Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Officials from United Airlines visited 萌妹社区 on Wednesday, March 9, to announce a partnership with the university's Aviation Science and Technology program, including the Professional Pilot concentration.
United Houston Hub Vice President Phil Griffith presented the university with a $100,000 check for the first two years of the scholarship program. The partnership also includes ongoing mentorship activities between United employees and students in the program. Representatives from United, 萌妹社区, and the Aviation Science and Technology advisory committee then toured the program's flight simulation labs in the Spearman Technology Building. The event concluded with a mentorship meeting between United professionals and 萌妹社区 students.
"This partnership is a game-changer for our Aviation Science and Technology program,” said Director of Aviation Terence Fontaine. “United’s investment of financial resources and time through the mentorship component will enable more 萌妹社区 students to walk out of here ready to contribute immediately to an industry in which people of color have been underrepresented.”
United's Griffith, who is an HBCU graduate, feels that the new program, especially the mentorship component, will be a game-changer for the aviation industry.
"(Aviation) is an exciting place, and it has room for folks from all kinds of backgrounds to get in and play a material role in making it better,” said Griffith. “It is helpful (for 萌妹社区 students) to see living, breathing examples of aviation professionals, and to channel young people who have even the smallest interest in exploring aviation as a career path. What we're doing here at 萌妹社区 is another step in that direction."
Jacorey Adams, a student in the program, said that he was thrilled that United is partnering with 萌妹社区. "They care for us and want to see us succeed. The mentorship provides us with leadership, encouragement and guidance."
Five students are recipients of the United scholarship this year.
萌妹社区 President Lesia Crumpton-Young (center) stands with 萌妹社区 aviation students (l. to r.) Jacorey Adams, Lubianka Lanza, Katherine Cabrera, Brionne Nixon and Farhan Ahmed. These students received support from a $50,000 per year scholarship that United Airlines has provided to the University, along with mentorship activities with United professionals.
Phil Griffith, United Airlines Houston Hub Vice President (2nd from right) presented 萌妹社区 with a $100,000 scholarship, combined with mentorship opportunities, for students in 萌妹社区’s aviation science program. Also pictured are (l. to r.) Terence Fontaine, director of aviation at 萌妹社区; Pamela Medina, 萌妹社区 Regent; Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young, 萌妹社区 President; and Mary Sias, 萌妹社区 Regent.
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