The Embry-Riddle legacy: shaping aviation professionals through the decades

100 years ago, on December 17, 1925, American aviation enthusiast T. Higbee Embry and Pilot John Paul Riddle formed the Embry-Riddle Company at Lunken Airport (LUK) in Cincinnati, Ohio. 1926 saw the opening of the Embry-Riddle Flying School.

Almost a century later, Embry-Riddle remains a global leader in aeronautical education, with more than 160,000 alumni around the globe and two residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona. Nearly 20,000 students are currently enrolled with the Worldwide Campus, which provides online programs and in-person offerings at over 110 locations worldwide, including those in Asia and Europe.

Embry-Riddle’s global expansion and longevity would not be possible without its people, including professors who often play the role of mentors, in addition to their roles as instructors.

Dr. Aaron Glassman, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS), is a department chair and associate professor and has been with Embry-Riddle for over 16 years. 

On top of being a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Safety Team representative and a Gold Seal Flight Instructor, Glassman also previously served as the program chair of the Master of Science in Management (MSM). He is currently an Associate Professor of Management focused on aviation applications in the College of Business at Embry-Riddle’s Worldwide Campus. 

AeroTime had an exclusive opportunity to speak with Glassman, where he discussed Embry-Riddle’s integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in its academic programs, how Embry-Riddle’s training programs evolve to meet the demands of today’s aviation sector, what inspires his work as he approaches two decades of service and more. 

Dr. Aaron Glassman, FRAeS, department chair and associate professor at Embry-Riddle University Worldwide

Embry-Riddle’s commitment to military and veterans

Embry-Riddle is also known for its commitment to military and veterans. 

Embry-Riddle’s Worldwide Campus has been highly ranked as a leading institution for veterans by the U.S. News & World Report for more than a decade. Glassman, whose first job at Embry-Riddle was teaching at the Norfolk Navy Base in Virginia, declared that the university’s support of the military is a “point of pride”.

“We’re a military-friendly institution both in practice and by label, and it’s fun to take the background skills and experience of a service member and then springboard them into potentially a different career or a different career trajectory,” Glassman said. 

He added that Embry-Riddle has an “extremely large” population of transitioning service members, active-duty military, veterans and affiliated students.

“The discipline, honor and all the things that go with service to our country aren’t lost on Embry-Riddle,” Glassman said. 

Embry-Riddle in the age of AI

Over its 100-year history, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has seen its fair share of technological developments, from transitioning to the digital age to online courses. The latest transformation, AI, has already made its way into Embry-Riddle’s academic programs.

Glassman noted that, while AI is new and trending, the roles of technology and cybersecurity have been around aviation for years. 

“The first autopilot and the first auto landing were all technologies, but now we’re in a place where airports, for example, can do movement tracking on concourses, and airlines are doing the same thing. We’re seeing that on the ancillary revenue side, where we can predict who’s going to purchase what and at what price, so we can bring the most value to the customer humanly possible,” he said.

Glassman added that these are possible with advanced machine learning and AI, “but without these things— well, we wouldn’t be doing our jobs as a technology-forward university to not include these in our curriculum”.

Glassman described AI as a tool that has a myriad of capabilities, just like any technology. At Embry-Riddle, he said, the academic programs educate on the difference between positive and negative uses of AI. 

”We want to make sure that all of the tooling that we equip our students with and embed in our curriculum — and as an extra layer, deliver through our curriculum — are the right things.”

He also shared that the university has internal committees, external constituents, stakeholders and industry advisory boards that monitor the curriculum and use of AI. 

“[The committees] look at what we do and validate that it is the correct thing, that it is moving in the right direction and that we’re remaining on the leading edge of what needs to be taught,” he said. 

Glassman said that this monitoring ensures that, when Embry-Riddle’s graduates leave the programs and walk into the halls of the industry, they are prepared to bring their respective employers forward. 

Integrating aviation safety in a digital environment

Due to the fact that safety is the cornerstone of aviation, Glassman said that almost all of Embry-Riddle’s curriculum, including business and economics courses, includes topics of safety and risk management.

“It’s a cornerstone principle. Airlines and airports want to be efficient, reliable and safe. Safety is something that we talk about and teach everywhere, and considering how things funnel up in complex systems, impacts on safety can’t be understated.” 

To instill a mindset of safety, resilience and responsibility among students from day one, Glassman reckons that the approach should begin with systems thinking and complexity, regarding everything as an integrated network. 

“It’s fascinating to hear how students dialog about things they might not ordinarily have thought about, but bringing that to the forefront allows that conversation to lead — and our industry needs the safety conversation to lead at all times. So it’s a win / win from our point of view.”

