As airport leaders and industry stakeholders gather for the 98th Annual AAAE Conference & Exposition, one of the clearest glimpses into the future of our profession is the growing momentum of the AAAE 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 AAAE 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 AAAE 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 AAAE 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 AAAE 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. AAAE Sooner Chapter President Katie Gibson reflects: “The AAAE Student Chapter Program has given our members direct access to the airport industry through conferences, guest speakers and AAAE 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. AAAE is more than an organization for us, it’s a launching point into the industry.”
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 SWAAAE Annual Management Short Course. The chapter also raises awareness of UC Davis’ University Airport, the only university-owned airport in the UC system. Chapter Founder Eavan Swanson says: “The 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.”
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’s 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 “Share Nights” 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 AAAE Student Leadership Council, chapter leaders share updates, exchange best practices
and coordinate programming nationwide. Introduced at the 97th Annual AAAE Conference and Exposition
in 2025, the AAAE Student Network’s 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.