Invited Letter: Greetings from the US National Science Foundation

From First-Generation Student to Champion of America's Skilled Technical Workforce My story begins in Sparta, Greece, where I was born before becoming a naturalized US citizen at age 10. As a first-generation college student and engineer at Virginia Tech, I balanced my studies while staying connected to my family in Richmond, VA, by taking courses at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College. This experience at a community college opened my eyes to the transformative power of accessible, practical, and affordable education. Throughout my eleven years of engineering studies and research at Virginia Tech, I worked closely with skilled technicians across aerospace, mechanical, and biomedical applications, developing a deep respect for their essential contributions to innovation. My success depended on these skilled technicians, and I was indebted. This foundation led me to my current role as Lead Program Officer for NSF's Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program, where I champion the skilled technical workforce—nearly half of all STEM workers—that drives America's innovation leadership and global competitiveness.