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John Herrington Mentor + Naval Aviator + Astronaut + Educator

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Featured on the International Air and Space Hall of Fame and the National Native American Hall of Fame, John Herrington’s road to success was carved out of the trials and tribulations of his early life. A meritorious Naval Aviator who later became the first Indigenous person to venture into space, Herrington is an expert at transforming audiences—inspiring them to find the perseverance, “ancestral purpose”, and resilience required to overcome any obstacle.

A dynamic dreamer proudly hailing from the Chickasaw Nation, John Herrington’s vivid imagination was engrossed by the starry Oklahoma skies and the rising popularity of stories about space in the 1960s. Turning cardboard boxes into space shuttles and flying with his father at the age of 10, Herrington set out to create the trajectory for his future self on his own terms.

Even with a long list of distinctions, Herrington’s journey to success in his aviation career was not always linear. Restless and unmotivated in his first year of college, Herrington pivoted his interest to rock climbing—a captivation which took him through the Colorado mountains as a survey member and catalyzed the rediscovery of his love for learning. 

With a new momentum, Herrington returned to the University of Colorado and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics in 1983—but this was just the very beginning of his pursuits. John would later earn his Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and a PhD in Education from the University of Idaho in 2014.

His exemplary service and talents as a Naval Aviator garnered the attention of NASA in 1996 when he was selected as an astronaut. Boarding the space shuttle STS-113 Endeavour in 2002 with the Chickasaw Nation’s flag, John honoured his tribe and became the first Indigenous person to venture into space. 

Seeing the world from the edge of a space station, John Herrington was enamoured by how remarkable yet truly delicate nature is. This passion has followed him through a cross-country bike ride in 2008, backcountry skiing, and awe-inspiring film productions like National Geographic’s “Inside Hubble’s Final Mission” and “Into America’s Wild”. Though Herrington has retired from NASA, his mission to inspire courage into the hearts of those around him continues; John mentors the aspiring leaders of tomorrow as a board member of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), and has published a children’s book entitled “Mission to Space”.

Currently, Herrington serves as an ambassador for the Chickasaw Nation bringing a passion for education and mentorship to his work with young Indigenous people. John continually seeks to motivate and engage Native American youth in STEM education.  John Herrington resides in Montana, has two children and enjoys flying, snow skiing, and cycling.

A dynamic dreamer proudly hailing from the Chickasaw Nation, John Herrington’s vivid imagination was engrossed by the starry Oklahoma skies and the rising popularity of stories about space in the 1960s. Turning cardboard boxes into space shuttles and flying with his father at the age of 10, Herrington set out to create the trajectory for his future self on his own terms.

Even with a long list of distinctions, Herrington’s journey to success in his aviation career was not always linear. Restless and unmotivated in his first year of college, Herrington pivoted his interest to rock climbing—a captivation which took him through the Colorado mountains as a survey member and catalyzed the rediscovery of his love for learning. 

With a new momentum, Herrington returned to the University of Colorado and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics in 1983—but this was just the very beginning of his pursuits. John would later earn his Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and a PhD in Education from the University of Idaho in 2014.

His exemplary service and talents as a Naval Aviator garnered the attention of NASA in 1996 when he was selected as an astronaut. Boarding the space shuttle STS-113 Endeavour in 2002 with the Chickasaw Nation’s flag, John honoured his tribe and became the first Indigenous person to venture into space. 

Seeing the world from the edge of a space station, John Herrington was enamoured by how remarkable yet truly delicate nature is. This passion has followed him through a cross-country bike ride in 2008, backcountry skiing, and awe-inspiring film productions like National Geographic’s “Inside Hubble’s Final Mission” and “Into America’s Wild”. Though Herrington has retired from NASA, his mission to inspire courage into the hearts of those around him continues; John mentors the aspiring leaders of tomorrow as a board member of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), and has published a children’s book entitled “Mission to Space”.

Currently, Herrington serves as an ambassador for the Chickasaw Nation bringing a passion for education and mentorship to his work with young Indigenous people. John continually seeks to motivate and engage Native American youth in STEM education.  John Herrington resides in Montana, has two children and enjoys flying, snow skiing, and cycling.

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Location: Canada

Language: English

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