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A Passion Ignited

Her journey began long before graduate school.

“In my late teens, I developed an unexpected passion for aviation. The passion intensified during my military career,” she said.

That growing passion made Embry‑Riddle’s Worldwide Aeronautics program the natural choice. While completing her undergraduate degree, Cruz became an avid reader and discovered a fascination with space. That led her to pursue the university’s 4+1 program, also known as the Combined Program Pathways, in Space Operations.

“I dove into space operations, and I loved every second of it!” Cruz said.

Her passion for aeronautics and space continues to grow as she prepares to pursue a Ph.D. in Aviation at Embry‑Riddle.

Transformative Coursework

Her first graduate course, Human Spaceflight Industry, reshaped her expectations.

“I heard horror stories about how hard it would be. I was bracing myself,” she said. “But it wasn’t like that at all. The course was fascinating. I learned so much, and I gained a profound love for human space exploration. That course sparked my desire to one day create something that will improve or sustain it.”

The experience inspired a broader academic transformation. Cruz credits Embry‑Riddle with building her confidence and fueling her passion for knowledge.

“The university gave me confidence and fueled my passion with knowledge,” Cruz said. “In aviation, I’ve seen how powerful knowledge is in overcoming challenges and gaining an edge."

“Through real-world problem solving, I’ve learned that I don’t need to know all the answers.  I just need to be confident in facing the unexpected.”

The Power of Mentorship

At the Worldwide Campus, Cruz joined the  mentorship program, directed by J.R. Hanamean, assistant professor of the practice in mathematics, science and technology, who provided long-term guidance and encouragement.

“He has played an enormous role in my development, and I want to express my gratitude to him for the impact he has had on my academic journey,” she said. They later met in person at the Daytona Beach Campus, where Cruz expressed her gratitude.

 “Darcy fully embraced the mentorship, which allowed me to support her journey toward her goals. She was open about her aspirations and receptive to feedback, thoughtfully considering her options before taking action,” said Hanamean. “Through her dedication and hard work, Darcy’s grown tremendously both personally and professionally.”

“While I’ve been honored to be her mentor, Darcy’s achievements are entirely her own. Our COMPASS mentoring relationship has been incredibly meaningful, and witnessing her progress has been a joy. Meeting her in person at the May 2025 graduation — after a fully virtual experience — was an unexpected and unforgettable highlight for me.”

Leadership in Action

Cruz also helped establish the Worldwide chapter of the , deepening her leadership skills and connections.

 “Thank you for being a friend, teammate and guide in my journey,” she said to her fellow chapter members.

Balancing full-time study, military deployment, work, family and club activities was her toughest challenge. Cruz found motivation in moments of self-doubt and exhaustion.

Internship Inspiration

Since fall 2024, Cruz has served as a Leadership Experience and Accelerator Program (LEAP) intern for the NASA L’SPACE workforce development program, mentoring students as part of the Mission Assurance team.

“Watching students grow — not only in skills but also in confidence — has been rewarding and a continuous inspiration,” she said.

Cruz also participated in the , which allowed her to attend the 2024 Aviation and Ascend conference. There, she connected with a network of women shaping the future of aerospace.

“Today, we stay in contact. We learn, share and network,” Cruz said. “With this program, I have been able to turn my internal passion into a physical reality.”

Vision for the Future

Cruz plans to pursue a Ph.D. at Embry‑Riddle and is currently project manager for , a NASA‑funded project aimed at optimizing food sustainability for astronauts.

“I don’t want this to be just another project,” she said. “I want it to be work that’s used in the industry to support long‑term space travel.”

A Message of Growth and Resilience

Cruz encourages others to find purpose while staying grounded in their identity. She reflected on growing up in a culture focused on survival more than aspiration.

It was through friends from different backgrounds that she first saw the possibility of becoming an engineer, scientist or artist.

“I decided I wanted to be the first,” she said. “The first to finish high school, go to college, serve in the military and work in STEM. I want my community to have an example of what it means to live — not just survive.”

One piece of advice from Master Sgt. William Jones, a mentor during deployment, still guides her:

“Don’t lose yourself. Stay true to you. Remember where you started — your values, your morals. You grew, maybe not in the way you wanted, but you grew.”

For Cruz, success boils down to two questions:

“Did I help someone, and did I grow?”

Sharing her story, she said, is part of that growth.

“By telling it here, I’m still learning — and still becoming.”