Contact:
Christine M. Randolph, The Wings Club Foundation
Michael Tullier, APR, ŷ Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
A collaboration between ŷ’s Department of Aerospace Science Engineering and The Wings Club Foundation is bringing what promises to be an insider’s perspective to aerospace and defense industry careers to campus on Thursday, Oct. 10.
The Wings Club’s “Aerospace on Campus Series” — a collaboration between the nonprofit aviation industry organization and the Aviation Week Network — gives students insight into career opportunities in the business, cybersecurity, information technology, engineering, and manufacturing sectors, just to name a few.
“We know there are tremendous growth opportunities in the aerospace industry, which is why we’re so excited about this partnership with The Wings Club,” said Dr. M. Javed Khan, head of Tuskegee’s Department of Aerospace Science Engineering. “The perspectives our students of all disciplines, not just aerospace engineering, will gain through this event will be invaluable to their post-graduate career goals.”
During the 4 p.m. forum in the university’s Luther H. Foster Hall auditorium, students will hear from Elise Eberwein, executive vice president for people and communications at American Airlines, and Irene Klotz, space editor with Aviation Week Network. The pair will share with students how they can better connect with industry experts and hiring managers about careers in the aerospace and aviation industries.
“Through this sharing of leadership experience, The Wings Club Foundation contributes to the shaping of the next generation of aviation professionals,” said Executive Director Tom Fitzsimmons.
Also representing American Airlines at the forum will be Marissa Horne, managing director for talent acquisition and talent management. Students attending the forum will also receive a complimentary digital subscription to Aviation Week & Space Technology.
In her role as American Airlines’ EVP for people and communications, leads human resources, media relations, team member communications and engagement, community relations and social media for the company, which numbers more than 128,000 employees worldwide. Her 32-year aviation career began as a flight attendant for TWA while in college, and has spanned several airlines, for which she has lead media relations, employee communications, customer relations, community relations and government affairs.
is a 30-year veteran journalist with experience covering topics relating to aviation, human and robotic spaceflight, commercial space, astronomy, science and technology for Reuters, United Press International, Discovery News and Space.com — among others and in addition to her current role with Aviation Week. Commercial space remains the focus of her work, along with a keen interest in the search for life beyond Earth.
The Wings Club Foundation’s educational initiative, the “Aerospace on Campus Series” in partnership with Aviation Week, is gaining recognition and momentum. Having long been a high priority for The Wings Club, its university-level program that highlights both technical and management careers in aviation and aerospace, is a program coordinated by the Foundation’s Historical and Education Committee.
The program involves industry leaders and Aviation Week executives visiting select schools to make presentations to the students and faculty. Since its inception, faculty and students of the visited universities have offered words of praise and gratitude as well as their commitment to building long-term relationships.
While on campus, The Wings Club contingent will also meet with Tuskegee President Lily D. McNair, as well as tour the George Washington Carver Museum and the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site.
Founded in the early days of World War II as venue for aviation leaders local to New York City to gather and chart the course for the future of aeronautics, The Wings Club has grown to include participation by aviation and aerospace leaders, government administrators, famous pilots, inventors and innovators the world over. Today, the nonprofit industry organization supports scholarships for students who will pursue careers in aviation or aerospace, provides programs to educate in the field of aviation, and supports charitable organizations that use aviation to help those in need. For more, visit .
ŷ hosts the nation’s only accredited aerospace science engineering program based at a historically black college or university (HBCU). Students who have earned bachelor’s degrees from Tuskegee in this field can be found working globally in the U.S. Armed Forces, governmental agencies, and leading aerospace companies in the private sector. The university is regularly cited by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education as being a top producer of minority engineering professionals in the aerospace and other industry sectors.
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