For Samantha Hudson ’21, curiosity and resilience have always gone hand in hand. From studying physics at Hiram College to helping operate some of the world’s most advanced spaceflight systems at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Hudson has built a career fueled by teamwork, determination, and a willingness to try new things. 

Originally from Strongsville, Hudson transferred to Hiram in the middle of her sophomore year. She was searching for a college where she could continue playing soccer while pursuing physics and math in a more personalized academic environment. 

“I knew I wanted to study physics and engineering, but I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with the physics degree I was starting,” Hudson said. “I needed a place where my professors could get to know me and I could be myself.” 

Hiram’s dual-degree engineering program proved to be the perfect fit. Hudson appreciated being able to jump directly into upper-level courses while balancing athletics and academics. 

“With that sort of foundation and home base, I was empowered to grow, learn, and try new things,” she said. 

Hudson earned her bachelor’s degree in physics from Hiram in 2021 before completing the dual-degree engineering program with Washington University in St. Louis, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2022. 

Hiram allowed me to pursue my athletic and academic passions and showed me that I can do both, Hudson said. I also learned some hard lessons while balancing the demands of athletics and academics at Hiram that ultimately taught me to take better care of myself. I am a better flight controller and a happier person for having learned those lessons.

Reaching for the Stars at NASA 

Today, Hudson lives in Houston and works as a flight controller at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. In her role, she is certified to perform Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) operations for both the International Space Station (ISS) and the Space Launch System (SLS) used in the Artemis missions. 

“The universe is just so vast, and I am so fortunate that I get to play a small role in exploring it,” Hudson said. 

Hudson first certified as a flight controller in 2024 after completing two years of training to become an Attitude Determination and Control Officer, or ADCO for the ISS. She has spent the past two years operating the station as a “front room” flight controller, where she reports directly to the Flight Director as the representative for the US Motion Control System. 

Since then, she has gone on to support the Motion Control Group as a subject matter expert for Russian and US GNC flight software and as a backup ADCO flight lead for Commercial Resupply Missions 31 and 33. Commercial Resupply Missions are a joint effort between NASA and SpaceX. 

In 2025, Hudson completed another major milestone by earning her “back room” certification for Artemis II operations, operating the GNC for the Artemis II flight. 

Artemis I flew in 2022 as a successful uncrewed test flight around the moon and back. Artemis II flew in spring 2026. It sent astronauts around the moon and was the first time humans were in proximity of the moon since the Apollo missions. 

Prior to the Artemis II launch, Hudson shared, “As a team, we operate the GNC systems for SLS. We’ve already completed one wet dress rehearsal for the upcoming Artemis II flight and continue working closely with colleagues at Kennedy Space Center as they prepare the rocket for more ground tests and launch.” 

Lessons Learned in the Classroom and Beyond 

While Hudson’s career has taken her far from Hiram’s campus, she credits many of her experiences at the College for shaping the person and professional she is today. 

One of the most influential figures during her time at Hiram was Dr. Mark Taylor. 

“While I enjoyed many of the physics classes and labs, our Quantum Mechanics class was a very different story,” Hudson shares. “To this day, I think of that class and know that if I could get through that class, I can get through anything.” 

She remembers long hours spent working through difficult problem sets with classmates and visiting office hours where Taylor patiently explained challenging concepts. “Physics taught me that if you are willing to sit with a struggle and grapple with what you don’t understand, you can often find a way through,” she said. 

Hudson also expresses gratitude for the study abroad trip she took to China. She stepped outside her comfort zone and gained new perspectives on our world. She adds, “It’s been especially important as I now work with a global set of colleagues that operate the ISS!” 

Another pivotal experience came through a Phi Beta Kappa lecture on campus featuring Flight Director Dr. Bob Dempsey. During the lecture, Dempsey spoke less about technical expertise and more about teamwork, responsibility, and resilience. Hudson shares her epiphany: “I now know that he was teaching us the foundations of flight operations, but that day all I could think about was how all the skills he described, I was learning and doing at Hiram everyday—on the soccer field, in clubs in jobs, and in the classroom. That was one of the first times that I saw someone in my industry that made me think, ‘I could do that too… And maybe I even want to.” 

A Community That Lasts Beyond Graduation 

Outside the classroom, Hudson embraced campus life as a member of the women’s soccer team, a campus tour guide, Welcome Desk employee, and Student Senate athletics representative. 

“I directly contribute the toughness and discipline I have at my current job to all my years on the soccer field,” Hudson said. 

She also treasures quieter Hiram memories: hiking at the Field Station, late-night study sessions at the Bistro, campus bingo nights, and dinners shared with friends in the townhouses. 

Now several years removed from college, Hudson says Hiram helped instill empathy, curiosity, and resilience — values she continues to carry into both her personal and professional life. 

In May 2025, Hudson married her husband, Stephen Barney, alongside their dog Franklin, who greeted guests at the wedding. After overcoming multiple hip surgeries following her soccer career, she has returned to playing competitively in NASA’s Johnson Space Center soccer league. 

Advice for Current Students 

For current Hiram students, Hudson offers simple advice: 

“Don’t be afraid to try. Some things will work out, some things won’t, but college is the best time to throw ideas at the wall and see what sticks.”