Meet Lillia - Where Curiosity Ignites Rockets (literally)

I’ve watched Lillia Hammond’s spark glow since kindergarten. And now, watching her graduate and launch into the world of rocket science, Pure awe. So many little girls dream of space exploration, Lillia is already making it happen.

From pitching tents as a Girl Scout to gazing at the stars to understand astronomy, Lillia has always carried both wonder and determination in equal measure. Today, she stands as someone others look to for guidance, standing as one of the few if not lone woman in her classes and on her SpaceX Starship Engineering teams.

Academically, Lillia is unmatched: She double-majored in physics and art history and recently graduated from Amherst College, and is finishing up a final year in mechanical engineering at Dartmouth through their five-year dual degree program. Her senior thesis? Designing and building hardware for the GNEISS mission, a NASA-collaborative project studying Earth’s aurorae in rural Alaska.

👉 Read more about her work (https://www.amherststemnetwork.com/2025/06/22/senior-thesis-spotlight-lilliahammond) here

Lillia’s journey is a masterclass in curiosity, creativity, and courage. She blends art and engineering, solo problem-solving and team leadership, all while staying deeply true to who she is.

This spotlight series is a reflection of the qualities I admire most in life and leadership. And, Lillia, you embody every one. I’ll always be in your corner, cheering you on with full heart and boundless pride.