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Allie Fletcher (’27), a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Business Administration student with an Aerospace Marketing track and a minor in Project Management, is preparing for a career that blends aviation and business, with plans to earn her pilot’s license.

Her interest in aviation began during childhood trips to St. Maarten, where she watched planes fly low overhead and waved to pilots who waved back.

“I told myself I would be a pilot one day,” she said.

Over time, she recognized her strengths in communication and organization, reshaping that dream into a career path that aligns with her skills and ambitions.

Now a student leader at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach Campus, Allie is involved in the Discover Scholars program, the Business Eagles cohort and the Young Alumni Board. She has also secured a highly competitive internship at Lockheed Martin.

Her journey began far from where she is now.

Early Challenges, Pivotal Change

Growing up in Montclair, New Jersey, she struggled academically in an environment with limited support and low expectations.

“I was barely passing,” she said. “There were doubts about whether I would even go to college.”

Everything changed when her family moved to Bayonne, New Jersey. At Mary J. Donahoe School, she found the structure and encouragement she needed to succeed. Surrounded by motivated peers, she began to excel, graduating 30th in a class of more than 500, a turnaround that reflected discipline and determination.

A Transformational College Experience

Allie first visited Embry‑Riddle in eighth grade and immediately felt a connection.

“It wasn’t just the aviation aspect. It was the environment, the driven students and the culture of people pushing each other to succeed,” she said.

As a first-generation college student, she found early support through the Discover Scholars program, gaining mentorship, academic resources and a strong sense of belonging that shaped her transition to university life.

She expanded her involvement through organizations like the National Society of Black Engineers, the Black Students Association and club volleyball.

“I put myself in spaces where I could grow,” she said. “I reached out to upperclassmen and asked questions about internships, resumes and opportunities. I learned from people who had already done it.”

Her participation in the Business Eagles cohort further strengthened her professional development, while her selection to the Young Alumni Board connected her with mentors from industry leaders such as United Airlines, The Boeing Company and Collins Aerospace.

Her experiences, along with mentorship from faculty such as Dr. Jennifer Hinebaugh, associate professor of Management, Marketing and Operations, helped shape her leadership philosophy.

“Allie is an amazing student inside and outside the classroom,” Hinebaugh said. “She consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic, intellectual curiosity and a commitment to excellence.”

For Allie, leadership is rooted in awareness and consistency.

“It’s not just about being confident,” she said. “It’s about being aware, empathetic and consistent. I want to create spaces where people feel seen and supported.”

From Campus to Career

This summer, she will take a major step forward as an integrated communications intern with Lockheed Martin in Colorado.

She will help shape the company’s voice through executive interviews, storyboarding, video scripting and strategic communications. As the sole intern in her program, she has already been described by her hiring manager as a “unicorn.”

“It’s exciting, but it’s also a challenge,” Allie said. “I’ll have to navigate a lot independently, but I’m ready.”

She credits her Embry‑Riddle experience, including her work as a multimedia assistant and her proactive networking at career fairs, for preparing her to succeed.

Allie hopes to return to Lockheed Martin full-time, ideally contributing to the company’s space division. Inspired by the impact of Embry‑Riddle alumni and milestones like the Artemis II mission, she is eager to help shape the future of aerospace.

Learning Balance and Staying Grounded

Along the way, she has learned the importance of balance.

At one point, she was juggling academics, leadership roles, work and extracurricular commitments before realizing she needed to refocus.

“There’s a difference between being busy and being effective,” she said.

She stepped back to prioritize her academics, a decision that reflected maturity and self-awareness.

Grounded by her faith, family and community, Allie continues to embrace growth by stepping outside her comfort zone and learning from failure.

“Don’t be afraid to fail,” she said. “Within those failures, you learn so much. You figure out what doesn’t work, and then you try again.”

As a self-described perfectionist, that lesson did not come easily.

“I had to learn to be OK with failing, to pick myself up and start again,” she said. “Once you get moving, everything takes off from there.”

She also encourages students to practice self-compassion.

“You have to forgive yourself,” she said. “You can’t stay stuck blaming yourself. Growth comes from moving forward.”

And just as importantly, she emphasizes enjoying the journey.

“Have fun,” she said. “Don’t forget to enjoy yourself. It’s a privilege to be here, to go to class, to be involved and to grow.”

A Vision for Impact

As Allie continues to build her path in aviation and business, her goals extend beyond personal success.

She hopes to create opportunities for others, uplift those around her and foster environments where people feel empowered to reach their potential.

“I want to use my voice to help others see what they’re capable of,” she said.

From early academic struggles to an emerging industry leader, her journey reflects resilience, intention and a commitment to continuous growth.