Mike Kincaid oversees Challenger Center’s efforts to advance its mission of inspiring and engaging the next generation of STEM professionals through unique, hands-on STEM programs delivered at Challenger Learning Centers and in classrooms. He is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the organization, working closely with the board of directors, staff, donors, and key stakeholders to set strategy, ensure the financial health and sustainability of the organization, expand reach, and strengthen impact on students.
Before joining Challenger Center, Mike spent 37 years at NASA, most recently serving as the Associate Administrator of the agency’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM). For seven years, he oversaw the strategic direction and leadership in engaging America’s educators, students, and institutions in NASA’s missions, contributing to both NASA’s mission success and the broader U.S. STEM education ecosystem. Mike chaired NASA’s STEM Board, which integrated, oversaw, and assessed agencywide STEM engagement functions and activities. He also served as Co-Chair of Federal Coordination in STEM (FC-STEM), a multiagency committee focused on coordinating and enhancing STEM education efforts across the federal government. Mike also served as NASA’s representative on the International Space Education Board (ISEB), where he led global collaboration in space education, shared best practices, and united efforts to foster interest in space, science, and technology among students worldwide.
Mike first joined NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas, as an intern in 1987, and went on to lead various organizations at JSC, including serving as Director of Education, Deputy Director of Human Resources, and Deputy Chief Financial Officer. Prior to his role with OSTEM, Mike was the Director of External Relations at JSC, where his office interacted with stakeholders across the country. Mike retired from NASA in November 2024.
Mike holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and an MBA from the University of Houston–Clear Lake.
