Epps, originally from Syracuse, New York, earned her bachelor’s degree in physics in 1992 from LeMoyne College and then went on to complete a master’s degree (1994) and doctorate (2000) at UMD, both in aerospace engineering. She is the first UMD Ph.D. graduate in aerospace engineering to become a NASA astronaut, and the second from the Clark School, after Judith Resnick, an electrical engineer.

An active alumna, Epps has regularly returned to the UMD campus to meet with students and give presentations about her work. "There is no recipe to becoming an astronaut,” Epps told students during one campus visit. Those selected for her class, she said, have backgrounds that include “military, engineering, biology and medical.”

Registration for the event is free. Participants can opt to receive a glow-in-the dark performance tee ($25) with the design reflecting themes of space, engineering and technology, and fitness. Register for the event here.

All participants will be eligible to attend three free virtual fitness classes, offered by UMD mechanical engineering alumna Emily Reichard, who teaches spin and group fitness classes in Alexandria, VA. A certified Mad Dogg spinning and. Power Sculpt instructor, Reichard works to empower her students and help them push past their boundaries.  

Reichard is also cofounder of Kinetic Metrics, bringing her experience as a federal vehicle safety investigator to assist developing companies in understanding federal safety standards.

“We’re really excited to be hosting this unique program,” said Rebecca Kenemuth, WIE’s assistant director of outreach and recruitment. “It started as a small idea for fostering community and connection among students within a virtual learning environment, and quickly grew into one that will also amplify the important role of women in the profession and inspire, engage, and empower the next generation of women engineers.”