Getting to Know Lauren-Ann!

True or False: I have always believed I could do anything. True!

Best Advice I've Received: When I was really struggling to make it through my aerospace degree, my dad said, “You only fail when you quit.” Even if you fail, try again.

What does it mean to be limitless?

It’s knowing you can do anything you set your mind to. There are no limits to what you can accomplish if you work hard, believe in yourself and surround yourself an incredible support system. Even if no one else has done it before, for example a woman stepping foot on the moon, that does not mean it is impossible! Reach for the stars; the sky is not the limit.

is so proud to share Alpha Phi with her mom. “She raised me to have the exact same ideals and values that Alpha Phi stands for, making it even more special,” Lauren-Ann said. “Alpha Phi gave me some of my closest friends and provided me with incredible connections in my industry,” said Lauren-Ann. “Even as alumnae, we are still true sisters.”

Along with her family and her faith, both of which inspire her to push forward and challenge herself each day, Lauren-Ann has been fortunate to have mentors who have helped guide and advise her. One of those mentors is fellow alumna, Christina Gosling (Theta Zeta-Florida Tech) , is also working at Kennedy Space Center as part of the mission control team. Lauren-Ann’s thesis advisor is also someone she credits with supporting her goals.

Not all of us know what passion we want to pursue when we are kids, but Lauren-Ann did, and as soon as she knew it, she has been laser-focused on her goal for each moment since. “At five years old, I drew a picture of space and wrote, ‘I want to go to the moon,’ on it. My family continued to fuel my dream and took me to the Kennedy Space Center when I was eight. From that point forward, I knew I had to be an astronaut and work at Kennedy Space Center,” shared Lauren-Ann.

While she continues her day-to day work, she trains and adds skills to her toolbox so one day she may be ready to tackle the moon. Lauren-Ann has earned her open water scuba certificate and is working on others. She has also started logging hours to gain her pilot’s license. Each day she comes in ready to challenge herself and collaborate with others, and so far, she says she is having the time of her life.

“Some days I am truly in awe of the incredible opportunities I have already been so blessed with. I am incredibly grateful for this journey!”

PENNI FRISCH DALTON

(Gamma Beta-UC Santa Barbara) , a recently retired project manager previously employed with NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, did not always think her path would lead to an aerospace career…So how did she come to a career with NASA?

“I remember watching a film about Robert Goddard (the father of modern rocket propulsion) and rockets when I was in fourth grade, and it was not very interesting to me at the time, but I did watch the moon launches and the moon landing in 1969. That was all very exciting,” recalled Penni.

In high school, teachers encouraged her love of biology and chemistry. She enjoyed the challenges posed by the sciences, problem solving and math. Following her junior year at UC Santa Barbara as a chemistry major, she secured a summer job with the Aerospace Corporation and worked in their battery laboratory. In 1987 she began her graduate studies in analytical chemistry at Indiana University, and after graduation she began working for the Hughes Aircraft Corporation in their aerospace battery division. There, she participated in a project for the US Air Force developing and testing Nickel-Hydrogen battery cells.

Always in pursuit of the challenge and eager to problem solve to be of service, Penni has held a variety of other science focused roles prior to joining NASA. After two years with Aerospace Corporation, Penni began working for the Gates Corporation in Colorado in their energy storage research organization. From 1981 to 1985, she worked on lead acid cells, performing testing, as well as chemical and gas analysis of cells and materials.

In 1987, having completed her master’s degree, Penni took a job government job at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division. One of projects she worked on there involved determining battery gassing in remote FAA sites, including Alaska. “As the branch chief, I oversaw projects

Getting to Know Penni!

What drew her to Alpha Phi: My mother signed me up for recruitment…I had no idea what sorority life was and I was very apprehensive. During recruitment, I just felt comfortable with the Alpha Phi chapter. They seemed very down-to-Earth and were enthusiastic about working together. I made the best friends of my life at Alpha Phi. I am still in regular contact with them. When we get together, we might as well still be in college, like no time has passed.

True or False: I have always believed I could do anything. True.

Best advice she received Learn how to work independently and make your boss look good. Determine who your audience is and tailor your presentation for that audience.

What encourages her to push forward: I love a good challenge and can hardly wait to see what is next!

sponsored by the Air Force, Navy, NASA, NSA and the FAA. We performed testing on aerospace Nickel-Cadmium and Nickel-Hydrogen cells. The testing was as close to a real-time orbit as possible for various satellites, and sponsors used the test data to predict the life of their batteries,” explained Penni.

This was not the only thing on Penni’s professional radar at this time. “Around 1987, I applied to become an astronaut, but I did not make the cut for an interview since my eyesight wasn’t good enough. Working for NASA was almost as great as being an astronaut,” said Penni. “In 1991 I transferred to NASA Glenn Research Center to work in the photovoltaic division for the Space Station Freedom (SSF) electric power system (EPS).” The EPS is what provides all power for the International Space Station — electricity for lights, experiments, heating, etc. The space station orbits the Earth every 90 minutes, using solar arrays for the EPS and battery charging while in the sunlight (approximately 55 minutes) and the using batteries while in the dark (approximately 35 minutes in the cycle). These batteries were the largest Nickel-Hydrogen batteries to ever launch and are still operational today.

