United Airlines, TSU announce major partnership

Scholarship and mentorship program expands pipeline of aviation professionals

Style Magazine Newswire | 3/14/2022, 12:34 p.m.
Officials from United Airlines visited Texas Southern University on Wednesday, March 9, to announce a partnership with the university's Aviation …
Texas Southern University President Lesia Crumpton-Young (center) stands with TSU aviation students (l. to r.) Jacorey Adams, Lubianka Lanza, Katherine Cabrera, Brionne Nixon and Farhan Ahmed. These students received support from a $50,000 per year scholarship that United Airlines has provided to the University, along with mentorship activities with United professionals.

Officials from United Airlines visited Texas Southern University on Wednesday, March 9, to announce a partnership with the university's Aviation Science and Technology program, including the Professional Pilot concentration. The partnership includes a $50,000 a year scholarship program and ongoing mentorship activities between United employees and students in the program.

United Houston Hub Vice President Phil Griffith presented the university with a $100,000 check for the first two years of the scholarship program. Representatives from United, TSU, and the Aviation Science and Technology advisory committee then toured the program's flight simulation labs in the Spearman Technology Building. The event concluded with a mentorship meeting between United professionals and TSU students.

Phil Griffith, United Airlines Houston Hub Vice President (2nd from right) presented Texas Southern University with a $100,000 scholarship, combined with mentorship opportunities, for students in TSU’s aviation science program. Also pictured are (l. to r.) Terence Fontaine, director of aviation at TSU; Pamela Medina, TSU Regent; Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young, TSU President; and Mary Sias, TSU Regent.

Phil Griffith, United Airlines Houston Hub Vice President (2nd from right) presented Texas Southern University with a $100,000 scholarship, combined with mentorship opportunities, for students in TSU’s aviation science program. Also pictured are (l. to r.) Terence Fontaine, director of aviation at TSU; Pamela Medina, TSU Regent; Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young, TSU President; and Mary Sias, TSU Regent.

"This partnership is a game changer for our Aviation Science and Technology program,” said Director of Aviation Terence Fontaine. “United’s investment of financial resources and time through the mentorship component will enable more TSU students to walk out of here ready to contribute immediately to an industry in which people of color have been underrepresented.”

United's Griffith, who is an HBCU graduate, feels that the new program, especially the mentorship component, will be a game changer for the aviation industry.

"(Aviation) is an exciting place, and it has room for folks from all kinds of backgrounds to get in and play a material role in making it better,” said Griffith. “It is helpful (for TSU students) to see living, breathing examples of aviation professionals, and to channel young people who have even the smallest interest in exploring aviation as a career path. What we're doing here at TSU is another step in that direction."

Jacorey Adams, a student in the program, said that he was thrilled that United is partnering with TSU. "They care for us and want to see us succeed. The mentorship provides us with leadership, encouragement and guidance."

lf as a proactive leader in educating underserved students and many who are the first in their family to attend college.

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