Focus of UND summit: Aviation industry diversity

‘We offer something very special,’ says Theresa Claiborne, keynote speaker and first female African American pilot in the U.S. Air Force

Editor’s note: In the UND LEADS Strategic Plan, the Equity core value calls on UND to “invest in diverse programs and initiatives that will help faculty, staff, and departments enhance DEIA efforts.”

With that objective in mind, this story calls attention to the recent Faces of the Industry Summit, an event produced by the Odegard School for Aerospace Sciences that’s meant — as the story puts it — to help celebrate diversity and inclusion in the aviation industry

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By Averie Eixenberger

On Oct. 15, UND’s Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences hosted the fourth annual Faces of the Industry Summit. This celebration of diversity and inclusion in the aviation industry is led by the student representatives from the UND chapters of the Latino Pilots Association, National Gay Pilots Association, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Professional Asian Pilots Association and Women in Aviation International aviation groups.

This year’s event featured three panels, each focusing on a different aspect of DEI initiatives within aviation. The All Angles of Industry, Allies in Aviation and Future of Diversity in the Industry panels highlighted speakers from all different backgrounds and included discussions of diversity in the aviation industry.

The event was concluded with a keynote address by Capt. Theresa Claiborne, the first Black woman pilot in the U.S. Air Force.

The event brought in speakers from all over the world to share their experiences and give advice to students. It saw record attendance this year with more than 600 students, faculty and staff turning out to hear from these aerospace professionals.

You can do both

The event began in the morning with the All Angles of the Industry panel, which looked to highlight diverse careers in aerospace and discuss overcoming adversity as a minority within the industry. The panel was moderated by students Evelyn Jordan and Alexander Shetty, who led the panelists through discussions about the panelists’ careers and lives.

“I didn’t come from an aviation background,” said aviator Tracey Curtis-Taylor. “It never occurred to me that I would ever fly. In order to understand why there are still so few female commercial pilots, you have to look at the culture that created it.

“But let me just say this, you don’t fly a biplane more than 40,000 miles open cockpit and not have a bit of a backbone.”

This panel featured Air Force Aircraft Commander and Delta Air Lines First Officer Alicia Makoutz, Trident First Officer Yuko Thomas, Vintage Airplane Aviator and Author Tracey Curtis-Taylor, United Aviate Recruiter Koiula Lau and Envoy First Officer Heidi Nam. Among the topics discussed by the panel was the challenge of blending family and career:

“Women reaching their Airline Transport Pilot license is in the single digits, and I feel that among other factors, this is due to women feeling the pressure to choose between careers and family,” Makoutz said. “You shouldn’t have to choose between one or the other. You can do both. It can be challenging, but is completely doable. You have to have a good support system.”

The group discussed obstacles they faced, how they balanced familial pressures while pursuing their dream careers and where they hope the industry will go in the future in regard to diversity, equity and inclusion. They spoke of how they have seen the industry adapt and how to deal with unprofessionalism in the workplace.

“Professionalism is very vital in all circumstances,” Thomas said. “I had one incident with a passenger who told me that they did not want to fly with me because I was a woman. I said, ‘OK, that’s your choice’ and called my boss to rearrange ground transportation for him. He ended up changing his mind, and we took off.

“When we landed and were taxiing back to the gate, I heard this strange noise coming from behind me and I looked back, and he was clapping. He came up to me and said that he was so sorry for being so rude, and it really showed me how essential it is to remain calm and professional no matter what happens.”

Within this panel was Koiula Lau, who received the Legacy award, which recognizes an industry leader who contributes significantly to diversity and inclusion in aerospace. Lau was recognized for her caring nature toward the people she works with and her dedication to expanding opportunities for students of all backgrounds.

“Lean on your support systems,” Lau said. “I have mentees who say, ‘I’m so sorry to bother you, but I need some guidance.’ One, you should never feel like you are bothering me, that’s what I’m here for. [Mentors] are there for a reason, so reach out to them.”

Feeling like you belong

The second panel of the day was the Allies in Aviation Panel, focusing on LGBTQ+ allyship and promoting inclusion within the aerospace industry. Moderated by students Thomas Bullock and Kallen Wachi, this panel discussed issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community, both in careers in aerospace and on college campuses.

Panelists at this event were Southwest Airlines Senior Safety Management System Consultant Vanya Voskresensky, Horizon Air First Officer Jacquelyn Emery, United Aviate Academy/NGPA Chapter President Claudia Betten, Director of North Dakota Space Grant Consortium Caitlin Milera and Jeff Maliskey, director of the UND Pride Center.

“There are people who think we should not exist as a group of people,” Betten said. “It’s an everyday fight to prove our right to exist as people.”

The panel discussed obstacles like finding community and acceptance in the industry, fears of discussing family life with co-workers, and mental health. The panelists explained that what may seem like small remarks to some can have a major impact on others.

“A lot of the hate that myself and a lot of other people in this community receive is indirect,” Emery said. “No one is coming up to you and saying they are homophobic, but they are making jokes and comments. The most important thing to do is to shut it down. It can be hard, but if we don’t stand up for it now, they will continue to make the workplace uncomfortable.”

