Finding her place among the stars
AAE junior Olivia DeScipio went from feeling like an outsider to excelling in her pursuit of a career in human spaceflight and STEM outreach
When Olivia DeScipio arrived on campus as a freshman, she was the only student from her small high school near Scranton, Pennsylvania, to ever attend Purdue. She knew no one, felt intimidated and questioned if she’d made the right decision.
“It seemed as though everyone around me had already accomplished so much and knew exactly where they were headed while I was still trying to figure out where I fit,” said DeScipio, now a junior in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
The turning point was joining Purdue Engineering Student Council (PESC) during her first semester. There, she found her people: a community of like-minded yet diverse students who were united by the common goal of service and motivated to make a difference. It wasn’t long before imposter syndrome was in her rear-view mirror, and she began to feel like she truly belonged.
“Through PESC, I found incredible mentorship, friendship and guidance that helped Purdue feel less overwhelming and more like a place I could see myself thrive,” she said. “I was uplifted and empowered to approach Purdue head-on knowing that I had a support system alongside me.”
Finding her stride
Early on, it was easy to compare herself to peers, who already were pursuing research, internships or highly technical extracurriculars, and feel like she was behind, but she soon realized that pursuing the opportunities that she genuinely cared about made her feel the most fulfilled.
She has built a Purdue experience that feels true to herself — growing technically and professionally through internships with Woodward Inc. and United Airlines, while also prioritizing service, outreach and leadership.
As assistant director of groups for Purdue Space Day, she helps expose more than 500 third- through eighth-graders to STEM in a hands-on, fun and engaging way outside of a typical classroom setting. She also loves being part of an organization that brings together hundreds of student volunteers from dozens of majors and clubs around campus.
“This will be my third Purdue Space Day, and every year, seeing the number of Purdue students who are willing to come together and make the event possible is incredibly inspiring,” she said.
This year’s event will be held on Oct. 31 and will feature Boilermaker astronaut Mark Brown (BSAAE ‘73). “I can’t wait to see Elliott Hall filled once again. It is exactly the kind of experience I wish I had had as a kid, which makes it incredibly meaningful to now provide that experience for the next generation.”
She was so inspired by her experience with Purdue Space Day that she introduced a similar camp in her hometown and designed it “from the perspective of a little me who couldn’t wait to learn, create, ask questions and experiment.” She wrote the curriculum, created her own activities and games, and organized all supplies and lesson plans.
Learning from the best
In spring 2026, she was named a Brooke Owens Fellow — a highly selective honor she had dreamed about since the age of 15. “Brookies” are teamed with mentors, and they gain skills and confidence to thrive in the aerospace industry and join a lifelong network of peers and supporters.
“Having the opportunity to learn from, be inspired by, and grow alongside such incredible people and hopefully pass that same inspiration on to others has made this experience more relevant than I ever could have imagined,” she said.
DeScipio has had no shortage of female mentors since starting college. Through Purdue Old Masters, she met astronaut Audrey Powers (BSAAE ‘99). Hosting Powers “changed the way I viewed my own place in the industry,” DeScipio said. “She was incredibly authentic about the challenges and unexpected turns throughout her career and showed me that success does not require having a perfectly defined path.”
DeScipio also scored a seat in the graduate-level human spaceflight course taught by astronaut Beth Moses (BSAAE ‘92, MSAAE ‘94), who joined the faculty this semester as an associate professor of engineering practice in AAE. “There is something so unique about learning about the latest developments and possibilities in human spaceflight from someone who is actively living and shaping its future,” she said.
Learning from both women has been “similarly incredible,” she said. “They have shown me that there are so many ways to build a meaningful career in space. I hope one day I can provide that same example for another young girl looking toward a future in aerospace.”
Fueled by dual passions
Growing up, DeScipio was enamored by momentous historical milestones in space. She was fascinated by the Space Shuttle program and loved studying the Apollo missions.
“Now, with new programs like Artemis working toward the ambitious goal of returning humans to the Moon and beyond, and the growth of commercial spaceflight, it feels like we are entering an entirely new era of innovation and advancement,” she said. “The possibility of a future where human spaceflight becomes more accessible and commonplace no longer feels quite so far away.”
DeScipio said she’d go to space “any day” if offered the chance, but becoming an astronaut is not the only way she envisions contributing to the aerospace industry. At Purdue, thanks to her participation and enthusiasm for STEM outreach, advocacy and communication, her vision has grown beyond the technical side.
“My dream career would allow me to bring those two passions together: contributing directly to the future of human spaceflight while continuing to advocate for STEM and inspire the scientists, astronauts and engineers of the future,” she said.
This fall, Purdue gained a second person from North Pocono High School: DeScipio’s brother, Gabe. Her best advice for him? “Get involved! Purdue has so many incredible opportunities for students both inside and outside the classroom. I encourage him to put himself out there and meet people even when it feels intimidating.”
Based on her own initial insecurities, she also has recommendations for freshmen and prospective students.
“Don’t let comparison make you feel like you are behind or any less capable than the people around you,” she said. “If you are here, you have already earned your spot in the room. Everyone finds their place and passions differently, and you don’t need to have everything figured out the moment you arrive.”
As for herself, DeScipio’s vision for the future may be broader than when she first arrived at Purdue, she said, “but at its core, it is still driven by the same fascination with space that first sparked my curiosity for the stars when I was 9 years old.”