As I close out my first year as president of Embry-Riddle, I feel fortunate to work for the world’s oldest, largest and most comprehensive aviation and aerospace education institution. Embry-Riddle is a special place, driven by people of great talent and passion.
We’ve now begun the important work of leveraging that collective talent and passion to take Embry-Riddle to even greater heights. In particular, we’ve reached out to the entire university community for input on strategic planning. Good progress has been made toward identifying key goals, success metrics and next steps for increasing enrollment; enhancing the student experience; expanding our global influence; growing our research capabilities; and securing resources to fuel our success.
There is still much to do in achieving our goals, but we are building upon a solid foundation. We remain financially strong; enrollment is up; and with more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees and a growing number of professional programs, our students around the globe have more choices than ever before. And whatever course of study they choose, they will work with exceptional faculty in technology-rich environments that anticipate the ever-changing research and workforce needs of the industry.
Embry-Riddle’s influence is growing all over the globe, especially in those areas where the aviation industry is strongest. In December, I had the privilege of attending the largest graduation ceremony to date at our Asia Campus in Singapore. Our presence in Central and South America is also growing. In 2017, our Brazil-based team served more than 650 students through professional education, applied research and local academic and professional opportunities. In November, I addressed graduates of a new Aviation Management Program being offered to managers with Brazil’s major airlines.
As Embry-Riddle’s progress continues, students will always remain our core mission. At my first State of the University address, I urged all members of the university community to strive to be a pivotal mentor in a student’s life – someone our students will remember fondly 10 years from now. Working continuously to have a positive, life-changing impact on our students is at the heart of everything we do.
To all who have welcomed my wife Dr. Audrey Butler and me to Embry-Riddle: thank you. I look forward to working with you to make a difference in the lives of our Embry-Riddle family.
Regards,
P. Barry Butler, Ph.D.
President, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University