Clear for takeoff: How WMU’s aviation program launched A’maree Waddell’s career

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—A vacation to Disney World is a highlight of many childhoods, but for A’maree Waddell, the magic started long before she touched down in the Sunshine State. 

“I remember walking into O’Hare airport, and it was just so busy and the planes were so big. I was glued to the windows!” the Chicago native says. “And I thought, ‘I want to do this one day! I want to work here.’”  

As she prepares to graduate Saturday, May 2, from Western Michigan University’s aviation management and operations program, she’s well on her way. Waddell landed a full-time job as an operations coordinator for TBI Airport Management at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport—one of the busiest airports in the country. 

“It’s going to be intimidating at first, but I’m so excited. I’ll be in charge of communicating with pilots who are coming in and landing because I’ll be controlling the gates,” she says. “It’s such a fast-paced environment, I just wanted to be a part of it.” 

It’s a big job for a fresh college graduate, but Waddell feels confident she has the preparation she needs to hit the ground running.  

“When you mention you went to Western in an interview, they know you’re good,” she says. “Western has such great programs, and they really prepare you for big airports. Plus, I’ll be graduating with a general business minor and airport management certificate as well.” 

Top flight education 

A valedictorian in high school with multiple prospects, Waddell was accepted to all 11 colleges where she applied. At the time, she was looking for a school where she could pursue her dream of being a pilot. 

“I started doing research and looking at flight programs,” she says. “When I visited Western, I loved the vibe of campus. It just felt like home. And the flight program is really, really good.” 

When she learned she’d won a Foundation Scholarship—among the most prestigious and largest scholarships at Western—the choice was easy. 

“Financial support is the greatest gift I could have received from anybody,” she says. 

From wheels up at Western, Waddell took every opportunity she could to get involved.  

“Western was the right choice for me because I was able to find a sense of community that nurtured all aspects of everything that I embodied as a person,” she says. “The professors were amazing. The advisors were so helpful. Western has so many great resources; there’s always somebody to check on you and make you feel supported.” 

Building professional connections 

The College of Aviation became a springboard for connection, and when she wasn’t racking up flight hours and attending classes, Waddell was busy bolstering her professional foundation.  

“I also always tell students, you need to spend as much time as you can at the College of Aviation campus. The more you put yourself out there, the more opportunities you get. Career fairs, aviation outlook days, programming, networking, it’s all there.” 

One of the most pivotal connections Waddell made happened during her second semester on campus when she met students on the leadership team of WMU’s chapter of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP). They immediately took her under their wing, and before she knew it, she was traveling to national conferences and became the chapter’s vice president. 

“The conferences were a great foundation for what I knew aviation to be like,” says Waddell, who attended conferences in New Orleans, Louisiana; Memphis, Tennessee; Tacoma, Washington; and Chicago, Illinois. “I could see people who looked like me who were very successful.” 

OBAP also has a strong network of supportive alumni—such as Randall Rochon, B.S.’02, a pilot at United Airlines, and Monique Grayson, B.S.’10, a pilot at Delta—who act as mentors to students. 

“[Randall] is literally the person I was on the phone with minutes before my interview with TBI. He was giving me so much advice and doing research with me,” Waddell says. “It’s all about bringing others up with you.” 

Runway to success 

The more Waddell grew as a leader, the more opportunities presented themselves to her for growth. After joining Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., she quickly joined the executive board as first vice president. She also became president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, which represents the historically Black fraternities and sororities on campus. 

Through her roles, she attended a national conference and helped plan major events on campus, such as the annual Yard Show and March Down during WMU Homecoming. 

“These positions allowed me to lead with purpose, collaborate with peers across communities, and further my passion for service and representation,” she says. “Each experience prepared me for life after college, where I aspire to bring the same dedication, vision, and resilience into my career and beyond.” 

Waddell found her stride organizing events, leading teams and encouraging community, so it’s no surprise she found her spark in aviation on the operations side. She chose to switch her major to management and operations in spring 2025. 

“I still see myself eventually becoming a pilot, but I really found my passion in airport operations—how the airport runs, what organization looks like, how runways work, things like that,” she says. Now, as she prepares to take the next step in her professional life, Waddell is more confident than ever in the path she took to get there. 

“College is so important: It’s character development; it matures you; it allows for you to understand how to work with people and experience what conflict looks like and how to address it; it allows you to figure out what work-life balance looks like,” she says. “More than anything, it eases you into professional life by giving you opportunities to gain experience while also having support and resources around you.” 

Simply put, Waddell says, “College is the best decision you can make—and I tell everyone they should come to Western.” 

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