U.S. Navy Lieutenant Jaleesa T. Harrigan is a devoted, career-driven and outgoing young professional who has made a name for herself in the field of engineering. She is a native of Danbury, CT and a nuclear-trained Surface Warfare Officer (SWO-N) in the United States Navy. Jaleesa is a graduate of Bethel High School and participated in the Y.E.S I Can summer program for three consecutive years. She serves as a member of the fundraising team and was Mistress of Ceremony for the virtual 38th AMBYESE Conference held on November 13, 2021. She a proud alumna of AMBYESE and continues to contribute to the programs agenda. She is a Howard University Alumna with a Bachelor’s of Science in Applied Mathematics and a minor in Computer Science. While pursuing her degree, she was an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Bison Cheerleading, Math Club and Pi Mu Epsilon Math Honor Society.
Jaleesa earned her commission through the George Washington University Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps. She served aboard USS BUNKER HILL (CG-52), developing proficiency in leading teams through various navigation, combat systems, and tactical surface warfare scenarios. Jaleesa successfully matriculated the Navy’s post-graduate nuclear propulsion training pipeline, which focused on theory, design, operation and maintenance of naval nuclear propulsion plants.
Ms. Harrigan served aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCLON (CVN-72) as the production manager for the carrier’s reactor propulsion systems and led watch teams through her role as a Propulsion Plant Watch Officer. She provided ongoing expertise in unit-level nuclear energy, maintenance, repairs, planning, crew supervision, quality assurance and compliance. As a Department of Energy and Department of Defense qualified supervisor of Navy Nuclear Propulsion systems, she enforced effective reactor management, radiological controls, and environmental safety while fulfilling the role of a principal assistant to the ship’s Reactor Officer.
In February 2020, Jaleesa received the “Most Promising Engineer in Government” Award at the 2020 Black Engineer of the Year STEM Conference. Stationed in Millington, TN as a Nuclear Programs Manager, she prepares potential engineers for the Navy.