Making space for current issues and evolving student learning styles

When asked how Embry-Riddle has adapted its training programs to meet the demands of today’s rapidly evolving aviation sector, Glassman highlighted the university’s dynamic approach to curriculum design.

“We make space for our faculty to deliver just-in-time updates and current events in every course,” Glassman explained. “We know we can’t build a course and expect it to have a multi-year shelf life, because things age quickly. Our goal is to make sure students are learning the latest and greatest.”

According to Glassman, one of the ways that Embry-Riddle achieves this is by giving its faculty the freedom and flexibility to bring in the latest and most current events from their respective backgrounds and experience.“I’ve had faculty members attend board meetings at major airlines on a Wednesday and then share what they learned with their students on Thursday.”

This near-real-time integration, he claimed, ensures that students gain exposure to the most relevant developments shaping the industry. “It allows our students to see the best of the best and keeps our curriculum fresh,” he said.

When it comes to the evolution of student learning styles and changes over recent years, Glassman noted that today’s learners approach education very differently from past generations.

“Our students have information at their fingertips,” Glassman explained. “They can access almost anything faster than ever before.”

Due to this rapid access to information, Glassman noted that students are no longer seeking rote memorization or static content. “Our students want synthesis. They want application. And they want real-time relevance.”

According to Glassman, that means ensuring that students are prepared not just academically, but also practically. “When our graduates walk into their first day on the job, whether it’s a new role or a promotion, they want to feel confident that they can perform from day one,” he said. “The curriculum is designed to provide that comfort and familiarity, so the skills and knowledge they gain translate directly into what employers are looking for.”

Innovation in hands-on learning at Embry-Riddle

Embry-Riddle’s hands-on approach to learning has also undergone innovations through the years. An example of this, Glassman said, is the university’s creative use of emerging tools and technologies across classrooms, laboratories and hangars.

“We use a wide range of tools, whether it’s a virtual crash lab, a business simulation system or even leveraging platforms like ChatGPT to stage group competitions in the classroom,” Glassman explained. “These kinds of approaches allow students to compete, to gamify learning and to engage in ways that mirror the dynamics of corporate America, where competition drives performance.”

He noted that students thrive on that sense of competition. “Even a small point lead can keep them up at night, fueled by energy drinks, determined to do the best possible job. That’s part of the culture we’re tapping into.”

But while gamification plays a role, Glassman emphasizes that technology is most powerful as a tool for efficiency and authenticity. “ChatGPT and other technologies are incredible time-savers. To some extent, the student who masters the tools of the trade will get ahead.”

This, he suggests, is why Embry-Riddle integrates these technologies directly into its curriculum, so that students not only use them, but also understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind them.

Amid all these developments, though, Glassman still cautions against overreliance on technology. 

“Sure, I could use ChatGPT to write a paper on a subject I know nothing about, and it might look elegant on the surface. But ask me two questions about it and it’ll be obvious I don’t actually understand the material. That’s not the kind of learning we want,” he said.

According to Glassman, Embry-Riddle focuses instead on ensuring that students’ critical thinking remains at the forefront. “The goal is for our students’ minds to always lead, with technology following as a support. Tools should enhance efficiency, but the real driver of success is still the students’ own understanding and ability to integrate concepts.”

A student’s journey at Embry-Riddle

Glassman describes a student’s journey at Embry-Riddle as a fully personalized and lifelong experience, rather than a linear path from enrollment to graduation.

“It’s an individualized journey,” Glassman explained. “We walk alongside our students every step of the way — from the very first point of contact when they’re exploring programs, through graduation, into job placement with the support of our outstanding career services team and even beyond, with aftercare for our alumni. It’s a complete lifecycle, and every touchpoint is designed to send the message: we care. Because we truly do.”

The journey, Glassman said, is also tailored to meet the unique needs of diverse student populations. 

“Everyone should have the experience they need, and it’s our job to deliver it in a way that aligns with their lives.”

In short, Embry-Riddle’s mission is not only to equip students with technical expertise but also to cultivate well-rounded leaders who are prepared for success across industries.

How Embry-Riddle meets global demands for aviation talent

From pilots and engineers to technicians and air traffic controllers, the worldwide demand for aviation professionals continues to rise, and Embry-Riddle is positioning itself to meet the industry’s needs head-on.

“Aviation and aerospace have always been on the leading edge. And yes, the industry is cyclical with hot and cold periods, but Embry-Riddle has responded through growth,” Glassman said.

That growth has been both broad and intentional. “We’ve expanded our faculty, increased our capacity and strengthened our curriculum,” Glassman explained. “At the same time, we’ve doubled down on our identity as an aviation and aerospace institution.”

