In 1990 our first starship simulator was launched, and a new era of immersive education began. 27 years and over 400,000 participants later a new fleet is preparing to take the next generation to visit the stars and imagine what lies beyond.
Meet Our Team
James Porter
Director
The CMSC is under the direction of James Porter. Volunteering and working at the Space Center as a youth led him to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education with which he taught for six years in Cache Valley, Utah. After accepting the position as director of the Space Center in 2014, James has since earned a Master’s of Education degree in Learning and Technology. With the support of many community members, district administration, and supportive businesses he lead the development of a new building with expanded resources completed in 2020. He continues to find excitement in the efforts to expand the program to make available the unique experiences provided by our program and continue inspiring students.
"My loving wife and two boys are at the center of my universe."
Victor Williamson
Outreach Coordinator
After graduating from BYU in 1983, he worked at Central Elementary in Pleasant Grove from 1983 to 2013. While working as a sixth grade teacher Victor founded the Christa McAuliffe Space Center in 1990. After retiring he accepted a position at Renaissance Academy and continues to teach full time. Victor has been recognized by many organizations for his efforts including the Huntsman Award for Excellence in Education, the Milken Family Foundation's National Educator Award, the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship from the U.S. Department of Education, the Toyota Tapestry Award, and ASD's Accent on Excellence, among others. He was also part of several delegations from the United States that participated in national youth space camps in the Soviet Union, Japan, and South Korea, accompanied by his students and Space Center volunteers. His vast experience and love for the growth and development of our volunteer program continues to benefit the lives of countless students.
Brylee-Ann Perry
Planetarium Director
As a lover of all types of science and creative writing, it’s no surprise Brylee-Ann found a second home at the Space Center in the summer of 2014. Starting as a volunteer, then an intern her junior year of high school, she ended up joining the ranks of staff in 2015. She spent a few years at UVU, earning a Bachelors in Forensic Science and being published in the Warp and Weave journal a few times. Her unique background has added to the Space Center in ways she was not expecting it to. She has loved writing missions as well as new planetarium content, and has the unofficial title of the Space Center’s puzzle master. Bringing joy, laughter, and education to the wide variety of guests that visit the Space Center has been the drive that has kept her a part of the staff for so long. As a staff member she works with the simulators as well as being the Planetarium Director. When not at the Center, you can find her with one of her many craft projects, writing/solving mysteries, or breaking out of escape rooms with her husband.
Tabitha Ricks
Staff Development Lead
Having earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Utah Valley University, Tabitha has worked in the field of Autism and Learning Disorders and has mentored and taught children professionally since 2011. She has a passion for learning and working with youth. Tabitha first began contributing to the Space Center program in 2013 as a volunteer, joining the staff ranks in 2014. She has filled a large array of responsibilities at the Space Center from the simulators, to the planetarium, to Outreach coordinator. She currently holds the position of Staff Development lead where she enjoys helping establish a launch pad for our interns and staff to aim for their dreams and ever improve. In her free time she loves studying design, animal training, and spending time with her husband and daughter. "My loving wife and two boys are at the center of my universe."
Megan Warner
Operations Development Lead
Megan moved around a lot when she was little, so she was a very shy student. By the time she joined her class on their field trip to the Christa McAuliffe Space Center in sixth grade she was attending her fourth elementary school. She fell in love with the Center and all it stood for, but especially with how it made her feel like the best version of herself. The desire to help others feel like she did led her to join the volunteer ranks in 2001 then the paid staff in 2003, and she’s never looked back. As the Operations Development Lead, Megan supports the staff in their day-to-day efforts; maintains the physical sets and other sundries needed to run missions; and works with our lobby personnel to create a welcome atmosphere for everyone who comes to our facility. “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known” - let’s go find it together!
Mitchell Foote
Experience Development Lead
Mitchell has always been drawn to the discipline of wonder. His first book, written at age six, was a five-page picture book about outer space. In 2006, he was introduced to the CMSC, and by 2021 he officially joined the staff. Along the way, he earned a degree in Computer Science with a minor in Astronomy from BYU and now works as a Software Architect at Adobe. Outside of work, Mitchell enjoys throwing clay on the pottery wheel and watching The Amazing Race with his wife.
Lissa Hadfield
Project Coordinator
Lissa has found joy in bringing narratives to life, a joy she started to identify when she first attended the Space Center in elementary school. Chasing this passion for storytelling led to her joining the Space Center, where she has been since 2013. Her favorite part of her work is engaging and inspiring Space Center patrons young and old. Lissa has experimented storytelling through art, photography, and writing, and most recently found a passion for voice acting. Outside of her role as Project Coordinator, Lissa loves all things Star Wars, playing board games, and especially enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.
Official Space Center Soundtrack
Beyond setting the scenes for our adventures, we also recognize that music can be extremely powerful and uplifting. As such, we have decided that the proceeds from sales are going to be donated to non-profit suicide prevention organizations like Hope4Utah. These organizations do so much to support individuals and communities in so many ways, so we want to do our small part to support them.
Space Center SoundtrackSoundtrack of the Fleet
The Christa McAuliffe Space Center began as a classroom experiment by its founder, Victor Williamson. He transported his class through the power of imagination to the outer reaches of our solar system and beyond. With the goal to bring this to students beyond his own classroom, Mr. Williamson built up the program through various grants, donations, and volunteer work to a much larger scale. On November 8, 1990, the first simulator known as the Voyager was opened.
Since that time, the Space Center has been inspiring and influencing the lives of thousands of children in Utah, and beyond. The simulators create an immersive environment where students can envision themselves in roles involving leadership, engineering, science, and more while encountering curriculum based challenges. All while having an unforgettable and exciting time.
The CMSC is currently under the direction of James Porter. Volunteering and working at the Space Center as a youth lead him to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education with which he taught for six years. After accepting the position as director of the Center, James has since earned a Master’s of Education degree in Learning and Technology and is excited to expand the program and continue inspiring students.
