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MSU Texas junior Rykir Evans makes the most of NASA internship

Andy Newberry
12 May 2026
4 min read

Midwestern State University junior Rykir Evans is not only building his skills during a NASA internship—he’s creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Evans has been a remote student at MSU Texas this semester while completing the internship. During that time, he had the opportunity to meet American naval aviator and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, as well as NASA Chief Flight Director Gene Kranz.

“It definitely has been an amazing experience thus far, and meeting all of the super inspirational figures in flesh and blood was definitely surreal,” Evans said.

Evans, a Bowie, Texas native and graduate of Gold-Burg High School, plans to graduate from Midwestern State University in spring 2027. He said his interest in space began at an early age.

“My dad introduced me to space and aerospace media—usually TV shows—when I was growing up, and that really set the stage,” Evans said. “By the time I entered college, I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

Like many students, he said, he has occasionally questioned his career path—but the internship helped provide clarity.

“This internship has truly been a focal lens and answered that question with a resounding yes,” Evans said.

Evans expanded on his brief meeting with Wiseman. He said it was “purely by chance” that he and Wiseman met in the Public Relations Building at NASA. “I was in my neon orange suit, and I was leaving, and I happened to see him behind me. The first thing he asked me was, ‘Are there some UT shenanigans going on here?’ and I responded with ‘Nope, just a guy with an orange suit.’ I got to talk to him for all of 30 seconds because he was in a rush to get somewhere, but still, quite the opportunity, and as I mentioned, likely one of, if not the last public picture with him before he goes around the moon (on Artemis II) since they entered quarantine later that same day.”

As for the orange suit, it was an event organized by interns for the interns, so they were allowed to take some fun pictures, Evans said. He said that was confirmation of what many people had told him about his internship: "You never know who you'll run into.”

Evans said balancing his coursework, six hours this semester, with a full-time internship has been manageable, though not without challenges.

“I’m taking an advanced computer science elective that’s a little more demanding,” Evans said. “But thanks

to the rapport I’ve built, I’ve been able to coordinate with my professor and manage expectations alongside my internship.”

He said he typically saves coursework for the weekend, when he can “wipe the slate clean,” and added that he’s glad he didn’t take on a heavier course load.

“I originally considered taking 12 hours, but I’m glad I didn’t,” Evans said. “The internship is more than just a 40-hour commitment—there are so many additional opportunities for interns at NASA.”

Evans has embraced professional development opportunities during the internship, serving as a point of contact for a professional development committee, attending weekly board game nights with fellow interns, and exploring Houston in his free time.

He said the adjustment to a traditional 9-to-5 schedule was a change from campus life.

“It is positive in the sense that I am able to establish and stick to a routine that benefits my personal goals—fitness, journaling, skill improvement,” Evans said. “Not having to deviate from that routine allows me to make substantial progress. However, I will admit there is some monotony to having the same time commitments every day.”

During his 14-week internship schedule, he was allowed to take a break to go to New York with the Model United Nations team from MSU Texas. The experience allowed him to bond with fellow students—and also made him realize he “missed the internship” upon returning to Houston.

He has been keeping a weekly log of his activities, which Tina Johnson said, in “true Rykir form,” go above the requirements. Johnson is an assistant professor of computer science at MSU Texas.

Evans was also the recipient of the Hardin Scholar award in 2025, which is the university’s highest award for academic excellence.

He expressed appreciation for those who supported him along the way.

“I’m trying very diligently to make a good impression,” Evans said of his internship mentor. “I hope he looks back and thinks it was the right choice.”

He also credited his family, MSU Texas faculty and staff, and his peers.

“My family has supported me logistically, emotionally, and endlessly—I definitely wouldn’t have made it without them,” Evans said. “The staff and faculty across MSU helped ensure I could meet class and scholarship requirements, and my peers have helped me become the person I am today.”