Alumni Spotlight
Captain Allen Maurer’s Love of Flying Shaped Generations of Kent State Aviators
For Captain Allen “Al” Maurer, '73, 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.
I AM FIRST: Olivia Voyzey ’25
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.
Alumni Spotlight: Riley Jones, B.S. ’24, Computer Engineering Technology
What began as a high school job bagging groceries at Heinen’s led Riley Jones to a full-time career in IT. Now an IT Specialist at the company’s corporate office, Jones manages technology systems across retail stores, warehouses, and a datacenter.
How Kent State Prepares Pilots to Master the Skies … Even the Blimp!
Kent State’s College of Aeronautics and Engineering thoroughly prepares graduates for successful careers in aviation – whether that means piloting a fixed-wing airplane or one of America’s most beloved aircraft.
Alumnus Making Tire Production Safer and More Efficient
Michael Parker’s decision to study mechatronics at Kent State University was driven by his lifelong curiosity for intricate mechanical systems and understanding how they work
Hands-on Learning, Real-World Success
Unsure of what he wanted to do in life when he first came to Kent State University, it was the hands-on learning experiences he had in his degree program that led Dexter Shreve to becoming a business owner.
Alumni Spotlight - Dexter Shreve, '13
Dexter credits the hands-on learning experiences for preparing him for the real-world challenges of his career. In particular, the Materials and Processes class provided him with essential skills in machining, welding, and casting, which he later applied in various engineering roles.
Alumni Spotlight - Dexter Shreve '13
Dexter credits the hands-on learning experiences for preparing him for the real-world challenges of his career. In particular, the Materials and Processes class provided him with essential skills in machining, welding, and casting, which he later applied in various engineering roles.
Alumni Spotlight - Ethan Duncan
From his very first visit to Kent State College of Aeronautics and Engineering, Ethan Duncan felt right at home. The allure of the campus and the immersive air traffic controllers resonated deeply and he felt an immediate sense of belonging and excitement for what lay ahead.
Alumni Spotlight: Linell Olecki '06—From Kent State Cockpit to Airport Boardroom: Linell's Path to Leading AECOM's Northeast Aviation Team
She came to Kent State chasing a pilot's license, but found her calling in airport management instead. Now she's leading AECOM's Northeast Aviation team, shaping the infrastructure of airports nationwide. Read how a Kent State grad went from the cockpit to the boardroom.
