At 13 years old, Trenton Kenney opened a National Geographic magazine featuring Saturn and discovered a profile of an astrophysicist. In that moment, he decided that space would be part of his future. What he didn't know was how to get there.
As a first-generation college student from Apple Valley, Minnesota, Trenton watched many of his classmates leave for four-year universities while he wrestled with uncertainty about his own path. "I didn't really know which path I wanted to take," he recalled. "I knew I wanted to do something in space, but I had no idea what that actually meant or how you got there."
That uncertainty eventually led him to Normandale Community College.
Trenton's journey was anything but straightforward. After taking time following high school to figure out his next steps, he enrolled at Normandale. Excited and ambitious, he overloaded his schedule and quickly discovered that determination alone wasn't enough.
"I did so bad that I was put on academic suspension almost right away," he said. The experience forced him to pause and reconsider whether college was even the right path. Yet after reflecting on the setback, he made a choice that would shape the rest of his career.
"I said, 'No. I'm going to come back. I'm going to figure it out.'" When he returned in 2017, things began to change. He learned how to seek help, work with advisors, and develop stronger study habits. Most importantly, he began building relationships with the people around him.
One professor would become especially influential in Trenton 's success: Mathematics Instructor Thomas Sundquist. At the time, Trenton was still struggling in mathematics and worried he wasn't prepared for higher-level coursework. Despite those concerns, Sundquist saw something worth investing in.
"He said he would take a chance on me because I seemed so eager to learn," Trenton said. "That willingness to trust me and give me that responsibility was everything I needed." The confidence his professors showed in him helped transform his view of himself.
Soon, Trenton was deeply involved on campus. He helped revitalize the Math Club, served as vice president, and later became president of the Astronomy Club. Through student organizations, he found a sense of belonging that strengthened both his academic performance and personal growth.
While at Normandale, Trenton applied for the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) program, an immersive experience designed specifically for community college students interested in space exploration. The program introduced him to NASA operations, connected him with students from across the country, and ultimately led to a visit to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. For a lifelong space enthusiast, it felt surreal.
"That was like winning the lottery," he said.
During the visit, Trenton met NASA staff members, toured astronaut training facilities, and connected with a professional whose career combined astrophysics and human spaceflight. He stayed in contact, persistently sending emails and asking about opportunities.
Years later, that persistence paid off when an internship opportunity finally opened. Looking back, Trenton credits Normandale's faculty for helping make that experience possible. "I needed letters of recommendation, and Tom was more than happy to help," he said. "I'm forever indebted to him for that."
Trenton graduated from Normandale in 2020 and transferred to the University of Minnesota, where he earned a degree in astrophysics in 2022. During his time at the university, he completed internships at NASA's Johnson Space Center while balancing virtual coursework and multiple research opportunities - all during COVID.
At NASA, he worked on technologies supporting next-generation spacecraft, including projects related to astronaut operations and mission control displays. One lesson from a mentor has remained with him ever since.
"The phrase was, 'I don't know, but I'll go find out,'" Trenton said. "That taught me that it's okay not to be the smartest person in the room. What's important is being honest, transparent, and willing to learn."
The experience expanded his understanding of space exploration and revealed a new passion: helping people reach space rather than simply studying it.
After graduating, Trenton joined Blue Origin, where he worked in mission operations and ground systems supporting the company's spaceflight programs. One of the highlights of his career came in January 2025 when he participated in the inaugural launch of New Glenn, Blue Origin's heavy-lift rocket.
As launch countdowns progressed inside mission control, the years of preparation suddenly became real. "I went from not knowing what classes to take, to helping launch a rocket into space," he said. "It was absurd."
When New Glenn successfully lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Trenton and his team monitored communications with a demonstration satellite deployed into orbit. "It was one of the craziest nights of my life," he said. "You'll never forget your first launch."
Today, Trenton works as a Regulatory Engineer for Planet Labs, a leading Earth-observation company that operates one of the world's largest fleets of imaging satellites. His work combines technical expertise, international collaboration, and policy development. He regularly works with organizations and government agencies around the world to help shape the future of satellite communications and space operations.
"It's exciting because the world is waking up to the fact that space is fundamentally different now," he said. "We're trying to build the next generation of infrastructure in space."
His current work has taken him from engineering discussions to international policy conversations, including participation in advisory efforts related to global telecommunications and space regulation. For someone who once questioned whether he belonged in college, the journey has been remarkable.
Trenton 's message to current Normandale students, especially first-generation students, is simple: persistence and community.
"The word that comes to mind immediately is persistence," he said. "Every stumble, every fall, you just get back up." But persistence alone isn't enough. "You need community," he added. "There are moments when you can't solve a problem on your own. That's when your support system matters."
He also encourages students not to let fear stop them from pursuing opportunities. "Apply. Just go for it," he said.
"The biggest barrier is usually yourself."
Although his career continues to evolve, Trenton hasn't forgotten where it began. When asked how Normandale students can help him, his answer focused on mentorship. "My door is always open," he said. "Whether somebody wants a mentor, a one-time conversation, or just wants to learn about careers in space, I want to be that person."
For Trenton, success isn't measured only by rockets launched or policies written. It's about continuing the cycle of support that helped him succeed. After all, the journey that carried him from academic suspension to NASA, Blue Origin, and international space policy started with people who believed in him.
And as he tells students today, sometimes all it takes is one person asking a simple question:
"Why not you?"
"If you apply yourself, believe in yourself, and don't give up, amazing things can happen."
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