Meet the 2025 Class of Boeing Scholars at Embry-Riddle

Vanessa Fakrogha says she chose to study Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University “to be the best pilot I can be.” She got a boost in that direction during her first semester this fall when she was selected as a Boeing Scholar.

“With this scholarship, I get to meet other like-minded people who are in the industry, and be a part of something so cool,” she said. “When I was selected, I was super happy because this wasn't something that I had applied for; I was chosen because someone out there saw how hard I was working.”

Fakrogha is one of 12 high-performing freshmen selected by The Boeing Company this year to receive scholarships of $7,500 a year for two years. The grants are supported by a $3 million endowment from Boeing, the world’s largest aerospace company and leading aircraft manufacturer.

The 2025 Boeing Scholars at the university’s Daytona Beach and Prescott campuses are pursuing degrees in a broad range of aviation and aerospace programs, including Aeronautical Science, Aviation Business Administration, Aerospace Engineering, Aviation Maintenance Science, Human Factors and more. The scholarships finance part of each awardee’s room and board and are intended to broaden the aviation workforce pipeline.

Outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated financial need determine which students are chosen. This is the seventh year that the Boeing scholarships have been awarded at Embry-Riddle. Since 2019, 93 scholarships have been awarded.

“Through this important partnership with Boeing, we are fostering the next generation of aviation talent that our industry needs," said Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler. "The Boeing Scholars program provides unique support to these outstanding students, who are motivated to realize their personal and professional goals of building rewarding careers across aviation and aerospace."

In addition to receiving financial assistance, the Boeing Scholars are provided with networking and mentorship opportunities, including trips to Boeing facilities, group projects, speaker presentations and meet-and-greets with Boeing employees.

“Boeing is committed to nurturing the next generation of aviation leaders,” said Linwood Ham, director of Boeing Global Engagement — Eastern Region. “By investing in these talented students, we are not only supporting their educational journeys but also strengthening the future of the aerospace industry. We believe that through mentorship, networking and financial support, these scholars will soar to new heights in their careers.”

Boeing Scholars who have graduated from Embry-Riddle have often gone directly into jobs at top aviation and aerospace companies and organizations, including Boeing, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, the Federal Aviation Administration and the United Aviate and Delta Propel pilot development programs.

Boeing also offers a number of other valuable programs for students. The company hosted nearly 1,000 interns in 2025, of which 37 came from Embry-Riddle.

The Boeing Career Mentoring Program — offered to students at both residential campuses —  is a highly selective initiative that matches up to 40 students per year with Embry‑Riddle alumni who work at Boeing. The program includes career preparation advice, as well as regularly scheduled professional development workshops.

Students on both Embry‑Riddle residential campuses can become Boeing Student Ambassadors, who work closely with Career Services to help prepare students interested in working for Boeing and inform them of available opportunities ahead of fall recruiting.

The strong partnership between Boeing and Embry-Riddle extends beyond those student programs. Boeing participates in Embry‑Riddle research activities, the company is represented on college industry advisory boards on campus, and the university takes part in the annual Boeing Summit. Boeing has also donated funds to Career Services at both residential campuses to help produce Boeing Development Days, special speaking engagements and events that promote communication and leadership skill development for students from a wide range of backgrounds.

In 2024, the Boeing Center for Aviation & Aerospace Safety was opened at Embry‑Riddle — a research facility that engages students in efforts to drive safety advancements. And this month, the Boeing Engineering Center opened in the Cici & Hyatt Brown Center for Aerospace Technology at Embry-Riddle’s Research Park. The center will support engineering research and development for Boeing Defense, Space & Security programs, as well as advanced technology efforts.

Boeing Scholar Oscar Lopez Garcia, who is majoring in Aviation Business Administration, was amazed to have earned a Boeing Scholarship, saying that it “just showed up” on his financial aid page and was a very welcome surprise.

“The best thing about this scholarship is that it sets the foundation for my success here at Embry-Riddle, by empowering me to focus on my education,” Lopez said.  

For Boeing Scholar Katherina Steiner, a Human Factors Psychology major, the scholarship will allow her to “make connections with people vital to my future success. In every meeting, I am reminded how grateful I am to have received such an opportunity.”

The 2025 Boeing Scholars at Embry‑Riddle

The selected scholars, who come from across the nation, are high-performing high school students with exceptional grade-point averages.

Arizona

• Camille Hawkins of Tucson, Arizona, Amphitheater High School

California

• Vanessa Fakrogha of Bakersfield, California, Liberty High School and Bakersfield College

Florida

• Priscilla Aleksic of Clermont, Florida, South Lake High School

• Saule Kondra of Tampa, Florida, George M. Steinbrunner High School

• Khamari Katherina Steiner of Pinecrest, Florida, Coral Reef Senior High School

• Leveque of Plantation, Florida, Charles W. Flanaghan High School

• Isabella Zerbarini of Dunedin, Florida, Martin Nesbitt Discovery Academy and A-B Tech

Louisiana

• Chad Johnson of Lulling, Louisiana, Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts

New Mexico

• Briana Taylor of Clayton, New Mexico, Clayton High School

Nevada

• Oscar Lopez Garcia of Las Vegas, Nevada, Sunrise Mountain High School

Oregon

• Lidia Heath of Happy Valley, Oregon, Rex Putnam High School

Texas

• Zabrina Rios of Fort Worth, Texas, Lake Worth High School