Employee Spotlight: Lindsay Kaldon

Nuclear Technology instructor Lindsay Kaldon dreamed of being an astronaut from a young age. She studied biographies of NASA astronauts and noticed most of them went through the Air Force or another branch of the military before joining NASA.

Pursuing her dream, Lindsay enlisted in the Air Force. Shortly after enlisting, the shuttle program was canceled.

Despite the cancellation of the shuttle program, Lindsay was fortunate to be assigned to a project that tested high-altitude spy planes. One of those planes, the U-2 Dragonlady, flies so high that the pilots reach the edge of outer space and have to wear astronaut-style pressure suits during flights. Lindsay helped keep the pilots safe through her work on electronic warfare systems.

Following her military career, Lindsay pursued a master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering. She was amazed at the multiple career options available to nuclear engineers. One career in particular captured her interest — teaching nuclear technology.

Researching employment opportunities, Lindsay discovered an opening at CFCC. Now, she teaches online classes in the Nuclear Technology program.

When she’s not teaching nuclear reactor theory, she works at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Ohio. Her work at the research center involves developing and building reactors that may someday power a base camp on the moon and Mars.

Lindsay recently visited Wilmington to escort her students on a field trip to NC State. Before taking off on her trip, we were able to chat with Lindsay about her experience at CFCC.

WHAT YEAR DID YOU START WORKING AT CFCC, AND WHAT BROUGHT YOU HERE?

I started at CFCC in 2023. I wanted to teach nuclear courses, and the timing was just right as an opening came up within the Nuclear Technology Department at CFCC.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

Teaching others about a subject that I absolutely love!

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING?

I enjoy metal detecting, home improvement projects, and working on people’s family histories! It’s always exciting when I can uncover family trees and stories for others!

WHO HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR EDUCATION AND/OR CAREER PATH?

My parents. They saw I had a love for space and encouraged me to follow my dream of becoming an astronaut someday. I joined the Air Force to be one, but life presents new paths to follow. I eventually made my way to space-related systems, though, and here I am today, working for NASA! It couldn’t get much cooler than that.

WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

Don’t give up on your dreams, and don’t ever burn bridges! Even though I didn’t get to be an astronaut, I still worked toward things that could eventually set me up to someday work in the space industry.

I didn’t stop pursuing higher learning with my bachelor’s degree. I went on to earn a Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering from Penn State in 2021. It was the foundations of a quality education that got me to where I am today — living my dream working nuclear programs for NASA!

There were so many people who helped me along the way and became instrumental in getting me to where I am today. You never know when you’ll come across the paths of people you use to know, but when it happens, it’s always better to have left a good impression on them than a bad one.

WHAT IS SOMETHING NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I’m an instrument-rated private pilot with about 200 flight hours. I’m also a HAM operator – Extra Class.

DEGREES & CERTIFICATES

• Bachelor of Science – Electrical Engineering (University of Evansville)
• Masters of Engineering – Nuclear Engineering (Penn State)
• Professional Certificate – Systems Engineering (Naval Postgraduate School)

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

• Tau Beta Pi – Engineering Honor Society
• American Nuclear Society
• American Astronautical Society
• Women in Aviation
• Ninety-Nines