His career spans over 40 years with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, working on projects such as the International Space Station, the Space Shuttle and the Artemis Human Lander.
Now retired since January 2024, the engineer has written a memoir covering his life’s journey from the little boy growing up in an impoverished Corpus Christi neighborhood to reaching unexpected heights working on the world’s most advanced space exploration among NASA professionals.
On Wednesday, Nov. 5, Del Mar College Continuing Education presents an inspiring morning seminar with author George Salazar, who will share his motivating story that he explores in “From the Barrio to NASA: Navigating Life’s Unexpected Challenges.” The FREE three-hour event is scheduled from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Tres Grace Community Room in the Culinary Arts Building on the Oso Creek Campus and will include a book signing opportunity for those who attend with a copy of Salazar’s book. (Get a copy on Amazon.)
During his career, Salazar received numerous awards, including the NASA Silver Achievement Medal, John F. Kennedy Astronautics Award and the NASAQ-Johnson Space Center Engineering Directorate Legacy Award for his contributions to human spaceflight. Other credits include co-authoring several technical papers on spacecraft design, systems engineering and Human Systems Integration.
Having attended courses at Del Mar College but graduating from North Harris County College, Salazar received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Houston and a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from Southern Methodist University. His passion is sharing knowledge with students—reaching out to well over 19,000 students through speaking engagements, tutoring and mentoring. The author will share that passion during his speaking engagement at Del Mar College, and as noted on Amazon’s book review, “Salazar’s story proves that where you start doesn’t define where you’ll finish.” This event is open to the public.
• Wednesday, Nov. 5, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Morning Seminar and Book Signing with Corpus Christi Native, Retired NASA Engineer and Book Author George Salazar.
• Location: Tres Grace Community Room, second floor, Culinary Arts Building, DMC Oso Creek Campus, 7002 Yorktown Blvd. (78414), get online directions and campus map.
• Cost: free.
• Questions? Contact Continuing Education staff member Christina Campos at 361-698-2156 or ccampos47@delmar.edu.