the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), at Casper College in Wyoming
- Nathan McGregor from the University of California, Santa Cruz, visiting Yakima Valley College in Washington
- Patrick Miller from Hardin-Simmons University, engaging with Evergreen Valley College in California
- Kim Arcand from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, visiting Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland
- Natasha Batalha from NASA, reconnecting with Modesto Junior College in California
Each visit by an AAS Shapley Lecturer is crafted uniquely. The highlight of these visits is the public Shapley Lecture, a highly anticipated event that is extensively promoted within the local community. Beyond the lecture itself, host institutions organize a variety of activities to maximize the lecturer’s presence. These activities may include star-gazing events, classroom interactions, and meetings with college deans and faculty, all aimed at enriching the learning experience and fostering a greater appreciation for astronomy.
James Espinosa, an astronomy instructor at Weatherford College, shared his positive experiences, stating that the visit of a Shapley Lecturer made a lasting impact on his teaching methods. He noted, “The visit has permanently changed how my classes will be taught, as ‘honors’ projects will now be available for ambitious students. I intend to maintain contact with the lecturer for many years, which will greatly benefit our current and future students.”
Dr. Tom Rice, the AAS Education Program Manager and the lead on the partnership with NCCN, expressed his enthusiasm for the program. He remarked, “The AAS’s Harlow Shapley Visiting Lectureship Program stands as one of the most effective ways for astronomers to share our scientific understanding with the broadest possible audience. I am immensely proud that we have partnered with the SETI Institute and NASA to bring astronomers to their network of community colleges.”
The NCCN initiative is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number 80NSSC21M0009 and forms part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. This portfolio connects NASA science experts with community leaders, facilitating scientific engagement and promoting a deeper understanding of our world and the universe beyond. For more details on how Science Activation is making a difference, you can visit NASA’s dedicated page on the program here.
This collaboration between NCCN and AAS is more than just a series of lectures; it is a bridge to a world of knowledge that offers students an unprecedented opportunity to engage with the wonders of the universe. By bringing the expertise of distinguished astronomers into the heart of community colleges, the program is not only enriching educational experiences but also inspiring a new generation of astronomers and scientists who may one day lead us to new discoveries. This initiative underscores the importance of accessible education and highlights the crucial role community colleges play in shaping the future of STEM fields.
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