DENVER — In an effort to increase diversity in aviation, United Airlines brought 50 students from historically Black colleges and universities to its training center Wednesday.
Students represented Elizabeth City State University, Delaware State University, Chicago State University, Hampton University, Texas Southern University and Howard University.
"They’re some of the best and brightest minds and hopefully they’ll be the best and brightest minds at United," United interim Chief Diversity Officer Anel Ruiz said.
Eliana Rothwell is a senior at Delaware State and took the cross-country trip to meet with pilots of color.
"I always wanted to fly," Rothwell said. "I just never knew it was a pathway and opportunity until I had mentors, and that’s why something like this is really important for the next generation to have mentors, to lean towards when things get tough, celebrate the happy moments. Stuff like this is really inspiring."
Rothwell is a part of United Aviate, a career-development program for aspiring pilots. She said that United has been an airline she's looked up to since she had an interest in flying.
The U.S. Air Force's first Black woman pilot, Theresa Claiborne, retired earlier this year from United. Rothwell said she had an opportunity to speak with Claiborne at her retirement celebrations.
"Seeing someone who's conquered it all and done it with such grace is so inspiring," Rothwell said.
Rothwell knows demographics of the aviation industry are not where they should be, but she wants to shift the narrative.
"I think with any pilot, when you get on the flight deck, you want to peek in and see like, 'Who’s here? What's going on?'" Rothwell said. "But it is a rarity to see a person of color, and that is something I always look for. Even when I’m just waiting on a layover. I'm looking through the airport, trying to see where’s a female captain, where’s a female first officer, where's a person of color."
She said the state of the industry is both a challenge and motivator.
"It’s that feeling of, 'Maybe I don't belong here,' and that’s again why events like this are so beneficial to see people who look like me, who are me, that are achieving the career that I aspire to be in," Rothwell said.
According to United's workforce data, in 2023, 18% of frontline workers were Hispanic/Latino, 15% were Black, 12% were Asian and 48% were white. United defines frontline workers as pilots, flight attendants, customer service, ramp agents and technical operations.
Pilot Michael Bonner has been on the front lines for United for 28 years, and has 40 years of flying experience.
"I knew at an early age that flying airplanes is what I wanted to for a living," Bonner said.
Bonner said he took the military path in college and knew he would be one of a few people who looked like him in most rooms. He recalls being one of three Black pilots while working out of San Diego.
"But that drove me to doing things like we’re doing today," Bonner said. "To give back and support the next generation of aviators, coming to the airlines. My path just really fueled my passion for giving back with events like we’re doing today."
Bonner said he's been encouraging students to be courageous and know their worth.
"Ask for more, try to be more now as you’re learning to be that aviation manager or professional pilot, and take every opportunity to engage with people who do look like you and are doing what you want to do," Bonner said. "Don’t pass up on those opportunities."
The opportunity to connect is not lost on students like Rothwell.
"It’s hard to achieve something you don’t see every day," Rothwell said. "So being surrounded by a room full of colored pilots, it’s inspiring and motivating to keep chasing my dreams."
Rothwell said she's on the pilot track at her university. She hopes to one day be a captain with United.
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