Spark a Change in your community
Spark a Change is a systemwide initiative that invites all residents to spark curiosity and inspire change in ourselves and our communities.
Each year, Pioneer Library System identifies a critical topic in our community and selects title(s) that address that topic.
This year, PLS is thrilled to sponsor Leland Melvin, American engineer and retired NASA astronaut, as the keynote speaker at Norman’s Annual Aviation Breakfast in September 2025. Join the conversation around the importance of STEAM careers as part of PLS’s Spark a Change series.
Spark a Change includes any or all of the following activities, all centered around one main theme:
Spark a Change is intended to inspire you into action, reflection, exploration, or discussion - we're here to support whatever it is that gets you involved in becoming the change you want to see in the world!
Leland Melvin is a former NFL player, astronaut, engineer, author, and executive producer whose remarkable career spans sports, space exploration, and education.
Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, Melvin earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Richmond in 1986, where he also played college football. He went on to earn a Master of Science in Materials Science Engineering from the University of Virginia in 1990.
After being drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1986, Melvin also played for the Dallas Cowboys before a hamstring injury ended his professional football career. He transitioned to a career in science, joining NASA as an engineer and later becoming an astronaut. He flew on two Space Shuttle Atlantis missions to the International Space Station in 2008 and 2009, contributing to critical research and operations in orbit.
Dedicated to education and advocacy, Melvin served as co-chair of the White House’s Federal Coordination in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Task Force, where he helped develop the nation’s five-year STEM education plan. He was also the United States representative and chair of the International Space Education Board (ISEB), fostering global collaboration in space education.
An accomplished author, Melvin wrote the memoir Chasing Space, detailing his journey from the football field to outer space, and co-created the Space Chasers graphic novel series to inspire young readers. He is also an executive producer of The Space Race, a documentary highlighting the experiences of Black astronauts.
Melvin’s contributions have earned him widespread recognition. He was selected as an ICON MANN alongside Quincy Jones, Forest Whitaker, and Steve Harvey, honoring his ability to inspire people worldwide through his vision and commitment to positive change. He also received the NFL Players Association’s “Award of Excellence” for encouraging athletes to excel beyond the game.
With multiple honorary doctorates, Leland Melvin continues to be a trailblazer in STEM education, storytelling, and mentorship, inspiring future generations to break barriers and reach for the stars.
