Paul D. Camp Community College student Nyjah Silver, 18, will join an elite community in October at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton.

The NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars program affords students the opportunity to learn about NASA research and missions during an online course, which included a final project.

“That was really fun and through research, exposed me to a lot of information I had not previously known,” said Silver about the project. Students also have the opportunity during the course to chat online with NASA engineers and scientists.

“There are two parts to the program,” explained Silver. “To qualify for the first part, which was the online portion, I had to complete an application process similar to what you would do to apply for a scholarship. For the second part, which I will attend this fall, you are selected depending on your performance during the online course portion.”

Silver will attend the four-day experience Oct. 7-11. She will work alongside a NASA scientist or engineer and participate in a rover competition. “I am so excited about this opportunity,” she said. “My career goal is to actually work at NASA one day as a computer and/or aerospace engineer.”

Currently, Silver is working on her associate degree in computer science at Camp but plans to transfer to a four-year university to study computer and aerospace engineering. “I want to keep working to earn my Ph.D. as well,” she said.

At the time she earned her diploma from Smithfield High School, she received a certificate for the Early College Scholars Program, as she had completed the required amount of college credits through Camp’s dual enrollment courses. Also at Camp, she was inducted into the college’s chapter of The National Society of Leadership and Success. She also serves as a mentor to youth at Dawn of Phoenix Dance Company in Carrollton, a non-profit organization that empowers youth through leadership, community service and contemporary dance.

“I can’t wait to get a behind-the-scenes look at NASA and find out what it is like to be part of this program,” said Silver.

For more information about the NCAS, visit go.nasa.gov/ncas.