Mocs to the moon: The story of UTC student Noah Dillon and his NASA internship

A student wearing a navy blazer and button-down shirt smiles while standing in front of a brick and white-paneled academic building with large windows.

Noah Dillon is pursuing a master’s degree in computer science: cyber security at UTC. Photo by Angela Foster.

When Noah Dillon walked out of a University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s spring job fair in January 2024, he immediately called his dad. He had just finished speaking with the NASA Office of Inspector General at its pop-up booth, and something about the conversation clicked.

“These people were really cool,” he said. “I felt like I fit right in with them.”

He handed over a résumé and didn’t expect to hear back. But a few weeks later came an email, then interviews, and by May—just two days after graduating from UTC with a bachelor’s degree in computer science—Dillon started his internship with NASA.

Dillon, now pursuing his master’s degree in computer science: cyber security at UTC, had a second NASA internship this past summer.

“It has been one of the most incredible things I’ve done in my life,” Dillon said. “I’ve learned how a large corporation operates, how the government works and how to manage time on a huge scale.”

His main job is modernizing a 20-year-old investigative tool used to detect fraud, waste and abuse in government grants and contracts. The project, he explained, is now a “high-value modernization effort” that draws data from multiple sources to support investigators across the agency.

His recent contributions even earned him an official award on the project.

“It’s a lot of work,” he said, “but it’s extremely useful to the program and a lot of people.”

Dillon’s path to NASA began before he arrived at UTC. After attending a GenCyber summer camp in high school, he decided he wanted a career protecting people’s privacy and data. He enrolled at UTC specifically for its cyber security concentration and the prestigious CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS) program.

Dr. Mengjun Xie, professor and department head of computer science, said Dillon stood out early.

“This is a very competitive program,” Xie explained. “We have fewer than 100 institutions nationwide with this award. Students receive full tuition and a stipend, but they must be willing to serve the federal government after graduation—and Noah demonstrated that commitment.”

Xie described Dillon’s dedication, from conducting paid research on quantum computing education to leading outreach sessions for visiting high school students.

“Among our SFS scholars, Noah is one of the best,” Xie said. “He has a very bright future.”

That dedication showed up in campus life as well. Dillon rose steadily through the ranks of MocSec Cybersecurity, eventually becoming president and chair of the student organization’s executive board. He helped restructure the organization, build committees and create opportunities he wished he’d had as a freshman, especially after beginning college during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Yet behind the technical work is a creative side; Dillon’s interests have shaped him just as much. For five years, he has sung with UTC Chamber Singers.

“Music is a big part of my life,” he said. “It taught me teamwork, confidence and how to multitask. I’ve brought all of that into my work at NASA.”

Dr. Kumar Yelamarthi, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, said Dillon’s story embodies the heart of CECS.

“Noah arrived with curiosity and determination,” Yelamarthi said, “and through mentorship, hands-on learning and a community that believes in every student’s promise, he transformed opportunities into impact.

“Our CECS faculty take pride not only in what our students achieve but also in who they become—leaders who think critically, communicate with confidence, create value for society and instill life-long learning. Noah’s path is his own, and it reminds us that every student’s journey here can be just as exciting and impactful.”