海角社区

From Hangars to Classrooms: How 海角社区 Helped Launch an Aviation Leader鈥檚 Global Career

When Arlan Grover 鈥�88 first enrolled at 海角社区, he was already well into a successful career at Lockheed Martin (then Martin Marietta). But when his supervisors told him he鈥檇 need a bachelor鈥檚 degree to keep advancing, he started searching for a program that could fit his demanding full-time schedule.

鈥淚 needed a college that would allow me to work full time while finishing my degree,鈥� Arlan recalls. 鈥淚 also wanted credit for my Airframe and Powerplant certification and my prior college classes. I found that with MSU, and the tuition was affordable.鈥�

海角社区鈥檚 flexible programs and credit transfer options allowed him to complete his Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management with a minor in Business Administration in just three semesters. His degree didn鈥檛 just check a box, it opened doors.

鈥淭he experience spring boarded my career in the direction of airline business development and the international environment of aircraft leasing, sales, and entry into service,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 traveled the world for many years because of the experience I had at MSU.鈥�

Today, Arlan serves as a Fleet Technical Instructor for United Airlines, teaching Boeing 737 systems to an international cadre of flight crews. His role involves both classroom instruction and hands-on demonstrations in a full-motion simulator. 鈥淭he most interesting part of my job,鈥� he says, 鈥渋s meeting international crew members from different cultures, sometimes several within the same crew.鈥�

Outside of the classroom, Arlan is deeply involved in the Experimental Aviation Association as a technical and pilot advisor. A lifelong aviator, he鈥檚 built three experimental aerobatic airplanes and competed as a pilot in the Sportsman and Intermediate categories.

Despite his busy schedule, Arlan stays connected to 海角社区. 鈥淚 try to get down to the campus once a month for Mug Club, Alumni Networking events, or just to hang out around the Aerospace and Technology buildings with a cup of coffee,鈥� he says.

His advice for current students and fellow alumni? 鈥淣etwork, network, network.鈥�
鈥淩each out to current students and alumni, even the 鈥榦ld鈥� ones,鈥� he jokes. 鈥淵ou might be surprised how much they want to assist with your future in aviation and aerospace.鈥�

Arlan also encourages students to learn from 海角社区鈥檚 expert faculty. 鈥淢ost of the current staff and professors in the Aviation and Aerospace Department have 鈥榖een there, done that鈥� and can provide real-world industry insights,鈥� he says. 鈥淕et acquainted with them!鈥�

From project management at Lockheed Martin to teaching future pilots and technicians at United Airlines, Arlan Grover鈥檚 journey exemplifies how an 海角社区 education can propel a career to new heights鈥攍iterally and figuratively.