A’maree Waddell, a graduating senior from Western Michigan University’s aviation management and operations program, is set to start her career as an operations coordinator at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, according to an April 28 announcement by the university.
Waddell’s story highlights the impact of WMU’s aviation program on student success and professional development. She credits her education and campus community for preparing her for work in one of the country’s busiest airports. “Western was the right choice for me because I was able to find a sense of community that nurtured all aspects of everything that I embodied as a person,” Waddell said.
She will be responsible for communicating with pilots and managing gates at the airport. “It’s going to be intimidating at first, but I’m so excited. I’ll be in charge of communicating with pilots who are coming in and landing because I’ll be controlling the gates,” she said. “It’s such a fast-paced environment, I just wanted to be a part of it.”
Waddell was accepted into all 11 colleges where she applied but chose Western Michigan University after receiving a Foundation Scholarship. She described her experience: “Financial support is the greatest gift I could have received from anybody.” Throughout her studies, she engaged with student organizations such as the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP), which provided networking opportunities and mentorships from alumni working as pilots at major airlines.
In addition to academics, Waddell participated in leadership roles within Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., serving on executive boards and organizing events on campus. Her involvement helped develop skills she plans to use in her new position: “Each experience prepared me for life after college, where I aspire to bring the same dedication, vision, and resilience into my career and beyond.”
Western Michigan University fields 16 Division I varsity sports as a Mid-American Conference member according to the official website. The university also supports inclusive excellence for all students according to its official website and promotes sustainability through LEED-certified buildings and award-winning landscaping according to its official site. WMU has earned top-100 rankings nationally for several graduate programs according to its website, enrolls more than 17,000 students according to its official website, and emphasizes education that is learner-focused, research-oriented, and globally involved as reported by its official site.
Looking ahead, Waddell reflected on her time at WMU: “College is so important: It’s character development; it matures you; it allows for you to understand how to work with people … More than anything, it eases you into professional life by giving you opportunities to gain experience while also having support and resources around you.”