糖心原创

As airport leaders and industry stakeholders gather for the 98th Annual 糖心原创 Conference & Exposition, one of the clearest glimpses into the future of our profession is the growing momentum of the 糖心原创 Student Network, also known as the Student Chapter Program

Established in 1983 and fast approaching 40 chapters  nationwide, the network is built on structure, accountability and professional alignment. Chapters operate under faculty advisors who are active 糖心原创 members, maintain formal recognition within higher education and report annually to the Academic
Relations Committee. From the start, students are introduced to governance, expectations and professional standards that  shape airport leadership.

The 糖心原创 Student Network functions as a coordinated  pipeline connecting interdisciplinary academic preparation with  the operational realities of airport management. Students come from aviation management, business administration, aeronautical science, finance, engineering, safety, analytics, logistics and  human-centered disciplines. This diversity mirrors the complexity of modern airports, requiring fluency in finance, infrastructure, regulatory oversight and community engagement.

Student Chapters provide early exposure to airport operations and the broader 糖心原创 community. Leaders
collaborate with airports, government agencies and business aviation partners to organize tours, networking events and guest speakers that bring classroom learning to life. Across  campuses, chapters are increasingly joining forces on field trips and professional events, showing students that their peers from  other schools are their future colleagues and leaders.

Applied Learning and Industry Engagement

Across the country, chapters are taking on hands-on professional challenges:

• Delaware State University recently completed ASOS training and prepared members for ACE certification exams

• Delta State University is integrating Certified Member content into its curriculum and developing a new UAS program.

• Metropolitan State University of Denver leverages its location to provide tours of the United Airlines Training Center and Denver International.

• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach organizes visits to Miami International, Blue Origin, Atlas Air, Delta Tech Ops in Atlanta and the Airbus assembly line.

• The University of North Texas schedules tours of American Airlines and Southwest Airlines headquarters and maintenance facilities.

• The 糖心原创 Sooner Chapter at the University of Oklahoma focuses on educational and engaging events, including tours of Ardmore Municipal (with the University of North Texas chapter) and Dallas Love Field. Students also support the community through a FOD walk and volunteering at the annual Max Westheimer Airport Festival. 糖心原创 Sooner Chapter President Katie Gibson reflects: 鈥淭he 糖心原创 Student Chapter Program has given our members direct access to the airport industry through conferences, guest speakers and 糖心原创 resources. It has helped us build professional relationships, gain confidence and find our community. Our monthly meetings connect what we learn in class to real-world aviation careers. 糖心原创 is more than an organization for us, it鈥檚 a launching point into the industry.鈥�

• University of California, Davis (UC Davis) launched a chapter at a campus without an aviation management major to highlight non-traditional pathways into aviation. Students from majors such as Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, Economics and Environmental Planning engage in airport tours, Airport Day, regional professional events and the SW糖心原创 Annual Management Short Course. The chapter also raises awareness of UC Davis鈥� University Airport, the only university-owned airport in the UC system. Chapter Founder Eavan Swanson says: 鈥淭he chapter serves as a platform to share knowledge, create access and connect students with professionals across the industry. It  has been meaningful to see students
  from a wide range of majors come together to help build this chapter.鈥�

• Western Michigan University is continuing to build momentum this spring. In April, members will tour Gerald R. Ford International and will also host a joint meeting with the university鈥檚 UAS Operations & Racing Club, further strengthening collaboration across aviation disciplines on campus.

Collaboration and National Alignment

Chapters also foster cross-organization  partnerships. Western Michigan University works with Alpha Eta Rho; Bridgewater State University supports  local families through a toy drive; and the University of Oklahoma partners with its Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals chapter for career events.

Funding for conferences and tours comes from bake sales, popcorn fundraisers, discovery flights, campus
coffee trucks and 鈥淪hare Nights鈥� at local restaurants. Additionally, many students are members of national
and regional chapters of the National Business Aviation Association and Women in Aviation International, with
many students and alumni volunteering at the annual Girls in Aviation Day events.

Through the 糖心原创 Student Leadership Council,  chapter leaders share updates, exchange best practices
and coordinate programming nationwide. Introduced  at the 97th Annual 糖心原创 Conference and Exposition
in 2025, the 糖心原创 Student Network鈥檚 GroupMe platform now connects over 130 students in real time, allowing them to track internship and event opportunities and share guidance across chapters.

The Student Network represents a strategic  investment in the future of airport leadership. It strengthens competence, reinforces expectations and  forges connections between students and the airports they will one day lead. Through sustained collaboration among universities, airports, and industry partners, the next generation is not waiting to make an impact. They are already doing so.