She spent the rest of her career with NASA, transitioning to the International Space Station (ISS) integration project manager in 2010 and finally to plasma diagnostics package project manager in 2018. After the Space Station Freedom transitioned to the ISS, Penni served as the battery subsystem manager/lead, which encompassed all aspects of the batteries, from development, design, build, test, flight deployment and operation. Penni helped coordinate the ISS replacement of all of the original Nickel-Hydrogen batteries with Lithium-ion batteries, the largest Lithium-ion batteries ever launched. She had to ensure the batteries had to fit in the same footprint as the old Nickel-Hydrogen batteries, and new operations had to be developed to use the existing EPS thermal control system — all while keeping safety at the forefront of the design. She traveled to Kyoto, Japan to monitor the progress of the Lithiumion manufacturing and was present at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, in the mission evaluation room, to monitor battery health and start up.

Her expertise kept leading her in the direction of the next way she could be of service. She was certified as a Professional Project Manager through the Project Management Institute and served as the project manager on the Liquid Motion Experiment, a space shuttle payload that successfully flew in 1997. She was also the integration project manager for all of the ISS project work at NASA Glenn Research Center and for the Plasma Diagnostics Project (PDP), a scientific instrument to measure space plasma during the operation of the Solar Electric Propulsion engine for the Power and Propulsion Element of Artemis. In her recent role, Penni managed the workforce status and prepared for system requirements review and critical design review. Her work was varied and engaging, as she handled headquarters and Inspector General audit requests, prepared financial plans, evaluated proposals and presented papers to the international community.

Since retiring from NASA at the end of 2021, Penni has made time to volunteer with the Cleveland Playhouse and with an animal rescue organization. While she is not seated at her desk, pushing forward to create the next solution that helps make discovery in space possible, she is still engaged in activities that make her heart skip a beat. The most exciting way her life has adapted since retirement is that she has the opportunity to spend more time with her two children, four grandchildren, her parents and visiting family in California.

INTRODUCING THE 2022-2023 Educational Leadership Consultants (ELCs), Educational Leadership Specialists (ELSs) and Leadership Programming Consultants (LPCs)

by Gina Henke

What began in 1895 as one travelling delegate to support our chapters and emphasize the importance of our Alpha Phi traditions has evolved over the years to become a network of recently graduated members who routinely go the extra mile to support and engage our chapters and their members. They travel frequently to share best practices, assist with preparations that will help position the chapter for success and ultimately serve as some of the best resource facilitators our Fraternity has. Each year, new ELCs and ELSs interview and are selected for the team. This year, we are excited to share a new role has been added in the Leadership Programming Consultants. The LPCs are integral parts of the consultant team, implementing programming with collegiate chapters to promote chapter and member development.

Members of this team become part of the Order of the Ivy once their time travelling has ended and they have the honor of wearing the Lazy Phi pin that features the Greek letter Phi elongated and turned on its side. The bonds they form working and travelling together hold tight year after year, and the impact they make on the members they guide lasts even longer. Generation after generation of consultants have helped shape Alpha Phi into what it is today, a loyal sisterhood of women, courageously pursuing limitless excellence.

Let’s meet the twenty-five alumnae making the impact this year.

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONSULTANTS (ELCS) Faith Culpepper (Epsilon RhoUC Davis)

Cenie Arellano

(Eta Theta-San Francisco State)

Cenie has three goals as she works with chapters this year: create a loving, comfortable and warm environment; enhance chapters’ on-campus identities and help create memories they will keep forever. During Alpha Phi’s 150th anniversary, Cenie looks forward to celebrating the friendships she has made while encouraging those same friendships in others.

What do you hope for Alpha Phi’s future? Continuity of growth in fostering a positive and cultivating environment for all of its members.

Bri Armenteros

(Iota PsiNorth Florida)

Bri wants to increase morale, show members how amazing COB is for their chapter and create exciting and welcoming environments for recruitment events. She is looking forward to celebrating traditions this year and looks forward to Alpha Phi’s growth in the years ahead.

Best surprise ever? Getting to help establish the Kappa Lambda-CU Denver chapter!

Julia Bulat (Iota-Wisconsin)

Julia is looking forward to experiencing life on the road as an ELC, and draws inspiration from connecting with others. She hopes chapters remember her for her work as an approachable and impactful leader. Julia strives to learn to be more versatile and grow as a leader as she engages with each chapter.

Best surprise ever received? Learning she would become an aunt to her sister’s first child this summer!

Inspired by her fellow chapter members, Faith is ready to make a difference as she mentors collegiate chapters. She wants to make genuine connections, help chapter leaders feel confident and help chapters embrace Alpha Phi’s high ideals of membership.

What she hopes for Alpha Phi’s future? That Alpha Phi has 150 more years of encouraging and supporting young women!

Camyrn DeWitt (Gamma PhiFlorida State)

Camyrn is building relationships with Alpha Phis and excited the impact Alpha Phi Foundation’s Leading With Heart campaign will have. As Alpha Phi grows, she hopes we continue to develop strong leaders. Camyrn is proud to have helped her chapter receive the Susan Brink Sherratt Leadership Grant so that the tradition of cultivating dynamic Alpha Phi leaders remains strong. What will chapters remember me for? Dedication and commitment to Alpha Phi, its ideals and its members.

Jenna Earle (Beta RhoWashington State)

Jenna wants to be remembered for being kind, understanding and resourceful to chapters. As Alpha Phi continues in the next 150 years, she looks forward to many more years of strong sisterhood and the best memories. With a focus on sisterhood and recruitment, she is ready to go!

Best surprise ever? Her weiner dog, Winston.