Terp Astronaut Jeanette Epps to Deliver 2026 Commencement Address

The University of Maryland announced today that astronaut, aerospace engineer and alumna Jeanette Epps, M.S. ’94, Ph.D. ’00 will deliver the university’s commencement address on Wednesday, May 20. She will speak to Summer 2025, Winter 2025 and Spring 2026 graduates, family and friends during the ceremony at SECU Stadium.

“Dr. Jeanette Epps’ life is driven by fearless determination, and there is no better role model for our graduating class as they step boldly into their futures,” said UMD President Darryll J. Pines. “It is a true honor to welcome her back to Maryland, where so much of her remarkable journey began.”

Born and raised in Syracuse, New York, Epps graduated from Le Moyne College with a bachelor’s degree in physics and earned her Maryland degrees in aerospace engineering. Her time at UMD refined her expertise in rotorcraft research, leading to rewarding opportunities as an engineer at the Ford Motor Co. and a technical intelligence officer with the CIA. 

Epps' adventure with NASA began in 2009 when she was selected as one of 14 candidates to join the 20th class of NASA astronauts. In 2024, Epps spent nearly eight months in orbit as part of NASA’s Expedition 71, SpaceX Crew-8. She served as a flight engineer on the International Space Station, contributing to numerous groundbreaking scientific research projects. She retired from NASA in 2025 after nearly 16 years of service.

“I’m honored to return to the University of Maryland for such a milestone moment,” said Epps. “My time as a Terp helped shape my path, and I look forward to celebrating this year’s graduating class as they take their next steps toward making an impact in the world and, maybe, beyond.”

More details about the campuswide ceremony are available at commencement.umd.edu