Alejandro Corona

I am a San Jose State University senior majoring in Aviation Management. For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated by travel and airplanes. This has brought me to travel to twelve different countries and engage with diverse communities, cultures, and peoples. I have a passion for the aviation industry, and I gained hands-on experience during an internship at the Nevada County Airport during the past summer and winter break. At the Nevada County Airport, I learned airport operations and management skills that are key to ensuring safety and assurance in an airport environment. I am excited to pursue a career in the aviation industry after I graduate.

Beyond academics, I am actively involved in campus life. I am a member of the SJSU club cycling team, ballroom dance team, and the Latino Business Student Association. In my free time, I relax and inspiration through reading and swimming, hobbies that balance my academic and extracurricular commitments.

Cody Goodwin

My passion for aviation began in early childhood, inspired by my grandfather, who frequently took me on flight trips and later became my first flight instructor. Since then, I have aspired to become a pilot of the same caliber, or even surpass, his expertise. Through dedication and perseverance, I have earned my instrument, commercial, and multi-engine ratings. The multi-engine rating, in particular, stands out as a highlight, as I had the opportunity to train and complete my check ride in a Cessna 310Q.

In addition to my flying experience, I bring relevant experience in facility maintenance from my time at Eagles Nest Airport, where I was responsible for maintaining airport facilities and pavements. I have also worked with Orion Aircraft Services as a Maintenance Assistant, where I supported a variety of aircraft maintenance tasks, including compression checks, flight control removals, cowling installations, and inspection panel removals.

Rana Ismail

Rana Ismail is an experienced aviation professional with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management from San Jose State University and a proven track record in ramp supervision and airport operations. With a focus on logistics, team leadership, and operational efficiency, Rana has successfully led large, unionized teams in dynamic airport settings, demonstrating strong strategic planning skills and a commitment to safety and compliance.

Currently serving as a Ramp Supervisor at Southwest Airlines’ mega station in San Jose, Rana oversees critical ramp operations and manages the coordination of aircraft handling, while conducting regular audits to ensure adherence to safety standards. Prior to joining Southwest, Rana held a supervisory role with UPS at both Oakland and San Jose airports, where she managed cargo processes and maintained HAZMAT compliance across stations, showcasing her adaptability and problem-solving abilities in fast-paced environments.

Rana’s earlier experience with American Airlines in Monterey provided her with comprehensive knowledge across customer service, operations, and ramp duties, where she also served as a GSC and Safety Representative. Her multifaceted background has equipped her with expertise in managing complex airport operations, fostering team collaboration, and enhancing customer satisfaction, making her a well-rounded professional prepared to take on the Ramp Manager position with dedication and a results-driven approach.

Ashley Lin

My name is Ashley Lin and I am a graduating senior at San Jose State University, majoring in Aviation Management with minors in Business and Chinese. Coming from a business background, I started my aviation journey in the Fall of 2022when I transferred to SJSU. Since then, I have become very active in the industry by joining both student-run and professional organizations, attending conferences across the country, and interning at the Hayward Executive Airport(KHWD).

During my time as an aviation student at SJSU, my proudest achievement is restarting the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) club at theschool and later becoming the president. Within this role, I was able to create astrong network of industry professionals dedicated to giving back to students. I organized a resume-building workshop, set up numerous guest speaker events and airport tours, and also took club members to the annual SWAAAE Summer Conference. I also got to liaise with many people whose careers I took guidance from for my own path forward.

As I move on from SJSU, I am very grateful for my time at the school. I have made lifelong friendships and taken the first steps into my career. I am excited to see what comes next after graduation.

Leslie Rendon

I am attending San Jose State University graduating Fall 2024 pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Aviation with a concentration in Flight Operations and a minor in Business Management.

My passion for aviation goes beyond just a career path — it inspires me to grow, connect with others, and help create opportunities for future aviators.

Throughout my journey, I’ve had the privilege of interning with United Airlines, where I worked closely with airport operations supervisors, gaining insights into the airline and ensuring smooth workflow with a successful project completion to improve United's operational efficiency at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). As Secretary for the Women in Aviation and American Association of Airport Executives Chapters at SJSU, I’ve learned the importance of collaboration while planning and coordinating fundraisers, outreach efforts, and events that promote professional development and industry networking. Most recently, I worked with NorCal Business Aviation Association (NCBAA) to bring the Aviation Career Discovery Day to life, an experience that deepened my commitment to inspiring others to pursue their aviation dreams.

No journey is without challenges, and each opportunity brings new lessons. Aviation has taught me the importance of resilience, connection, and innovation, and I look forward to contributing to an industry that has given me so much.

Andre Rodrigo Yanez

I am dedicated and result-driven with a passion for aviation and values oriented focusing on safety, innovation, and service while reflecting the unique spirit of aviation. I consider myself an accomplished aviator always dedicated to advance in my career in the aviation industry. Inspired by my mother since I was a kid and seeing her work in Avianca Airlines for 23 years in El Salvador and now at Southwest, I developed a passion for flying early on, which led me to pursue formal training and education in aviation. I am attending and graduating this semester from San Jose State University where I will be holding a degree in Bachelor of Science focussed in Aviation centered in Professional Flight where the opportunities have made me acquire a strong foundation of the technical aspects of aviation in their coursework and practical experience in the field. Simultaneously I earned my FAA ratings in 2024 from Private Pilot to Certified Flight Instructor in 7 months.

I currently serve as a Certified Flight instructor at Tradewinds Aviation out of Reid- HillView Airport, where I enjoy mentoring aspiring pilots and honing my skills in various aircraft, and first hand see the transformative power of aviation. Aviation is an everyday lifestyle that allows me opportunities and challenges to learn, grow, and help others reach their goals and watch and be part of the incredible teamwork, precision, and trust that makes every flight possible.

My role allows me to cultivate a safety-first mindset and a commitment to operational excellence with core values that I plan to carry forward as I transition into the Airline industry. Looking ahead, my long-term ambition is to join a major airline, combining my technical expertise, dedication, and love for aviation to make a meaningful impact in commercial aviation.

Joshua Schwarzbart

Hello, I am Joshua Schwarzbart, a fifth year student who is expecting to graduate this fall from San Jose State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation and a concentration in Professional Flight. As a child, I have always had a deep fascination for aircraft and anything mechanical and have demonstrated my passion for flight throughout my years at San Jose State, aspiring to become a pilot in the future.

During my academic career outside of coursework, I have worked on obtaining my licenses— I currently hold a Private Pilot license and am working towards an Instrument Rating and wish to pursue my Commercial Pilot license soon after. Additionally I have worked at an FBO at San Martin, a nearby airport, under the supervision of my university department advisor, who also owns and maintains the FBO. Here I worked as an aircraft fueler, but also as a general assistant to the mechanics that worked in the hangar and would attend to the needs of many pilots that visited or were based at the airport. More recently, I have had the pleasure of working with NCBAA and my Senior Capstone peers to deliver the inaugural Aviation Career Discovery Day at San Jose State University which proved to be quite successful.

My coursework, combined with hands-on experience through work experience and projects, have equipped me with the practical knowledge, adaptability, and networking experience to provide a strong introduction to the aviation industry as a whole. I look forward to the future, excited to start the next phase of my career and strengthen my skills as a growing professional.