Students, Alumni Meet at Women in Aviation Conference

Embry-Riddle alumni and students were out in full force at the 23rd Annual International Women in Aviation Conference on March 8-10. Hosted in Dallas, Texas, the conference also set the stage for a first-time meeting between the new Women’s Ambassador Program student representatives from the Prescott and Daytona Beach campuses, pictured at right with university President and CEO John P. Johnson and his wife, university ambassador Maurie Johnson.

For Prescott WAP student co-coordinator Katelynn McClure meeting the other ambassadors gave her new insight into the university. "We really got to discuss the similarities and differences between our campuses," she said. "As students, it's easy to feel like your campus is an isolated part of Embry-Riddle. It was beneficial to get that connection to the bigger picture." 

The 16 women student ambassadors helped spread the word at the conference about how alumnae can also get involved in the university’s Women’s Initiative, which is working to increase female enrollment Embry-Riddle and ultimately grow the number of women in aerospace and engineering career fields. The ambassadors, clad in matching Embry-Riddle blouses and blazers, “made waves” throughout the conference, said Michele Berg, assistant vice president of Alumni Relations. The ambassadors helped staff the Embry-Riddle tradeshow booth, and visited with fellow Eagles at the alumni luncheon and other conference activities.

“They did a fantastic job representing the university and our new Women’s Initiative,” Berg said. “We talked to dozens of female graduates who were excited about getting involved as mentors and guest speakers. We are continuing to build our team, thanks to the opportunities we had to connect with alumnae at the conference.”

More than 50 alumni checked in with the Alumni Association to provide updated contact information, and later attended the March 10 alumni luncheon at the Hilton Anatole with students from Women in Aviation clubs.

Among the alumnae attending the luncheon, Ariel Talen-Keller (’11, WW) found common ground with the ambassadors. As the reigning Mrs. Alaska for the United States All World Beauties National Pageant, Talen-Keller spoke to luncheon attendees about her platform project, GirlsFlyToo, a program designed to encourage and educate women to be involved in aviation.

“It was an honor to meet other great women who have pursued their aviation dreams at Embry-Riddle,” she said.

Johnson, also in attendance at the luncheon, said it was wonderful to see Embry-Riddle women in action and sharing their stories at the conference.

“We’re making great strides and when I come to this conference, I see what strides are being made more globally,” he said. “I am so pleased to see the increase and interest from young women.”