The Maricopa Community College District announced director of Global Futures Institutes, Astronaut in Residence, and former Maricopa Community Colleges faculty member Dr. Sian Proctor has been selected to serve on the prestigious National Space Council’s User Advisory Group.

Pending official appointment by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the selected thirty UAG members will advise the Biden-Harris Administration on maintaining a robust and responsible U.S. space enterprise and preserving space for current and future generations.

“We commend Dr. Proctor on this incredible accomplishment of being selected to serve on the UAG. As a geoscience professor with decades of experience, she brings invaluable knowledge and insight to this critical advisory role,” said MCCCD Chancellor, Dr. Steven R. Gonzales. “This appointment is an honor and a testament not only to Dr. Proctor, but also to MCCCD’s commitment and dedication to providing students with world-class opportunities in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.”

The announcement was made by Vice President Kamala Harris, who serves as chair of the National Space Council. The UAG hosts thirty members providing the National Space Council advice and recommendations on matters related to space policy and strategy, including but not limited to government policies, laws, regulations, treaties, international instruments, programs, and practices across the civil, commercial, international, and national security space sectors.

In September 2021, Proctor became a pioneer in space exploration after undertaking the world’s first civilian orbital mission – SpaceX’s Inspiration4. Not only did she achieve this incredible feat, but her historic journey also shattered barriers as she was the first African American woman to pilot an all-civilian mission.