Nichole Ayers

Nichole Rhea Ayers ( Stilwell; born 13 December 1988) is a lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force and NASA astronaut.

Education Nichole Ayers graduated from Woodland Park High School in Woodland Park, Colorado. Afterward, she attended the United States Air Force Academy, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in mathematics with a minor in Russian in 2011. She earned a master's degree in computational and applied mathematics from Rice University in 2013.

Career

In 2014, Ayers completed flight training and flew the T-38 for an adversary squadron at Langley Air Force Base. She later became a flight instructor, providing adversary training to F-22 Raptor units based at Langley.

In 2018, Ayers completed training for the F-22, serving as a flight instructor for the F-22. Ayers has logged over 200 flight hours during Operation Inherent Resolve.

At the time of her selection as an Astronaut Candidate, Ayers was the assistant director of operations of the 90th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base.

In April 2025, Ayers was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in a surprise ceremony while aboard the International Space Station.

Personal life Ayers and her twin sister, Cydnee, were born in San Diego, California, but she considers Colorado Springs and Divide, Colorado, home. Ayers enjoys sailing, camping, hiking, biking, and working on home projects.