Meeting the Challenge of Innovation and Sustainability in Aviation: Charting the Way Forward

FLUSHING, N.Y., Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- On Friday, December 13 Vaughn College hosted a symposium with representatives from industry, government and academia to provide insights on how innovation and sustainability are shaping the future of aviation and specifically the skill sets that the industry will require from the next generation.
Vaughn College President Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo began the day noting that "the objectives of this symposium are to identify the major trends, key uncertainties and driving forces affecting innovation and the resulting transformations of the aviation sector. We want to highlight ways that Vaughn College can respond to these changes, meet the needs of the future aviation industry and attract new students."

DeVivo introduced key event participants including her co-moderator Adam Barsky, executive vice president and chief financial officer, New York Power Authority and the first keynote speaker, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Assistant Administrator for Policy, International Affairs and Environment Laurence Wildgoose. In his remarks, Wildgoose thanked DeVivo for her contributions to the FAA Management Advisory Council since her appointment last year and said "I would like us all to think about the bright future of aviation, sustainability, innovation and opportunity. We can make it better by ensuring that we're handing the next generation a strong aerospace ecosystem to build upon."

Three panels informed the day. The first, "How Innovation and Sustainability are Transforming Aviation," was moderated by Brice Casey, University of Maryland School of Public Policy with panelists Captain Houston Mills, president, flight operations and safety, UPS and past chair FAA's Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee; Nathaniel Kimball, climate advisor, Watershed; Mr. Aidan O'Donnell, general manager, New Jersey airports (Newark and Teterboro), The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; and Greg Pecoraro, Executive Director, NASAO.

The second panel, "New Career Opportunities for Sustainable Aviation," was moderated by DeVivo with panelists Domenic Proscia, vice president of training, Vaughn College; Ed Hill Jr, international representative of the IBEW; and Mr. Ryan Naru, senior specialist, government affairs, Joby Aviation.

Lastly a panel asking the question "How can Policy Drive Innovation in Financing Investment in Aviation?" moderated by Dr. Irving Mintzer, professor, University of Maryland, Smith School of Business with panelists Dr. William Farrell, management department associate professor, Vaughn College; Cheryl Krongard, director, Air Lease Corporation; and Barsky.

The final keynote address by Dr. Russell Read, Co-founder and Managing Partner, C Change Group, discussed infrastructure projects and financing, and his work on the Anchorage Alaska Airport Expansion and other efforts to transform aviation to address sustainability.

The main themes from the day included the:

• Ongoing commitment and inclusion by connecting with underrepresented and under resourced communities;
• Importance of collaboration among educational institutions, industry, and government to build public trust and ensure the successful integration of new technologies;
• Development of innovative and efficient solutions which will include sustainable aviation fuels, electrification of ground equipment, and the integration of new technologies like electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft;
• Need to address infrastructure and power needs including creative financing options for infrastructure improvements, innovative energy storage, and distribution solutions;
• Required exploration of economic and commercial viability of new technologies with a deeper understanding of the return on investment for infrastructure projects and the need for a viable commercial model;
• Continuous collaboration with policy makers and regulatory agencies for support;
• Compelling need to center talent development and apprenticeships to ensure a pipeline of talent for the future.

"This was an incredible day of exchanging ideas about the vision for aviation, particularly in the New York City region. We need to frame a collaborative, innovative and inclusive approach to ensure the sustainable growth and success of the industry while preparing and developing the aviation workforce of tomorrow," said DeVivo.

ABOUT VAUGHN COLLEGE:
Founded in 1932, Vaughn College is a private, nonprofit four-year college that enrolls more than 1,300 students in master's, bachelor's and associate degree programs in engineering, technology, management and aviation on its main campus in New York City and online. The student-faculty ratio of 14 to 1 ensures a highly personalized learning environment. Ninety-five percent of Vaughn College graduates, seventy-eight percent in their field of study, are placed in professional positions or choose to continue their education within one year of graduation. Vaughn College serves many first-generation Americans and first-generation college students and is recognized by the US Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. In a study conducted by The Equality of Opportunity Project, and reported in The New York Times, Vaughn was ranked number one in upward mobility nationwide. For more information on Vaughn College, please visit http://www.vaughn.edu.

Media Contact

Nicholas Ingenito, Vaughn College, 718-429-6600, nicholas.ingenito@vaughn.edu, vaughn.edu 

Maureen Kiggins, Vaughn College, 718-429-6600, maureen.kiggins@vaughn.edu, vaughn.edu 

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SOURCE Vaughn College