From SBCC to NASA

Rory Barton-Grimley once had no interest in school. Today, he designs instruments for NASA — and traces it all back to Santa Barbara City College.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Rory Barton-Grimley, who once 'barely graduated high school', is now a NASA Research Scientist. His unconventional path began at Santa Barbara City College, where he discovered a passion for astronomy and physics that led him to a position at NASA designing and building instruments to study the atmosphere and climate.

Why it matters

Barton-Grimley's story highlights the transformative power of community colleges like SBCC, which can provide a supportive environment for students to discover their true academic and career passions, even if their high school performance was lackluster. His journey also demonstrates how SBCC's strong transfer program and faculty mentorship can help students seamlessly transition to four-year universities and advanced degree programs.

The details

After graduating high school with little interest in academics, Barton-Grimley took a job mopping floors at a car shop. There, he befriended a master mechanic who sparked his curiosity about how things work. This led him to enroll at SBCC, where a pivotal Astronomy 101 course with Professor Erin O'Connor ignited his passion for science. Barton-Grimley went on to excel in math and physics at SBCC, becoming a tutor and even a lecturer for the Astronomy 101 course. SBCC professors connected him with opportunities at UC Santa Barbara and the University of Colorado Boulder, where he earned his PhD in aerospace engineering. This path ultimately led him to a full-time research scientist role at NASA, where he designs and builds instruments to study the atmosphere and climate.

  • Barton-Grimley graduated from Carpinteria High School.
  • After high school, Barton-Grimley took a job mopping floors at a Carpinteria car shop.
  • After four years at the car shop, Barton-Grimley enrolled at Santa Barbara City College.
  • Barton-Grimley took Astronomy 101 with Professor Erin O'Connor at SBCC.
  • Barton-Grimley graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2014 and entered the PhD program at the University of Colorado Boulder.
  • Barton-Grimley completed his PhD in 2019 and joined NASA as a full-time research scientist.

The players

Rory Barton-Grimley

A NASA Research Scientist who once 'barely graduated high school' but found his passion for science at Santa Barbara City College.

Erin O'Connor

A professor at Santa Barbara City College who taught the Astronomy 101 course that ignited Barton-Grimley's interest in science.

Fred Marshak

The longtime program head of the Astronomy department at Santa Barbara City College, who provided mentorship and support to Barton-Grimley.

Philip Lubin

A professor at UC Santa Barbara who Barton-Grimley worked with in a physics lab during his time at SBCC.

University of Colorado Boulder

The institution where Barton-Grimley earned his PhD in aerospace engineering after transferring from SBCC.

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What they’re saying

“It was the first time where I felt interested in something. It felt like it was the first time that I had an educator interact with me in a way that encouraged me to explore the things I was interested in.”

— Rory Barton-Grimley (independent.com)

“That was an opportunity I would not have gotten anywhere but SBCC.”

— Rory Barton-Grimley (independent.com)

“So no matter how different your path can be, you don't feel abnormal for it. And I definitely did not feel that.”

— Rory Barton-Grimley (independent.com)

What’s next

Barton-Grimley continues his work at NASA, designing and building instruments to study the atmosphere and climate. He remains connected to SBCC and hopes to inspire other students who may have struggled in high school to pursue their passions at a community college.

The takeaway

Rory Barton-Grimley's journey from a disinterested high school student to a NASA research scientist underscores the transformative power of community colleges like SBCC. By providing a supportive environment, engaged faculty, and pathways to four-year universities, SBCC helped Barton-Grimley discover his true academic and career calling, proving that the road less traveled can lead to remarkable destinations.