Michelle Birdsall

Michelle Birdsall has extensive experience in communications and STEM engagement. Michelle currently works at ASRC Federal as the Strategic Communications and STEM Engagement Lead for the NOAA/NASA Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) Program, where they implement launch communications plans and conducts outreach efforts. Prior to this, they served as a Senior Communications and STEM Engagement Specialist at ASRC Federal. Michelle has also worked as the ITE Journal Senior Editor and Writer at the Institute of Transportation Engineers, where they were responsible for all content in the ITE Journal. Michelle previously served as a Project Manager/Communications Director at PMC, managing a communications team within the Department of Homeland Security. Michelle has also worked as a Senior Editor/Writer for NASA's Spinoff magazine and as a Technical Writer for Veridyne (ACS). Michelle started their career as the Theatre Department Chairperson at Fairfax County Public Schools, where they managed the middle school theatre department and taught theater arts classes.

Michelle Birdsall has a Master of Science degree in Professional Writing from Towson University, which they obtained from 2001 to 2006. Prior to that, they earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Theatre Secondary Education from the University of Maryland from 1994 to 1998. Michelle also received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from the same institution during the same time period. In addition, Michelle has a certification in Change Management Foundations from Lynda.com, obtained in 2019.