Since its founding in 1989, the AAAE foundation has awarded more than 3,780 scholarships, providing more than $7.8 million in educational support. For the 2026-2027 academic year alone, the foundation awarded 124 scholarships totaling $515,500, empowering students across the country to advance their education and career goals.
“The foundation is one of the most visible expressions of AAAE’s commitment to our members and the future of our industry,” said AAAE President and CEO Todd Hauptli. “These scholarships open doors for students, support families and reflect the values that define AAAE as we prepare for our second century of service to the airport community.”
Behind every scholarship is a story of a student pursuing a dream, a family receiving meaningful support and a future made more attainable through education.
The foundation’s scholarship portfolio reflects the broad and diverse needs of the airport industry and the AAAE community. Through programs such as the Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) Scholarship, Endorsed by an A.A.E. Scholarship, Aviation Management Scholarship and other targeted initiatives, the foundation invests in the next generation of aviation leaders while also supporting the educational aspirations of A.A.E. families.
That distinction is important. While several foundation scholarships are specifically designed to develop the future aviation workforce, others are intentionally broader in scope, recognizing the value of education itself and supporting the children of accredited members regardless of their chosen field of study.
At times, those two objectives intersect. By supporting educational opportunity broadly, the foundation helps cultivate future leaders whose skills and experiences ultimately strengthen the aviation industry in ways that extend beyond traditional career paths.
For Iyanuoluwa Dosunmu, an A.A.E. Scholarship recipient at Washington University in St. Louis, those opportunities have helped shape an educational path that spans finance, legal studies and international business. Through internships in consulting and venture capital, as well as study abroad experiences in London
and Bangkok, she has developed a growing interest in applying her skills within the aviation industry.
“This scholarship means so much to me because it allows me to make my dreams a reality. As I pursue a degree in finance at WashU, I am laying the foundation for a future in aviation,” Dosunmu said.
“The AAAE Foundation scholarship has been a huge blessing to our family, helping fund Iyanuoluwa’s education while reinforcing her interest in pursuing a career in aviation,” said her father, Basil Dosunmu, A.A.E., CPA, CIA, who was accredited in September 2023, and is chief financial officer at the Capital Region Airport Commission/Richmond International in Virginia. “My own experience in the A.A.E. program and with AAAE has shown me the importance of investing in the next generation of leaders, and it is rewarding to see that impact come full circle.”
Her story underscores a simple yet powerful truth: investing in education is ultimately an investment in people — individuals whose talents, leadership and ideas will help shape aviation’s future and strengthen communities across the country.
Today, foundation scholarship recipients can be found throughout the aviation industry and far beyond. Many have built careers as airport executives, planners, consultants, engineers and educators, helping to advance the industry from within. Others have pursued paths in medicine, law, business, public service and a wide range
of other professions. While their careers may differ, they share a common foundation: the opportunity to pursue their aspirations with the support of an industry that recognized their potential and invested in their success.
“One of the things I value most about the foundation is that it invests in people at pivotal moments in their lives,” said Ingrid Hairston, A.A.E., chair of the AAAE Foundation Committee and chief revenue officer at the Birmingham (Ala.) Airport Authority. “These scholarships provide more than financial support — they provide encouragement, opportunity and confidence. They send a message to students that their goals matter and that this industry believes in their potential.”
As AAAE approaches its centennial in 2028, foundation leaders are focused on ensuring these opportunities remain available for future generations.
The association’s first century was built by leaders who understood the importance of investing in people. The foundation continues that tradition today by helping students pursue higher education,
reduce financial barriers and achieve their goals.
“Supporting students is workforce development,” said AAAE Chair Marshall Stevens, A.A.E., vice president and chief operating officer at the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority. “As we prepare for AAAE’s second century, we have an opportunity to invest in the people who will shape the future of our profession and our communities. The foundation is one of the most meaningful ways we can do that.”
The foundation’s impact is measured not only in dollars awarded, but in lives transformed, opportunities created and futures shaped.
For nearly four decades, its investments have helped students pursue their ambitions, supported families in achieving educational goals, and opened doors for generations of future leaders. For nearly four decades, AAAE has invested in people. The challenge — and the opportunity — now is to ensure that legacy continues for generations to come.
