SPRING 2026 Vol 166 | Orientation Issue
Editor-in-Chief
Emilee Imler
Managing Editor
Dominic Popolo
Business Manager
Kaden McVerry
Design Editor
Grace Hamilton
News Editor
Samantha Garcia
Photo Editor
Brandon Badraoui
avioneditor@erau.edu
avionmanaging@erau.edu
avionbusiness@erau.edu
avioneditor@erau.edu
avionnews@erau.edu
avionphoto@erau.edu
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Front Cover
Back Cover
Emilee Imler @emileeimlerphoto
Emilee Imler @emileeimlerphoto
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Advisor Indira Diaz Associate Director of Student Government
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SGA Executive Board President
Ander Turueno Garcia
Vice President
Giovanni Zayas
Treasurer
Marcus Lopez
Chief Justice
Ally Ramey
EIC, The Avion
Emilee Imler
GM, WIKD 102.5
Nathaniel Wrobel
Chairperson, TNG
Sabrina Osick
sgapres@erau.edu sgavpres@erau.edu sgatres@erau.edu sgachfj@erau.edu avioneditor@erau.edu dbgmwikd@erau.edu dbtngchr@erau.edu
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Letter From The Editor
Welcome to Embry-Riddle. Whether this is your first week on campus or your first time picking up The Avion, this issue is here to help you settle in and feel at home. Starting college can be overwhelming, especially on a campus as unique as Embry-Riddle. Between classes, clubs, events, and everything else happening around you, it can be hard to know where to begin. This Spring Orientation Issue is designed to introduce you to the places, resources, and communities that shape daily life at ERAU. Inside, you will find highlights of on-campus resources, ways to get involved, and stories that reflect the student experience both inside and outside the classroom. As a senior, I have learned that not everything goes according to plan. Schedules change, goals shift, and there are moments when life feels uncertain. Over time, though, you find your people, your routine, and your direction, even if it looks different than you expected. This year also marks 100 years of Embry-Riddle. It is a milestone shaped by students who took chances, followed their interests, and created opportunities for those who came after them. Now, you are part of that legacy. Wherever your path takes you, I hope The Avion is a place where you see yourself, your peers, and your campus reflected. Welcome to your next chapter. - Emilee Imler Editor-in-Chief, The Avion
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HOW TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE AT RIDDLE We’ve all been there before: that daunted freshman walking the halls of Embry-Riddle, intimidated by all the courses, labs, and flights that our next four, or even more, years have in store. It can be a scary place, but with a few tips and tricks, your time at Riddle will be a breeze!
ASK FOR HELP EARLY
Some courses can become overwhelming quickly, and it can often seem like you can’t do anything to get caught up. You want to seek help before it’s too late, whether it’s a professor’s office hours, tutoring labs, or even a study group of new class friends; these strategies can help you find the help you need early to excel at your coursework.
JOIN EXTRACURRICULARS
With so many extracurricular organizations to offer, Embry-Riddle has something for everyone! Whether you want to build a rocket, perform on stage, get involved with Greek life, or even write an article to be featured in a future issue of this magazine, you can do it all! These activities are where you will meet your closest friends and make memories that will last well after you walk across that stage at graduation.
EXPLORE DAYTONA BEACH
Daytona is the “world’s most famous beach” for a reason: because there’s so much to do and see in Daytona and the rest of the Central Florida region. So, spend a Saturday driving around with the windows down, take a trip to the sunny beach, visit the Speedway, and even make a pit stop at Buc-ee’s. Daytona is your home for the next few years, and it will be even better once you get off campus and explore!
WORDS: DOMINIC POPOLO / Managing Editor
A Letter From Your SGA President... My Fellow Eagles, Today, we gather in a moment; a moment where your journey at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University begins. To every new Eagle joining us this Spring 2026 semester, I extend a heartfelt welcome. Whether you are stepping into college for the first time, transferring from another university, joining us as an exchange student, or any other background, you have made a decision that will define your future. This campus, community, and university is a special place. It is a place that calls upon the very best in us, a place where challenges become opportunities and where the pursuit of excellence is not just encouraged but expected. Now a graduate student, I can say with complete conviction that Embry-Riddle has shaped me in ways I never imagined. It has been a journey of discovery, growth, and purpose and a significant life highlight. And I know it will do the same for you. At the heart of your time here will be your academics. They are the foundation upon which you will build your dreams. Protect them, nurture them, and approach them with the same dedication you would bring to the skies. But let me share something another student mentor told me back in my freshman year: “Engagement is the key to everything you do here at Embry-Riddle.” Engage with your professors. Engage with your peers. Engage with the clubs and organizatons that make this campus vibrant. Don’t be a stranger to anyone, and don’t hesitate to explore beyond your comfort zone. It is through engagement that you will not only succeed but thrive. As Edmund Odartey (‘04, ‘10), Executive Director of Alumni Engagement and my former boss, once said to me: “Let college go through you, and not you just going through college.” Take that advice to the heart as this changed my entire journey. Here at the Student Government Association (SGA), we are here for you. My commitment as your SGA President is simple: to serve you with integrity and dedication Whether it’s through our government branches, serviceoriented divisions like The Avion, Touch-N-Go, or
WIKD 102.5 FM, we strive to make your experience better in every way. From free shuttles to essential resources, financial support for student organizations, or just a welcoming smile in the Student Leadership Lounge, we are here to ensure your journey is as smooth and fulfilling as possible. So, don’t be a stranger. Visit us on the second floor of the Mori Hosseini Student Union. Step through those glass doors, meet your SGA officials, and let us know how we can help you. We are thrilled to be a part of your story. As you begin this new chapter, remember this: You are an Eagle now. We are meant to soar and be resilient to every challenge we face. Welcome to Embry-Riddle. The sky is no longer the limit; it is just the beginning.
