WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is congratulating a University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) student named as one of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) new student ambassadors.

“Students like Ayanna Johnson are an inspiration for future generations of aspiring scientists,” McCaskill said. “Her perseverance, leadership, and work ethic represent the best of Missouri, and I’m proud she’ll not only be representing her peers, but also UMKC’s world-class education among the best and brightest.”

Johnson was selected as one of only 105 of NASA’s top-performing interns into the 2014 NASA Student Ambassadors Virtual Community, a vital component of the agency’s ongoing effort to engage undergraduate and graduate students in science, engineering, mathematics and technology (STEM) research and interactive opportunities.

NASA managers and mentors nominated individuals from the hundreds of current interns and fellows across the agency. The NASA Student Ambassadors Virtual Community aims to elevate the experiences, visibility, and contribution of these students; leverage their presence and input for recruitment; and provide increased involvement with the agency’s exploration and STEM education missions.