Koch, a three-time NC State graduate, will return to campus on Aug. 24 following her historic role as a mission specialist on NASA's Artemis II mission earlier this year.
The mission marked a major milestone for space exploration, with Koch becoming the first woman to travel around the moon.
NC State is planning a campus celebration to recognize Koch's accomplishments and her connection to the university. The event is expected to draw alumni, students, faculty and community members eager to celebrate one of the school's most notable graduates.
Koch earned multiple degrees from NC State before going on to a career with NASA that has included record-setting spaceflight missions and now a place in lunar exploration history.
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Koch's homecoming celebration will begin Aug. 24 with a public welcome event from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the Oval at NC State's Centennial Campus. Registration opens Wednesday, Aug. 5, though the university has not yet released a registration link.
The celebration will continue Aug. 25 with a panel discussion featuring Koch, NC State Chancellor Kevin Howell and selected faculty and students. The conversation will focus on the role of public higher education in creating opportunities like those that helped launch Koch's career. The invite-only event is scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Stewart Theatre at Talley Student Union.
Later that day, Koch will meet with students interested in pursuing careers as astronauts. During the session, she will discuss strategies for managing demanding coursework and achieving long-term goals. The event, which is open to current NC State students, will take place from 3 to 4 p.m. in Stewart Theatre.
All events will be livestreamed by the university.