Ander Turueno Garcia President, Student Government Association
Madelyn Massucci
The Avion is produced by a volunteer student staff. Student editors make all content, business and editorial decisions. The editorial opinions expressed in The Avion are solely the opinion of the undersigned writer(s), and not those of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the Student Government Association, The Avion, or the student body. Letters appearing in The Avion are those of the writer, identified at the end of the letter. Opinions expressed within are those of the identified writer. Letters may be submitted to The Avion for publication, provided they are not lewd, obscene or libelous. Letter writers must confine themselves to less than 1200 words. Letters may be edited for brevity and formatted to newspaper guidelines. All letters must be signed. Names may be withheld at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief. The Avion is an open forum for student expression. The Avion is a division of the Student Government Association. The Avion is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press. The costs of this publication are paid by both the Student Government Association and through advertising fees. The Avion distributes one free copy per person. Additional copies are $0.69. Theft of newspapers is a crime, and is subject to prosecution and Embry-Riddle judicial action. This magazine and its contents are protected by United States copyright law. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, in print or electronically, without the expressed written consent of The Avion.
STUDENT SENATE VICE PRESIDENT: Giovanni Zayas sgavpres@erau.edu
COA SENATORS
NON-COLLEGE SENATORS
Jackson Bates - batesj2@my.erau.edu Brodie Pecor - pecorb@my.erau.edu Pranet Shedge - shedgep@my.erau.edu
International: Ugo Maximino
COAS SENATORS
maximinu@my.erau.edu Housing: Rui Harrison harrir41@my.erau.edu
Katherine Campbell - campbelk@my.erau.edu Gauri Niwargi - niwargig@my.erau.edu Dominic Sandell - sandelld@my.erau.edu
Housing: Rithika Nagarajan
COE SENATORS
schluesf@my.erau.edu
Dallas Ballentine - balentid@my.erau.edu Ariana Kreager - kreagera@my.erau.edu Yug Patel - pately5@my.erau.edu
Graduate: Nicholas DeGarmo deGarmn2@my.erau.edu
COB SENATORS
Student Life: Prabhsidak Singh
Peyton Stikeleather - stikelep@my.erau.edu
nagarajr@my.erau.edu ROTC: Fischer Schluessler
Veteran: Chris singhp15@my.erau.edu
Laurel June- junel@my.erau.edu Emma Ruedlinger-ruedline@my.erau.edu
STUDENT TREASURY TREASURER: Marcus Lopez sgatres@erau.edu
TREASURY BOARD Suhruth Aluru - alurus1@my.erau.edu Anthony Cafiso - cafisoa@my.erau.edu Lauren Falzarano - falzaral@my.erau.edu Sidney Koon-Koon - koonkoos@my.erau.edu Alexis Robbins - robbia10@my.erau.edu Aaralyn Wright - wrighta1@my.erau.edu
TIER REPS
Tier 1 - Marcus Lopez Tiers 2-5 - Lauren F. & Aralyn W. Tier 6 - Suhruth A. & Sidney K. Tier 7 - Anthony C. & Alexis R.
STUDENT COURT CHIEF JUSTICE: Ally Ramey sgachfj@erau.edu
STUDENT COURT SERVICES Parking Appeals: If you believe you have falsely received a parking ticket, or believe the ticket is unwarranted, you may submit a parking appeal to the Student Court. The Chief Justice will provide an initial verdict. If upon receiving this verdict you believe you have grounds to appeal further, you may present your case in a hearing to the rest of the Court. Judicial body of the SGA: The Student Court performs any judicial proceeding dictated by the Student Government Association Constitution. These duties can range from chairing the Constitution Review Committee, conducting impeachment hearings, approving amendment proposals, etc. Student Advocacy Program: The Student Advocacy Program is dedicated to serving the EmbryRiddle community by means of neutral assistance in order to ensure student rights are protected and processes abide by University policies and procedures. Residence Life Hearings: When a student is cited with violating the Honor Code or HRL policies, the Student Court will send representatives to sit on the hearing and be involved in providing a verdict and sanctions, if needed. Support SGA Sponsored Events: As a branch of the SGA, the student court will provide support for events conducted by other branches and divisions of the SGA.
