Glenn Medina
Aerospace Engineering | Coral Springs, Florida | NASA Internship
Growing up in Coral Springs, Florida, Glenn Medina could stand in his driveway and watch rockets launch. His parents even named him after astronaut John Glenn, and he’s always had his sights set on being an aerospace engineer.
Medina’s goal is to become an astronaut, and this summer he will take another step toward that as he interns with NASA before starting graduate school at the University of Maryland in the fall. When Medina learned he achieved a goal of interning at NASA, he “legitimately screamed” and woke up both of his parents.
“That was something I had been chasing for a very long time. To do something that you had your eyes set on since you were literally a child, it’s just a completely different feeling,” Medina explained. “I also feel like my years at OU and the work I put in was all worth it.”
“To do something that you had your eyes set on since you were literally a child, it’s just a completely different feeling."
- Glenn Medina
Medina will be researching drones at NASA, and he said this opportunity is in line with what he will most likely be researching in grad school as well. After finishing his graduate degree, Medina hopes to secure a position at NASA or another aerospace company or maybe complete his Ph.D.
Since his sophomore year, Medina has been involved with research on campus. Most recently, he worked with a partner to improve the capabilities of a wind tunnel on campus to help future students with learning about aerodynamics. Medina, who plays snare drum, also participated in the Pride of Oklahoma, basketball band, and concert band, and even served as drum captain as a junior. He is also a member of Tau Beta Bi, an engineering honor society, and Sigma Gamma Tau, an aerospace engineering honor society, and participated on the Design, Build, Fly team for his capstone course. After his junior year, he interned with the Air Force in Virginia.
As a goal setter, Medina said he’s found faculty and staff members at OU who genuinely want to help students achieve their dreams.
“Whether it’s helping you submit graduate school applications, writing your letters of rec, or ensuring that you will succeed in undergrad with research and things like that, they will help prepare you for that next step,” Medina stated. “The whole community in general is always there to help you and wants to see you achieve your goals and will help you in any way they can.”
