LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- U.S. Air Force Capt. Shanna “Kai” Chen, executive officer, Los Angeles Garrison, is a recipient of the Adm. James O. Ellis Jr. New Generation National Security Scholarship from the Space Foundation.
Awardees represent exceptional young professionals who participate in Space Foundation events. The scholarship provides recipients with opportunities to advance their professional development.
“I appreciate the opportunities and scholarships the Air Force provides,” said Chen. “I feel especially honored to receive the Adm. James O. Ellis, Jr. New Generation National Security Scholarship and am grateful for the experiences and many things I’ve learned at Space Symposium.”
Captain Chen has participated in such foundation activities as Air Force Space Pitch Day 2019 and International Space Pitch Day 2020. Her reason for joining what was then the U.S. Air Force was twofold, to serve her country and to help offset the cost of a college education. Captain Chen earned a master’s in business administration from the University of Redlands while in the service and aspires to earn her master of science in engineering.
The foundation is a non-profit organization created in 1983 to “foster, develop and promote, among the citizens of the United States of America and among other people of the world…a greater understanding and awareness…of the practical and theoretical utilization of space…for the benefit of civilization and the fostering of a peaceful and prosperous world.”
Captain Chen is a native of Tempe, Arizona. Her hobbies include jiu-jitsu martial arts and sky diving.
USSF Guardian Capt. Megan Maikell, Space Systems Command, is also a recipient of the Adm. James O. Ellis Jr. New Generation National Security Scholarship.