As AAAE approaches its centennial in 2028, the AAAE Foundation has launched the 1928 Campaign to strengthen support for future scholarship recipients and the next generation of airport and aviation leaders.
Named for the year AAAE was founded, the campaign honors nearly a century of leadership and service while looking ahead to the association’s next century of impact.
The campaign’s first initiative, the Legacy Challenge, seeks to secure 100 new recurring donors in 100 days.
Through recurring giving, members and industry partners can help create sustainable support for Foundation scholarships and educational programs.
Learn more and take the Legacy Challenge at aaae.org/foundation.
Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) Scholarship
Grace Acklen
Emma Acklen
Sarah Aumueller
Claire Brean
Zoe Bumen
Cameron Butler
Rebekah Christensen
Jack Cizauskas
Alexandria Clendaniel
Laura Connell
Noah Cooper
Lauren Cugno
Ryan Curtis
Praha Daisley
Sean Denny
Noah Denny
Iyanuoluwa Dosunmu
Joseph Dranzik
Victor Elguezabal
Isabella Elguezabal
Valencia Elkins
Alex Elling
Ella Faulkner
Gavin Freese
Conner Goetz
Sarah Graves
Ethan Griffin
Lane Haring
Jon Harris
Camden Huckaby
Madison Judd
Mireilla Kamprath
Guyer Kopplin
Patrick Leonard,
A.A.E., ACE
Sarah Llerena
Marianna Luce
Adrienne Luce
Faith Macaluso
Jachin Miller
William Morgan
Liam O’Donnell
Mairin O’Neill
Amanda Papko
Elliana Piette
Savannah Prather
Hunter Ramsey
Kyra Richardson
Maria Romanick, A.A.E.
Evan Romo
Kyla Sheehan
Declan Sheehan
Preston Simon
Isabella Skramstad
Abigail Smighelschi
Anna Smighelschi
Priya Solanki
William Stout
Grant Terreri
Hugh Terreri
Madalynn Thompson
Presley Toth
William Towle, A.A.E.
Emily Towle
Shane Treudt
Hailey Treudt
Neha Vedi
Everest Walker
Paxton Wallace
Thomas Waller
Holly Waller
Kaylise Watson
Megan White
Cora White
Christopher White, A.A.E.
Gerrie Williams
Endorsed by an A.A.E. Scholarship
Samantha Avampato
Blythe Blaser
Bailey Blaser
Zoe Blount
Emily Bond
Colby Brogan
Eva Douglas
Madeline Flicker
Madison Hickman
Zaelyn Horton
Kailyn Hyman
Trai Ingram
Jada Kelley
Blake Montgomery
Evelyn Shaw
Lincoln Shaw
Eavan Swanson
Isabella Taylor
Zach Thornton
Aviation Management
Scholarship
Jacob Atwater
Jetta Briggs
Caleb Hall
Harrison Humes
Stephany Kanno
Emilio Munoz
Oscar Provonsha
Ian Purrone
Cassidy Reale
Kyria Taillon
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarship
Joshua Clemons
Carl D. Newman, A.A.E., Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarship
Eric Zhang
Native American Scholarship
Ellie Cheek
Nathaniel Varela
The Oris W. Dunham, Jr. and Sylvia M. Dunham Scholarship
Joshua Fowler
Yulia Klokova
Garrett Mills
Asia Olcott
Lucas Sides
The William Robert Hauptli Scholarship for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Erik Peterson, C.M.
Women in Aviation Scholarship
Hope Marshburn
Linda Daschle Women in Aviation Scholarship
Oaklie Zdrojewski
Gina Adams Women in Aviation Scholarship
Makayla Galler
Trish Gilbert Women in Aviation Scholarship
Madalyne Hunt
Claudia Holliway Women in Aviation Scholarship
Rayni Rister
Sharon Pinkerton Women in Aviation Scholarship
Kaetlyn Lever
Sara Nelson Women in Aviation Scholarship
Gretchen House
Faye Malarkey Black Women in Aviation Scholarship
Julianne Jones
Jane Garvey Women in Aviation Scholarship
Katherine Adams