In celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable immigrants and refugees who’ve helped shape America’s vibrant tapestry. Today, we spotlight aerospace engineer, Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne.
Camille Wardrop Alleyne was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1966. At the age of 17, she immigrated to the United States to pursue her education in Washington, D.C.
Alleyne’s fascination with space and aviation from an early age led her to Howard University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering. With high hopes for a career at NASA, she also obtained a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Florida A&M University.
Following her graduation, NASA recruited Alleyne to work as a flight systems engineer at the Kennedy Space Center, where she spent two years before returning to school. She earned her second master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland, a program that brought her to the Missile Defense Agency under the U.S. Department of Defense.
Alleyne’s work with the Department of Defense spanned eight years, providing her with valuable insight into the world of aerospace and aeronautics. Alleyne returned to NASA as a lead system engineer in both the Constellation and Orion programs, making her the first African American to lead a major human space flight program at NASA.
The Constellation and Orion programs led Alleyne to become an associate program scientist for the International Space Station (ISS), where she expanded communication between the ISS and the general public. During her time on the ISS team, she pursued a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Houston.
Alleyne rose in the ranks at NASA, eventually serving as the Assistant Deputy Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, becoming the first Caribbean American woman to hold a senior post in the administration.
Alleyne’s achievements in the aerospace field have earned her several awards and accolades; in 2024, she was honored as one of L’Oréal’s “45 Women who Move the Caribbean” and has received multiple Silver Achievement Medals for her contributions to NASA’s mission.
Alongside her accomplishments at NASA, Alleyne has gained notoriety for her philanthropy. In 2007, she founded The Brightest Stars Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and empowering young women to become leaders in science, mathematics, and technology. Today, she regularly speaks at conferences worldwide, inspiring others to pursue their educational goals.
Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne currently serves as a space and science public diplomat for the U.S. Department of State Speaker’s Program.
Others we are celebrating in honor of Caribbean American Heritage Month:
2025
Winome Earle-Sears, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
Lisa Dunkley, Florida State Representative