North Carolina Labor Chief honors astronaut Christina Koch with state’s top award

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — NASA astronaut Christina Koch, a North Carolina native and Mission Specialist for the upcoming Artemis II lunar mission, received the state’s highest labor honor Tuesday during a visit to the historic Labor Building in Raleigh.

Labor Commissioner Luke Farley presented Koch with the Order of the Tar Heel, citing her achievements in space exploration and her advocacy for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

“Christina Koch represents the very best of North Carolina — a commitment to excellence, a spirit of exploration, and a determination to inspire the next generation,” Farley said. He added that her push to promote STEM education may rank among her most significant contributions, alongside her record-setting NASA career.

The visit included a question-and-answer session with Raleigh-area students, who asked Koch about life as an astronaut, the difficulties of spaceflight, and career paths into STEM fields.

A separate roundtable brought together education leaders and North Carolina businesses tied to NASA and the Artemis program to discuss building a skilled workforce for the state’s expanding aerospace, manufacturing and technology sectors.

Koch, who has held a prominent role in NASA’s human spaceflight program, spoke about the mission of the state’s labor department. “The Department of Labor is something that is near and dear to my heart,” she said. “It’s about making sure everyone gets a fair shake, has the opportunity to work hard, and can contribute their gifts.”

State officials said the Department of Labor will continue efforts linking education and workforce development to prepare residents for future careers, including those tied to the state’s growing space and aerospace industry.