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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Jade Joseph began the process of "giving something back" to her university almost as soon as she arrived on the Western ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ University campus in Kalamazoo. 

Now a recent graduate of the College of Aviation, she's living proof that an effective form of student recruitment is a welcoming, comprehensive presentation on the internet. 

That's how Joseph, a 2020 graduate of Liberty High School in Jersey City, New Jersey, found out about Western's aviation program, using the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown to take the time to do some higher-education research. 

"For as long as I can remember," she says, "I have been interested in airports, traveling, planes and the aviation industry.  None of my family is in aviation.  I fell more in love with the industry when I took a discovery flight on my birthday in 2019." 

Two years earlier while on a tour of Delaware State University with her sister and father, she "accidentally wandered off" on a tour of its program in aviation.  "Both me and my dad were intrigued" with what it had to offer.  And before that, as a subscriber to the Experimental Aircraft Association's Young Eagles magazine, she and Dad "flipped through the pages to admire the different aircraft, especially the fighter jets." 

All of this prompted research into what the aviation programs at Purdue, the University of North Dakota and Embry-Riddle had to offer.  Joseph admits to being a bit "scared to leave New Jersey," but that trepidation was overcome by her goal "to attend a top aviation school that was also affordable." 

One of her search criteria was an institution's black population.  "Western offered several RSOs (registered student organizations) and programs that I knew would help me feel more comfortable," she says.  One of them was the campus chapter of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP). 

Another factor was WMU's geography.  

"The location was ideal," Joseph says, "being two hours from Chicago and two hours from Detroit, offering opportunities for weekend trips."  She also believed that while on campus, she would be "surrounded by multicultural students." 

Joseph enrolled at Western in 2020 without ever stepping foot on the campus, having the sale being made by what she had learned on YouTube and Google.  Because she had been deeply involved in high-school activities, she wanted extra-curricular experiences to be a key part of her college years. 

Thus, one of her first actions on campus was to make an e-mail contact with the OBAP chapter.  No response, even after several tries.  Finally, the chapter's former president answered her telephone call. 

"Due to COVID-19, the chapter had withered and was basically inactive," Joseph says.  "My friend and I decided to revive the chapter.  We committed time and money, got re-registered on campus, got the OBAP name back out there, and began holding meetings." 

Joseph came to Western as an aviation-flight major, changing to the curriculum in aviation management and operations in January of 2022.  During this period, she has served as vice president of the OBAP chapter for two years and its president since June of 2023.  Mirroring her high-school days, she is also a member of the Western chapters of the American Association of Airport Executives and Women in Aviation Inc., as well as the Bronco African Students Association. 

All of this has "connected me with like-minded individuals and expanded my network," she says.  "It also feels great to give back to my community." 

Talk about expanding one's network.  Joseph has also managed to polish her resume with three internships: a talent-acquisition intern (by remote) for Southwest Airlines, a professional-development training and safety intern with Duncan Aviation in Battle Creek, and a safety-and-security intern with Allegiant Airlines in Las Vegas. 

Back on campus, her favorite aviation course was Marcel Robicheaux's presentations about air cargo and logistics management.  "He brought so much energy to each class," she says.  "He made learning truly exciting and always came well-prepared.  The course opened an entirely different realm of the aviation industry to me.  Before, I didn't think twice about air cargo.  Now I can see myself becoming a FedEx pilot in my future." 

Joseph relishes her choice for higher education.  

"My favorite part about WMU is the amount of individuals from various backgrounds who I have been blessed to meet," she says.  "The opportunities have been endless and I have always felt supported by my peers and the college's staff.  Western has an endless amount of resources for its students." 

If Joseph can find any free time these days, she's into roller skating, reading, baking, hiking, skiing, watching movies, learning new languages and "doing my make-up." 

She sees in her professional future a move to Chicago or Washington, along with establishing a connection with OBAP's national board of directors.  She sees herself working in aviation safety for Delta or United airlines; maybe even the Federal Aviation Administration.  And, in any spare time, earning a slate of pilot licenses.  Don't bet against Joseph someday running her own flight school; maybe even an airline. 

No matter what the future holds for Joseph, "giving back" will always be a top priority.  

"I owe the majority of my accomplishments to OBAP," she says.  "Through it, I would like to raise the awareness of Black girls with the aviation industry." 

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.