Leland Melvin is an engineer, educator, and former NASA astronaut who was also a wide receiver in college before being drafted by NFL.

He served on board the Space Shuttle Atlantis as a mission specialist on mission STS-122 (2008) and STS-129 (2009), helping to construct the International Space Station.
Subsequently, he led NASA Education and co-chaired the White House’s Federal Coordination in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Education Task Force, developing the nation’s 5-year STEM education plan.

His 2017 memoir, Chasing Space: An Astronaut's Story of Grit, Grace, and Second Chances, shares his life story as an athlete, astronaut, scientist, engineer, photographer, and musician in order to help inspire the next generation of explorers to pursue STEAM careers.

Leland Melvin
7 p.m. Thursday, October 5
Conversation, Main Theatre, UAlbany Performing Arts Center
1400 Washington Avenue
Albany NY 12222
Registration required: https://www.alumni.albany.edu/Bunshaft_Lecture_23

Presented by the Albert Bunshaft ’80 and Caryn Bunshaft ’82 Lecture Endowment, Alumni Association, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Honors College, Office of Student Affairs, NYS Writers Institute, and University Auxiliary Services.