SHUTTLE SERVICE
SGA SERVICES MANAGER: Audra DiPierro dipierra@erau.edu
OPERATIONS
Weekdays 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM Pickups outside the Student Union
ROUTES
Eagle Landing Express Chanute - Gemini Micaplex
Onshore Ten60
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
Parking Appeals Process Process & Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes the rules in the Campus Parking & Traffic Rules and Regulations Handbook? The university's Parking and Traffic Committee is the governing body which creates the rules all students and faculty must follow. The Student Court has a representative who sits on this committee with university faculty and staff to bring the student perspective to the
Can I appeal my parking ticket? Yes, if there are circumstances which you believe warrant an appeal, you can find the parking appeal form on the back of the physical ticket you received or on the Student Court page of the SGA website. Please know that you have 10 days from the day you received the ticket to submit an appeal.
Can I submit an appeal for a parking ticket I receive while located in the parking garage? The Student Court does not process appeals for tickets acquired while in the parking garage. Campus Safety has a process in place for that, which can be found on their website via the Ernie search bar.
What happens after I submit an appeal? After no more than 10 business days you will receive a response with a verdict given by the Chief Justice of the Student Court. If you have reason to believe that the verdict you received is unwarranted, then you may schedule to appeal the verdict to the entirety of the rest of the Student Court (7 Associate Justices). The decision made by the Associate
Where are the parking and traffic rules? The Campus Parking & Traffic Rules and Regulations Handbook is located primarily in the parking decal purchasing process. After this process is complete you acknowledge that you have read and understand the rules. If you would like to reference the rules at a later time, you can find them on the Student Court page of the SGA website or the Campus Safety page (found through Ernie).
ON-CAMPUS RESOURCES
MAIL ROOM
The Mail Center at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach campus is located on the first floor of the parking garage. You’ll get an email when a package arrives; just bring your student ID to pick it up. You can also send mail and packages through USPS, FedEx, and UPS. Be sure to use your assigned box number when shipping things Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday: Noon-3 p.m. (package pick-up only) Eagle Images
Students have the option to visit Career
CAREER SERVICES
Services in person on either residential campus or online through Worldwide, where they can review and edit their resume with the input of professionals who are dedicated to ensuring career success after graduation. Students can also connect with staff in person or online to talk through interview scenarios, figure out what to wear and gain even more valuable insight.
CAREER EXPO: March 9, 2026
Eagle Images
CENTER FOR FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY The Center of Faith and Spirituality aims to provide a
David Massey
safe and accepting environment for students who prefer support centered around their religious beliefs. Students can get involved with religion-based organizations, seek support from those with a similar cultural or religious background and get involved in giving back to the community through various initiatives. The Center for Faith and Spirituality works to foster a respectful interfaith dialogue among those who choose to participate, which enhances cultural awareness and understanding on campus.
EVENT SUPPORT
CONCERTS
CAMPUS ACTIVITIES
BE PART OF THE ACTION.
TOUCH-N-GO
PRODUCTIONS
MEETINGS: 7 : T0 H0 0U0R SSDUA2Y1 0S NEVER CEASE TO ENTERTAIN. TOUCHNGO.ORG
OFFICE: EMBRY-RIDDLE SU223 & SU224
STUDENT ORGS Build & Create
Media & Creative
- ERPL (Experimental Rocket Propulsion Lab) - ERFSEDS (Future Space Explorers and Developers Society) - DBF (Design, Build, Fly) - Formula SAE - Women’s Baja SAE - 3D Printing Club - EcoCar EV Challenge
- The Avion - WIKD 102.5 FM - Photography Club - UnReel Media - Creative Ink Writing Group - Crochet Club
Professional & Academic
Community & Culture
- AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics) - American Meterological Society - Biomedical Engineering Society - Society of Women Engineers - National Society of Black Engineers - Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers - Women in Aviation - Flight Line Assimilation Program
- Black Students Association - Women’s Ambassadors - International Student Organization - First Generation Students - Caribbean Students Association - Japanese Student Association
Sports & Lifestyle
Leadership & Advocacy
- ACDC Ice Hockey (Division 3) - Surf Club - Club Baseball - Esports - Rugby Club
- Student Government Association - Touch-N-Go Productions - Volunteer Network - Orientation Team - Fraternity & Sorority Life