Labor Commissioner Luke Farley Honors NASA Astronaut Christina Koch with Order of the Tar Heel

North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley welcomed NASA astronaut and Artemis II Mission Specialist Christina Koch to the historic Labor Building in Raleigh on August 26 for an event celebrating her extraordinary contributions to space exploration, STEM education, and the people of North Carolina.

During the event, Commissioner Farley presented Koch with the Order of the Tar Heel, the highest award bestowed by the North Carolina Commissioner of Labor. The award recognizes her work with NASA and her ongoing advocacy for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (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,” said Labor Commissioner Luke Farley. “Her accomplishments with NASA have made history, but her commitment to encouraging students to pursue STEM education may be among her most important contributions. We are proud to recognize her with the Order of the Tar Heel.”

Koch, a North Carolina native, has played a historic role in human spaceflight and was selected as a Mission Specialist for NASA’s Artemis II mission.

The event also provided students from across the Raleigh area with an opportunity to engage directly with Koch during a question-and-answer session. Students asked about her experiences as an astronaut, the challenges of spaceflight, the Artemis program, and the educational and career pathways that can lead to careers in STEM.

The program also included a business and education roundtable bringing together educational leaders and North Carolina businesses involved in NASA-related work and the Artemis program. The discussion focused on the importance of developing a strong STEM workforce, strengthening partnerships between schools and industry, and preparing North Carolina students for the high-skilled jobs that will support the state's growing role in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, engineering, technology, and space exploration.

“The [North Carolina] Department of Labor is something that is near and dear to my heart.” Koch said. “It’s about making sure everyone gets a fair shake, has the opportunity to work hard, and can contribute their gifts.”

The North Carolina Department of Labor continues to support initiatives that connect education and workforce development and help prepare North Carolinians for the careers of tomorrow.

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