From sketching classroom projects to preparing for spaceflight, Jeneè Fox's journey proves that the path to the stars can begin closer to home than you think.
Originally drawn to architecture, Fox chose SOWELA Technical Community College's Drafting and Design program because of its supportive, smaller setting. “I love SOWELA. It's amazing and really brought me into the community,” she said. "It gave me confidence and built me up with mentorship and support."
At SOWELA, Fox spent extra time experimenting with 3D modeling. Her instructor noticed her passion and encouraged her to “dream bigger than what was in the classroom." That side project sparked a curiosity that eventually propelled her into aerospace programs and beyond.
After completing her associate's degree, Fox transferred into a bachelor's program in engineering. She spent a decade working in mechanical and ship design before moving into database management for power plants at Entergy. But Fox has never been one to stop at "good enough."
"I got bored and decided to apply to the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences," she laughed. She was accepted, and soon after, the path to becoming an astronaut began to take shape.
Most recently, Fox was named an astronaut candidate by Titans Space Industries, a space tourism company led by veteran NASA astronaut Bill McArthur. She is scheduled to take an orbital flight in 2029, where she will also contribute to FAA air regulation efforts. In addition, she works as a technical advisor for spacesuit design, drafting specialized suits for different missions. "The basic core skills I learned at SOWELA carried me to where I am today," Fox shared.
Even while reaching for the stars, Fox continues to climb here on Earth. This summer, she was promoted to Senior Lead Technical Support Specialist at Entergy. But her focus is always on what comes next. “The most exciting thing for me is the next experiment,” she said. “Even if I fail, I learn. That's the scientific method. There's not really one dream job-it's just the same skills in a different format."
Her advice to others? “Try, test and reflect. Don't wait for the perfect opportunity to appear. Take steps to explore, and the path becomes clear as you walk it."
Fox's journey is a powerful reminder that the skills you build today can open doors you never imagined tomorrow. For her, those doors just happen to lead straight into outerspace.