Glassman stressed that the university’s goal is not only to meet workforce needs but also to shape professionals capable of thriving in organizations of all sizes. 

“We want to produce the next employee for some of the largest firms in the world, but also for mid-sized and smaller companies along the way,” he said. “Our responsibility is to prepare graduates who are ready to contribute anywhere in the world, wherever their careers take them.”

It is a responsibility that Embry-Riddle takes seriously. “That’s an important burden for us to shoulder,” Glassman noted. “But it’s one we deliver on every single day, and we’re proud of it.”

Embry-Riddle’s global industry collaborations

Through the years, Embry-Riddle’s global reach has opened doors to collaborations with airlines, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul providers (MROs), Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and aviation authorities around the world. 

For Glassman, these connections are not just strategic partnerships. Rather, they are the heart of how Embry-Riddle stays aligned with industry needs.

“We have partnerships with almost every domestic airline,” Glassman told AeroTime. 

“One of the things I’m most proud of is how interconnected this community is.” 

“When I attend conferences like MRO Americas in Atlanta or visit the core 30 airports, I can’t walk through without being stopped for a conversation about aviation or aerospace. Even though aviation is global, it’s still a small, tightly knit community. We run into each other at airports, aboard aircraft and at industry events all the time.”

That sense of connection, Glassman pointed out, also strengthens Embry-Riddle’s role within the industry. 

“It’s remarkable to see how woven the university is into the aviation ecosystem,” he said. “Our partnerships aren’t just paperwork. They are lived experiences, and they show how closely we are aligned with the needs of aviation today.”

Embry-Riddle: Shaping the next generation of aviation executives and innovators

Embry-Riddle is renowned for producing some of the most skilled aviation and aerospace professionals in the world, but as Glassman pointed out, technical expertise is only half of the equation. Just as important, he said, is leadership. 

“It’s critical. We couldn’t do what we do without it [leadership],” Glassman said. “That’s why we’ve designed our curriculum so that leadership competencies are woven into almost everything we teach.”

Glassman shared that Embry-Riddle’s faculty have seen many organizations falter when leadership is overlooked. 

“Entire airlines and mergers have failed because those skills weren’t embraced at every level: upper management, mid-level and frontline teams. True success only happens when the whole organization buys in.”

To illustrate his point, Glassman used the example of a flight deck. “You can be an incredible pilot with flawless technical skills. But if you can’t lead a crew, manage resources and bring a team together to complete a mission, you’ve missed the mark. Aviation requires teamwork, and so does every business. Technical ability alone is not enough. Leadership is what makes everything work.”

This philosophy shapes Embry-Riddle’s specialized leadership certificates and its MBA programs in aviation. Glassman believes that the aim is to give students more than just technical know-how. It’s also to train them to navigate corporate environments, sharpen communication and teamwork, and prepare themselves for career advancement.

“A lot of our students, especially those in their 30s, are already employed,” Glassman said. “They’re not just looking to get better at their current jobs. They want to ‘level up’ and move into leadership roles. That’s where we come in. Our holistic approach combines technical expertise with the leadership mindset needed to take that next step.”

For Glassman, leadership education is inseparable from technical training. “Leadership is the force multiplier.It’s the thing that turns individual excellence into organizational success.”

Looking forward: Glassman on the future of Embry-Riddle and aviation education

Given his close to two decades of expertise and experience at Embry-Riddle, is there anything that excites Glassman about the future of the university and aviation education?

“That’s a powerful question,” he said. “I love playing the futurist. I wish I had a crystal ball that worked a little better. But one of the things I’m immensely grateful for is timing. We are living in one of the most extraordinary milestone eras in aviation.”

Glassman explained that the aviation industry has already achieved a strong foundation. 

“We have a good product. We have airplanes that fly, and they fly safely. We have a system that is reasonably reliable, and for the most part, things work. But what excites me now are the new technologies that are reshaping the field. We are talking about urban air mobility, uncrewed systems and the modernization of our national airspace system to incorporate all of these new types of traffic. These are transformative conversations.”

He placed today’s developments within the broader context of the history of aviation. “The industry has always moved forward in milestone moments,” Glassman said. “We had the first flight, then the rise of airlines, the Jet Age, supersonic travel and the Space Age. Now we are in what I would call the ‘Technological Age’ of aviation.”

“Taking into account Embry-Riddle’s beginning–created by two fearless and ambitious entrepreneurs–looking toward the uncharted future represents both an opportunity and a privilege for Glassman.

 “I truly feel blessed to be on the leading edge of this new technological age of aviation, to witness and participate in it,” he said. “It is a remarkable place to be.”The post The Embry-Riddle legacy: shaping aviation professionals through the decades appeared first on AeroTime.

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