Diversity Spotlights

Maaliyah Bowden is majoring in Air Traffic Management and plans on graduating in 2023. She is a native Floridian from Apopka, FL close to Orlando.  She is active on campus participating in many student organizations including Women in Aviation (WAI), Air Traffic Control Organization (ATCO), Iota Alpha Tau (IAT) ATC Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and the Embry-Riddle Dancing Eagles. Bowden is an Undergraduate Research Assistant with Project A36.  After graduation, her goal is to be an air traffic controller for the Federal Aviation Administration.

Bowden is an outstanding student and has earned he place on the Dean’s List multiple times. She has qualified for many scholarships both internal and external including the Conrad N. Hilton Air Traffic Controller Scholarship, the ERAU Presidential Scholarship, and the US Air Force Order of Daedalians scholarship. She was recently accepted into the FAA’s Minority Serving Institute (MSI) internship program. This will give her the opportunity to gain valuable industry experience and help prepare her for a successful career in ATC.

When Bowden was only 13 years old, she discovered an ATC simulation video game and has wanted to pursue a career in ATC since then. In her free time, she like to listen to music, create and practice dance choreography, and write poetry/spoken word. A fun fact about her is she has been a vegan for 6+ years and balances that with multiple food allergies.

Dr. Jorge Diaz-Albelo is an Associate Professor of Aeronautical Science in the College of Aviation. Dr. Diaz-Abelo grew up in Carolina, Puerto Rico. He earned his ATP, CFI/CFII/MEI, and is type rated in the Embraer 135/140/145.  He has experience flying in both part 91 and part 121 environments. As the faculty advisor for the Latino Pilots Association (LPA), his passion for helping underrepresented minorities find success in a white male-dominated industry comes to light. Dr. Diaz-Albelo works to promote diversity in the College of Aviation through his research on topics involving diversity, equity, & inclusion. Some of the focuses of his research include promoting diversity & inclusion with an emphasis on underrepresented minorities, specifically the Latinx community, the LGBTQ+ community, and women of color. Dr. Diaz-Albelo is proud to publish and present his findings to industry leaders for them to adjust policies and improve the college climate. In the classroom, he creates an engaging environment where he fosters a culture of respect for all and allows his students to share their points of view. In his free time, he enjoys bowling and working on new diversity initiatives.

Lyer is a freshman majoring in Aeronautical Science from Ahmedabad, India.  She is currently working on her Private Pilot License.  During her first semester at ERAU, she was named to the Dean’s List. Shrina is a Public Relations Associate with the student newspaper The Avion. Lyer is involved with many philanthropic events through Alpha Omicron Alpha, the honor society on campus for AS majors, and also works with the ERAU Volunteer Network and the Blind People’s Association. Lyer was also honored to be given the opportunity to write for the Times of India. Her goal is to fly internationally for a Middle Eastern airline. Some of her dream airlines include Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar. In her free time, Shrina enjoys reading mystery novels, writing poetry, and singing.

Dr. Nancy Lawrence is an Associate Professor, Outstanding in the College of Aviation. She grew up in Fort Polk, Louisiana; her father was in the Army.  Dr. Lawrence teaches safety classes, and has extensive industry experience. She worked for Northrop as an Industrial Hygiene Specialist (now known as Northrop/Grumman) and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) as an Industrial Hygiene, Environmental and Safety Specialist.

On campus, Dr. Lawrence is very involved with different activities and student organizations. She is the faculty advisor for the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) and the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP). In addition to those two organizations, she works with different minority groups on campus including African Students’ Association (ASA), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Caribbean Students’ Association (CSA), and Society of Black Physicists (SBP).  She has been honored as an Outstanding Advisor.

Dr. Lawrence is also an avid Embry-Riddle sports fan attending all different types of sporting events and campus activities. She has been the Faculty Marshall for graduation for 9 years. In the community, Dr. Lawrence volunteers at the Rose Marie Bryan Center tutoring the children of low income families. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and traveling to Indiana to be with her Delta line sisters. Dr. Lawrence is known for being very passionate about her students, their success, and their wellbeing.

Jamie Padarath is from from Valsayn, Trinidad and Tobago and is a senior majoring in Aeronautical Science with a minor in Air Transportation. 

She is a commercial pilot and recently completed her CFI. Showing her dedication to her studies as an Honors Program and Dean’s List student, Padarath is also involved in the school community.  She is the president of the Caribbean Students Association and is an active member of the Black Students Association and International Student Programming Council. 

Padarath is currently employed by the Student Government Association and gives back to the community through volunteering. 

Padarath would like to experience all areas of flying during her career, but her main goal is to become a helicopter pilot. She would like to express her gratitude to her dedicated professors and academic advisor for their help on her journey. 

In her free time, Padarath enjoys meeting new people, working on anything with wheels, and outdoor adventures.