Physics Alumna Ginger Kerrick Appointed to Board of Regents

Ginger Kerrick (BS Physics '91, MS Physics '93) was appointed to the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents March 6 by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

Kerrick, who is a resident of Webster, is the Flight Integration Division Chief for NASA, Johnson Space Center, and has served in other various roles and capacities in human space flight and training for over 27 years. She is a member of the Society of Women Engineers, volunteer coordinator for Triumphant Trails Inc., and the annual emcee for the Galveston Polar Plunge benefitting Special Olympics.

Kerrick was born and raised in El Paso, and grew up with aspirations to become a professional basketball player or an astronaut. The El Paso Female Athlete of the Year began her college career at the University of Texas-El Paso where she majored in physics and earned a spot on the basketball team. A knee injury ended her basketball career and ultimately led her to transfer to Texas Tech.

While at Texas Tech, Kerrick secured a summer internship with NASA within the safety organization in a calibration and materials testing laboratory. Soon after graduation, she was hired permanently at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

In 2005, she became the first Hispanic female in NASA history to be named Flight Director, a position that ensures the success of the mission and the safety of astronauts. In 2016, she was named Division Chief, Flight Integration Division, and was inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame.

Kerrick was appointed along with two other new members: Mark Griffin of Lubbock, President and General Counsel of The Griffin Companies and Pro Petroleum Inc.; and Dusty Womble of Lubbock, board member and former Executive Vice President of Tyler Technologies.

All three appointments are subject to Senate confirmation and are set to expire on Jan. 31, 2025.