News
For Captain Allen “Al” Maurer, flying was never only a career. It was a lifelong passion he shared freely with others.
Long after building a distinguished aviation career, Maurer remained a familiar presence at Kent State University Airport, where he encouraged student pilots, shared lessons from decades in the flight deck and made time for anyone eager to learn.
When Zubawer Ibn Atique arrived at Kent State’s College of Aeronautics and Engineering from Bangladesh, he came with a passion for aerospace engineering and a desire to work in an environment that "encourages innovation, ambitious thinking, and growth without fear of failure."
As a professional pilot major, Kent State junior Ashanti Mallit's immediate goal is to earn her instrument rating. She's one review flight away from completing the practical portion of her instrument check ride, having already passed the oral examination.
The university logged more than 19,000 total flight hours in 2025, representing a 5 percent increase over the previous year and continuing a strong upward trend in flight activity.
Kent State University's College of Aeronautics and Engineering has appointed Yi Gao, Ph.D., as the first director of its newly established School of Aeronautics. An internationally recognized aviation scholar from Purdue University, Gao brings extensive leadership experience in academic governance, program development, and industry partnerships, along with more than $2.5 million in competitive research funding. His appointment marks a pivotal moment for Kent State as it advances one of the nation's most comprehensive aviation programs, with Gao's vision focused on student-centered excellence, expanded research activity, and strengthened connections with industry and community partners.
Experts from government, law, aviation and emergency response gathered Nov. 19 for Dronavation 2025, a daylong symposium at Kent State University focused on the expanding role of drones in public safety and the rapidly changing legal environment that surrounds their use.
A lifelong love of planes and jets, paired with unwavering support from her parents to pursue her dreams, led Olivia Voyzey through a rigorous aerospace engineering degree at Kent State as a first-generation college student.
From study abroad in Florence to award-winning aviation research and international conference participation, Reilly Ferrie has taken advantage of every opportunity available at Kent State University.
This past summer, Nil served as a Service Desk Level I Intern at Flynn Group, providing customer service and technical support across the group's numerous locations, developing essential skills that transformed his career trajectory.
For Cole Dockus, a student in Kent State's College of Aeronautics and Engineering, finding the right internship meant more than just gaining experience—it meant positioning himself at the forefront of the aerospace industry.