Just one month after graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), Jenny Christen has stepped into a role at the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC). As an Operations and Business Intelligence Analyst, she helps secure the space domain—tracking threats and hazards from ground to orbit. Her work blends operational strategy, analytics and process automation.
“Getting to learn even more about data science beyond my classroom education and being creative in both my solutions and processes is very exciting,” Jenny said. “Unlike a school assignment, real world problems are ever evolving and so the solution must be both actionable and dynamic.”
She said she feels fortunate to be a part of a mission that’s as meaningful as it is innovative, all with the help of the supportive team and inspiring leadership at Space ISAC.
Jenny said she was immersed in STEM learning from a young age. She grew up in Littleton, Colorado and was homeschooled in what she described as a wonderful and fulfilling childhood.
“I chose to go to UCCS after my family moved to Colorado Springs, and I knew the College of Engineering was the place for me,” Jenny said. “I settled on the Data Analytics and Systems Engineering (DASE) because it was a great mix of math and coding.”
Jenny said she was also drawn to the welcoming and beautiful campus at UCCS. Throughout her four years at the university, she found community and support as an active member and officer of the Asian Pacific Islander Student Union (APISU), and said it was a cornerstone of her college experience. Her faculty advisor and favorite professor, William Michael, Ph.D., was an especially influential figure in her academic journey.
“He offered help, guidance, and encouragement when I needed it most,” she said.
But Jenny’s path wasn’t without obstacles. Just before beginning her freshman semester, her father suffered a traumatic brain injury that required emergency surgery.
“Thankfully, he recovered and was able to regain all his mobility,” she said. “However, the medical bill was exorbitant. I decided to put my first semester on hold until we were able to pay that bill.”
After a few years of working, she was able to start her first semester in the fall of 2021. Jenny said she received many scholarships while in school, but the most notable was the KPWE (Karen Possehl) Scholarship which provides crucial financial aid and mentorship to post-traditional UCCS students embarking on or resuming their educational journeys after overcoming significant personal challenges.
Given the chance to offer advice to current and future UCCS students, Jenny said it’s key to not be intimidated by what may seem like a monumental task.
“Build your support network. Ask for help. Work with others,” she encouraged. “And when an opportunity arises, grab it with both hands. You never know when one can change your life!”