More than 450 graduates from across the U.S. and around the globe came together to celebrate receiving their diplomas at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University’s Worldwide Campus commencement.

The graduates included Shareef Al Romaithi, an Etihad Airways captain from the United Arab Emirates who earned a Master of Space Operations, his fifth Embry‑Riddle degree. Al Romaithi also holds a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, two other master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in Aviation.

“The university is always trying to expand their programs,” Al Romaithi said. “From engineering to other subjects like the latest one that I just completed in space operations, they just make you want to come back for more.”

Al Romaithi was among a total of 465 graduates — including 208 master’s degree earners and 257 undergraduates — awarded their degrees at the May 31 ceremony held at the ICI Center on Embry‑Riddle’s Daytona Beach, Florida, campus.

Embry‑Riddle President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D., opened the ceremony, telling graduates that “wherever life takes you from here, you can move forward knowing that you can accomplish things you never imagined possible.”

‘A Culture of Belief’

The event’s keynote address was delivered by Brent Wouters, CEO of Jet Linx, a private jet management and jet card company. Wouters told graduates about his philosophy of “a culture of belief,” which he said has driven rapid transformation and growth at various companies throughout his career.

“Belief brings out the passion, the perseverance and the versatility in every person,” he said.

Wouters, who specializes in revitalizing underperforming private equity portfolio companies, has served as president and CEO of aircraft manufacturer Cirrus Aircraft and adventure outdoor equipment company Iron Valley Supply, as well as chief operating officer of hybrid electric luxury car company Karma Automotive.

Using examples from his career, Wouters encouraged graduates to ignite “a culture of belief” in themselves to reach their professional and personal goals and to do the same for others.

“The achievement is the people,” he told graduates. “It is the personal network. It is the family and friends, fellow graduates, colleagues and professional connections. These relationships are the extraordinary outcome you are pursuing.”

‘This Is What an Engineer Looks Like’

A packed crowd of family and friends celebrated as their graduates walked across the commencement stage. As the newly minted graduates filed out of the ICI Center, they shared hugs and took photos with their diplomas.

Army veteran Maria Siordia, who earned her bachelor’s degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, said she plans to apply her education to her role with the Navy in San Diego, California, “to keep defending our country.”  Siordia, 48, is now pursuing her master’s in Emergency Services.

Gladyann Nazario, who earned her bachelor’s degree in Engineering, wore a graduation cap displaying the phrase: “This is what an engineer looks like.”

“There are not a lot of female, Hispanic engineers,” Nazario said. “So I wanted to represent them.”

Nazario, 39, grew up in Puerto Rico and was introduced to Embry‑Riddle in high school. She wanted to become an Eagle then but could not afford the tuition. When her husband, who is in the Air Force, was posted to a base in Italy in 2018, she finally found her opportunity to attend Embry‑Riddle, thanks to an advisor who encouraged her to apply.

While pursuing her degree, Nazario was only able to take one class at a time.  But she finally earned her long-awaited Embry‑Riddle degree.

“My family came from Puerto Rico to be here with me, and I am just super excited,” Nazario said. “To be able to complete it and graduate magna cum laude, it has been a dream come true.”

Al Romaithi, the Etihad Airways captain who earned his Master of Space Operations, has already launched an Abu Dhabi-based space startup called Madari Space, which is building data centers in low-Earth orbit.

Last year, he was part of a third volunteer research team that participated in NASA's Human Exploration Research Analog — or HERA — a 650-square-foot habitat that houses four participants for as long as 45 days in isolation under conditions designed to simulate a mission to Mars. 

While in HERA at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Al Romaithi and the team conducted operational tasks and participated in 18 human health studies that assessed their physiological, behavioral and psychological responses.

“When I came to Embry‑Riddle in 2001,” he said, “my goal was to be an astronaut.”

Though he still harbors dreams of exploring space, Al Romaithi said his latest degree equips him with the knowledge to lead in the booming space industry.

Al Romaithi has no plans for a sixth Embry‑Riddle degree, but he does hope to return to the campus with his young daughters.