Spencer Furin '17 is an electrical engineer at NASA Glenn Research Center and a John Carroll University alumnus. In this episode, he sits down to discuss what it takes to collaborate under pressure when the stakes are astronomical. Drawing from his work supporting Artemis II—humanity’s first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years—Furin explores how clear communication, technical problem-solving, and building psychological safety allow teams across the globe to solve complex challenges together.
InFormation is hosted by Carolyn Noll Sorg, President of John Carroll University. This is Episode 7.
Spencer Furin earned his degree in Engineering Physics from John Carroll University before pursuing his goal of joining NASA’s team in Northeast Ohio. As an electrical engineer at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, he provides vital systems support for major aerospace missions, including serving in the Mission Evaluation Room for Artemis II.
Rooted in a broad liberal arts foundation, Furin brings a multidimensional perspective to technical engineering. His career spans hardware testing, backroom mission support, and cross-agency collaboration, driven by a passion for advancing space exploration and inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.
In This Episode
How Furin's broad education at JCU shaped his approach to complex problem-solving
What Furin learned when moving from classroom theory to hands-on space hardware
What fueled Furin's determination to land his dream job at NASA Glenn
How Furin explains complex technical data quickly and clearly to Mission Control
How Furin's team figures out what to focus on first when multiple things go wrong at once
How Furin helps build trust across NASA centers, international agencies, and private companies
Why Northeast Ohio plays a much bigger role in space exploration than most people realize
How Furin creates a team culture where people feel safe saying "I don't know"
What the Artemis II Moon mission teaches us about high-stakes teamwork on Earth
One Thing to Try Inspired by this episode, take a moment to evaluate how your team handles high-stakes communication and problem-solving: