Solar System Ambassadors
Anna Stephens
Anna Stephens has had a lifelong passion for space and astronomy. High school found her determined to become a part of NASA's astronaut program which led her to pursue a degree in astrophysics at the Florida Institute of Technology. Life had other plans for her, however, and she left the space sciences and later earned a bachelor's degree in Gender Studies from the University of Utah in 2016. Three years later, she still dreamed about space exploration and decided that it was time to finish the astrophysics degree she had to set aside so many years before; she graduated with her bachelor's degree in physics and astronomy from the University of Utah in 2022. During her time in college, she developed a deep love for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) outreach through participation in various student organizations. While she found research to be interesting, it was engaging with the general public and passing on her love of space that became more rewarding than anything else. Determined to make STEM more accessible, Anna co-founded a student organization at the University of Utah with the hopes of helping disabled students interested in STEM form a community and help each other finish their programs. Since graduating, she has worked as an astronomy outreach intern for Bryce Canyon National Park where she got to work under some of the darkest skies in North America, sharing her passion for space with people from around the world. She now works for Clark Planetarium in their department for community outreach. When she's not yelling about all things space, Anna dedicates her time to her artwork, writing, and disability advocacy.