Maliskey was presented with the Bridge award, which recognizes a faculty or staff  member who goes above and beyond to welcome students of all backgrounds. He was commended for his dedication toward diversity and inclusion for UND students and fostering a safe space.

“I’ve been at UND for a while,” he said. “When I started school, there really were no experiences around student organizations for LGBTQ people. At the time, it was still essentially illegal to be gay.

“We really have grown a lot over the past 20 years. And having some of these organizations that are present here today and watching them grow over the years has shown how important these affinity organizations are for finding community.”

Say yes to everything

The day’s final panel centered on the Future of Diversity in the Industry and featured students from aviation schools around the country as well as UND. Moderated by students Maho Tsukamoto and Shanelle D’souza, the panel focused on the student perspective of where the industry is now and where students hope to see it move in the future.

“Look to your left and right in your classes,” Kallen Wachi said. “Do any of these people actually look like you? Probably not, and you sometimes feel like you are alone in your own skin. We try to create that home in our orgs that is missing here sometimes.”

On this panel from other institutions was Sydney Fago, WAI chapter president at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach; United Aviate Academy NGPA Chapter President Claudia Betten; University of Nebraska Omaha PAPA Chapter President and NGPA Chapter Treasurer Chiharu Shuai; and Western Michigan University LPA President Kristofer Fedje.

Representing UND’s affinity chapters was OBAP President Abraham Akinbobola, WAI Event Coordinator Averie Eixenberger, LPA Chair Alexander Shetty, PAPA President Kallen Wachi and NGPA Vice President Olivia Farnsworth.

“I believe that allyship expands beyond what the organizations do,” Shuai said. “Just being out in your community, either trying to make classrooms or any other space welcoming to the people in these groups feel safe by, for example, shutting down sexist or racist jokes.”

This panel stressed the importance of student involvement on campus and encouraged students of all backgrounds to attend meetings at each of the affiliated student organizations. It recognized how a lifelong commitment to DEI starts as students, and how change in the industry can only happen if students push for it.

“Say yes to everything,” Akinbobola said. “When I joined OBAP, I had no intention of becoming president. Saying yes is the first big step because you never know what you will get out of it. So, say yes and find out later where it takes you.”

Don’t apologize for who you are

A highlight of the event was the keynote address by Capt. Claiborne. The first Black woman pilot in the Air Force and an industry trailblazer for diversity and inclusion, Claiborne gave her address to a packed house of students, faculty and industry attendees.

“I didn’t have any mentors — it was just me, myself and I,” Claiborne said.

Claiborne’s career spans more than 20,000 flight hours, flying everything from KC-135 Stratotankers in the Air Force to Boeing 787s for United Airlines. She soloed her first aircraft on May 20, 1981, launching her into a lifelong career in aviation.

“It’s something I really wanted, so I applied myself,” Claiborne said. “If it’s something you really want, you just hunker down and get it done.”

Claiborne’s personable nature shined through in the second half of her address, when she opened the floor to questions. Students got the chance to ask her directly about her experiences and for advice.

“That’s what you ought to be wanting to do — to inspire,” Claiborne advised. “Any group that you belong to, inspire. It’s a great thing.”

Beyond the flight deck, Claiborne is a co-founder of Sisters of the Skies. She has devoted herself to empowering the next generation of Black female pilots and has become an inspiration to many.

“Don’t be apologetic,” Claiborne said. “You have probably figured out that I am unapologetically a Black woman, and I’m not ashamed of that. If you belong to one of these affinity orgs, you know what you need. But you also need to demand your members do their part. One of things I knew as the first, was that I better do a good job. You can’t make it harder on the next person.”

Claiborne stressed to students the importance of working hard and fighting for your place in this industry. She advised students to strive to be the best and to know that they belong. “I think that as pilots, we have that mindset that we have to be good the first time. But get it together, because you are going to have to fight for everything you have. Don’t give anyone an opportunity to tell you that you aren’t good enough,” Claiborne said.

“They are now using diversity as a nasty word,” Claiborne added. “It’s not harming anyone, and it’s what we need. One of the best compliments I ever received was from a co-operator in the military. Our crew had been made up of three women, and this young man, he said, ‘[I] just want you to know that was the best flight I’ve ever been on in my life.’ I said, ‘Why was that?’ He said, ‘Because I’ve never been on a flight where there wasn’t a bunch of testosterone bouncing off the windscreen. You flew a great aircraft, there was no competition — you just wanted to work together.’

“So, for those of you out there who think we are here to just fill a square, let me tell you something: We offer something very special.”

>> Do you have a question or comment about the UND LEADS Strategic Plan? Your thoughts are welcome! Please contact Mike Wozniak, coordinator of Leadership & Programming, and/or Ryan Zerr, associate vice president for Strategy & Implementation, the co-chairs of the UND LEADS Implementation Committee. You also may offer your thoughts by visiting the UND LEADS Strategic Plan home page and clicking on the “Provide your feedback” link. Thank you for your support of the UND LEADS Strategic Plan!

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About the author:

Averie Eixenberger is a Commercial Aviation and English major at UND. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career as an airline pilot and work within aviation journalism.