Engineering Graduate Lands NASA Job

Capozza programs fire detection and suppression systems for space station's moon orbit

Dallas Capozza

Why did you choose to attend Colorado Mountain College?

I wanted to find a community college in Colorado that assisted with living. It turned out Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs had that as well as my major! (I started out going for physics and then switched to engineering.)

Who was your favorite professor at CMC? Why?

I couldn’t chose a favorite. I am so grateful for Steve Craig, Paul McCudden, and Joyce Treulieb. All three of those professors had my back and pushed me to my success. Joyce helped me understand math, Steve inspired me to go into engineering, and if it wasn’t for Paul I never would have made it to NASA.

Where do you currently work? How has CMC prepared you for life after college?

I currently work at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston Texas. I work in the Crew and Thermal Systems Division in the Life Support Systems branch. I am writing the code for an autonomous fire detection and suppression system. This will be used for the space station called Gateway that is going to orbit the moon. CMC has helped me with a better work ethic ( I worked three jobs as an RA and two work study jobs) as well as a better school ethic for going to get my bachelor’s degree.

What advice would you give a prospective student considering your major?

Get involved in anything and everything! Colorado Mountain College was the most involved school I have ever attended, which made it my absolute favorite. Going to school there didn’t feel like a chore or a bummer. Being involved made it exciting to wake up and go to class every day.