We asked the students of today about their goals, their dreams, their reasons why. If you look at what creates Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, look to our students. With them in action, our future is in good hands.
EMMA COSTA (’26)
B.S. Aerospace Physiology
“My goal is to turn curiosity into sustainability on Earth and beyond.”
Emma Costa began without a background in plant science.
But she had determination.
“I told my mentor, ‘I’ll clean equipment — anything to learn,’ ” she recalls. That humility led to an internship with Acreage Farms, designing vertical hydroponic systems for both Mars-like scarcity and drought-struck regions on Earth. Mentors urged Costa to treat every misstep as data. “Document everything, move forward with more knowledge,” she says. Balancing research, resident advising and classes, she found her niche where human physiology meets sustainable agriculture. Her goal is clear: Curiosity applied, progress shared.
LUCAS CRISTALDI (’26)
B.S. Aeronautics
“My goal is to bridge aviation and space exploration — and keep both human-centered.”
Born in Brazil, Lucas Cristaldi grew up near an airport, mesmerized by takeoffs. Now an active-duty U.S. Air Force member and NASA Solar System Ambassador, he shares his love for space through outreach that connects science with humanity. “I love showing people that space is about people,” Cristaldi says. He travels between schools and community centers to spark curiosity — and once returned home to honor student rocket champions with NASA coins. Whether his next chapter unfolds in the Space Force or the skies, Cristaldi’s mission stays clear: “All it takes is one conversation to inspire a dream.”
BARRETT CUTSHALL (’26)
B.S. Aerospace Physiology
“My goal is to merge human-performance science with aerospace operations — so every mission counts and every person matters.”
Barrett Cutshall thrives where physiology meets leadership. A track athlete and U.S. Army ROTC cadet, she says, “ROTC provides structure, discipline and mentorship, and pushes me to grow as a leader.” At the 2025 Sandhurst Military Skills Competition, Cutshall aided a collapsed cadet mid-march, applying her combat-medic training under pressure. That calm resolve fuels her plan to commission in the National Guard, earn a master’s in Human Factors and study how people perform in extreme environments. “You have to be steady when it matters most.”
RYAN FERGUSON (’26)
B.S. Computer Science
“My goal is to turn my passion for gaming into platforms that build community.”
Ryan Ferguson codes by day and leads by night — as president of one of the country’s most dynamic collegiate esports organizations. “We’re competitive,” he says, “but we’re also inclusive. Everyone deserves a team.” Under his leadership, the club has expanded to 26 squads, created a code of conduct and grown its budget past $17,000. Originally drawn to naval architecture, he pivoted to computer science and found his lane in digital teamwork. “Esports isn’t just about winning,” he adds. “It’s about strategy, communication and creating a space where everyone belongs.”
RILEY GRANT (’26)
B.S. Global Security and Intelligence Studies
“My goal is to blend geographic insight with intelligence to guard lives and liberties.”
Riley Grant turns a challenge into direction. Blind in one eye since childhood, he sees potential instead of limits. “You adapt,” he says. “You find new ways to see.” His studies in geospatial intelligence led to an internship where his analysis helped dismantle a trafficking network. Tools like ArcGIS Pro and Analyst’s Notebook became instruments of justice. “It’s not just data — it’s people’s lives,” he says. Grant’s next mission: serve as an analyst with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, protecting lives through precision and perspective.
“Vision,” he adds, “isn’t just eyesight — it’s insight.”
AASHMAN GUPTA (’28)
B.S. Aerospace Engineering
“My goal is to design and develop rovers that pave the way for human life on other worlds.”
Growing up in Delhi, Aashman Gupta learned physics by flying kites with his father. That wonder evolved into a passion for robotics and space systems. His early paper on asteroid mining earned acceptance at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research — proof that ideas can lift off. “I want to build what helps humanity explore,” he says. Gupta now leads a student space-robotics club prototyping rovers for extraterrestrial terrain. “Every design asks how we’ll survive off Earth,” he adds. “And every answer begins with imagination and persistence.”
CAMILLE HAWKINS (’29)
B.S. Aeronautical Science
“My goal is to fly for a major airline — and make that dream real.”
For Camille Hawkins, a scholarship from The Boeing Company is more than financial aid — it’s a runway. “I’ve been looking up since I was little,” she says, recalling air shows in Tucson, Arizona. In one systems test, she scored 105 out of 100. Boeing mentors opened doors to future flight decks, but determination keeps her grounded. Her next stop: a major carrier like Delta, United or Emirates. “Every takeoff reminds me how far I’ve come — and how much sky is still ahead.”
ALYSSA RULEY (’26)
B.S. Electrical Engineering
“My goal is to build solutions that make life better.”
For Alyssa Ruley, engineering is empathy made tangible. She designs adaptive devices for people with limited mobility and experiments with sustainable materials that reshape how vehicles are made. “I’ve always wanted to see science in action,” she says. “It’s not enough to design something that works — it should make someone’s day easier.” As Miss United States Collegiate, she gains one more platform to share her message: Progress should include everyone it uplifts.
TIFFANY TERRY (’26)
B.S. Aeronautics
“My goal is to transform crash-site insights into laws that make aviation safer.”
Tiffany Terry reads wreckage like a story. “I like to understand why things go wrong — so we can prevent them next time,” she says. In the crash lab, she uses laser scanners to reconstruct accidents and studies the human factors behind decisions under pressure. A minor in Aviation Safety and plans for law school steer her toward regulatory reform. “It’s not about blame — it’s about accountability,” she notes. Her aim is simple: Help build a safer, more transparent future for all who fly.
IAN WILLIAMS (’26)
B.S. Aerospace Engineering
“My goal is to engineer the future of spaceflight.”
Ian Williams learns by doing. From building propellant-feed systems in a student rocket lab to interning at SpaceX, he immerses himself in the mechanics of reusable spacecraft. On the Dragon Fluids Operations team, he earns ground-controller certification, then joins the Starship Thermal Hardware program developing reusable heat-shield tiles. “There’s no replacement for hands-on work,” he says. His fascination with Falcon Heavy landings became a career pursuit in materials engineering. What drives him most isn’t spectacle but purpose: “Spaceflight is the frontier where every small improvement can mean human survival.”