After an extensive search, Orange Coast College is pleased to announce the appointment of Jessica Artinger as the new Director of the OCC Planetarium. Artinger has been serving in a temporary capacity leading programming at the Planetarium since the summer of 2023.
With valuable experience from the space industry, including her role as fabrication lead for the UCLA ELFIN CubeSat Mission, Artinger is well-equipped to oversee the integration of educational initiatives with community-based education and entertainment at the Planetarium. Her responsibilities will include developing and scheduling core educational programs, presentations, and events aimed at increasing public and campus engagement.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jessica Artinger as our new Planetarium Director,” says Tara Giblin, Vice President of Instruction at Orange Coast College. “Her passion for education and the sciences, combined with her extensive experience, will undoubtedly enhance the educational offerings and community engagement at the Planetarium.”
Artinger has been a passionate advocate for the OCC Planetarium for over a decade. In 2015, she voiced her support for the Planetarium’s construction before the Board of Trustees. An accomplished alumna of OCC's Physics and Astronomy departments, she held various leadership roles while a student, including President of the Astronomy Club, President of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Vice Chair of the Advocacy Committee, a branch of ASOCC. She is also a Garrison Honors Fellow, a Hites Scholar, recipient of the David Grant Prize, and was named the 2016 Sharon K. Donoff Student Leader of the Year.
"My roots at OCC and the Planetarium run deep, and I'm truly honored to continue leading this incredible space,” says Artinger. “It's a place where people of all ages can come to imagine new possibilities, explore the universe, and be inspired by the wonders of science. I'm excited to keep building on that mission and expanding access to science education in our community.”
After transferring to UCLA, Artinger earned her bachelor’s degree in astrophysics with a minor in geophysics and planetary physics. While at UCLA, she played a key role in organizing the APS Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics, focusing on increasing participation of community college women. She later earned her master’s degree in mechanical engineering with a focus on thermal and fluids engineering from Cal State Fullerton.
In her spare time, Artinger enjoys playing the French horn in community bands and orchestras throughout Orange County and Los Angeles.