²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ

Mr. Shawn Arena, A.A.E., brings 36 years of instructional experience with a focus on airport planning, design, operations and management, aviation legislation and aerospace science and history.

He holds a B.A. in psychology from the University of Southern California and two graduate degrees from ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ in aviation management and aeronautical science. From 1987 to 2014, Mr. Arena worked in administrative, management and operational roles at eight U.S. public-use airports that included four commercial service airports and four general aviation airports. He is an Accredited Airport Executive certified by the American Association of Airport Executives and contributed to the industry through his service on the AAAE Board of Examiners, supporting accreditation and professional development. He also served on the boards of the Arizona Airports Association and the Southwest Chapter of AAAE. From 2013 to 2014, he was an airport consultant with a focus on airport emergency preparedness and certification.

In May 2024, Mr. Arena retired from his position as Aerospace Program Magnet Manager & Lead Flight Instructor for The Academies at South Mountain High School in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona. The school is one of the few in the nation offering a comprehensive aviation and aerospace curriculum that includes courses in aviation human factors, aircraft accident investigation, UAV operations, aircraft maintenance, aviation history, air traffic control and FAA private pilot ground school and flight training.

Thirty-six (36) years of Instructor experience as an Adjunct Assistant Professor, for ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ - Worldwide Campus. Currently assigned to the Department of Applied Aerospace Science and College of Aeronautics, Mr. Arena has also served as a full-time Assistant Professor with the College of Business, one term as a Worldwide Campus Faculty Senator, and Director of Academics for the Luke AFB Campus. His instructional specialties include Airport Planning, Design; Operations Management,  Aviation Legislation, and Aerospace Science. 

Professional administrative, management, and operational positions at eight (8) public-use airports in the United States from 1987-2014. These airports included four commercial service airports and four general aviation airports. He is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) as designated by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), and served on the AAAE Board of Examiners, responsible for professional development and Accreditation. Additionally, he held Board positions with the Arizona Airports Association (AzAA) and Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (SWAAAE). Additional professional roles included a Principal of an airport consultancy company  specializing in Airport Emergency Preparedness, and Certification from 2013-2014.

In 2024, he retired from the Academies @ South Mountain High School in the metropolitan Phoenix, Az area as the Aerospace Program Magnet Manager & Lead Flight Instructor.