“If You Can See It, You Can Achieve It.”
By: Federal Aviation Administration
Tags: Hbcu, Diversity, Aviation, Education, STEM

“If You Can See It, You Can Achieve It.”

A pioneer for the first Airway Science Electronics program at Langston University, Johnny Rose is paying it forward as a mentor to the next generation of aviation professionals. Federal Aviation Administration Follow Sep 10 · 3 min read

Nearly a year ago, Johnny Rose started working as an air traffic safety inspector at the FAA’s Fort Worth Regional Office. But he remembers the moment his aviation career really took off.

“I was the first person to graduate from the Airway Science Electronics program at Langston University,” recalled the Oklahoma City native. “I originally majored in biology and chemistry, but I realized I don’t like blood and guts,” explained Rose, who went to college with a deep passion for science. His college advisor mentioned an FAA program that would allow him to get in touch with his engineering interests. “I definitely had more interest in that because I had been tinkering with electronics all my life. I was in advanced courses for science and mathematics in high school. I knew I really wanted to get into science.”

According to the university’s website, “Langston University was officially adopted by the FAA, which provided support to the Department of Technology, resulting in the establishment of a B.S. degree program in Airway Science, a cooperative effort with Oklahoma State University.” That FAA partnership connects Langston University students with Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport. After graduation, Rose returned to the university as a mentor and helped teach aviation courses.

Langston University is part of the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) network, and the FAA program Rose helped pioneer represents one of the first aviation programs on an HBCU campus. Rose takes his role in launching this effort very seriously.

“I wanted to help Black students see that they could also work in aviation. If you can see it, you can achieve it. Representation matters!”

The educational institution Rose attended also offers the Langston University Summer Transportation Institute (LUSTI), which pairs various transportation companies together with junior and senior high school students to help them learn about the transportation industry. It’s a way to strengthen and increase participation of Minority Institutions of Higher Learning in federal programs. “A lot of what we did in Oklahoma City back then helped inspire the [Aviation Career Education] ACE Camps we see today.”

Rose spent the next 15 years as a FAA Academy Instructor, educating attendees about navigation and landing instruments, before landing in Dallas-Fort Worth as an air traffic safety inspector.

“We monitor the management of the [FAA’s] Safety Management System (SMS) to ensure potential hazards are identified, assessed, and, when necessary, effectively mitigated,” said Rose. “We do important work every day, and we have a great group.”

When Johnny isn’t working, he enjoys fellowshipping with this old Oklahoma City church family online. He also loves listening to throwback hits from his cousin Kanye West. “The College Dropout album was great! It’s one of my favorites from ‘Ye.”