What's the Word? Eagle Alumni Spotlights

Hosted by Department of Humanities & Communication, ERAU-Prescott

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May 2026

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About the show

What's the Word? is an interview podcast featuring career highlights and advice from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Prescott campus alumni in a range of fields, from engineering, global security, business, and aviation. Transcripts are hosted via the Prescott campus Writing & Design Lab: https://eaglelife.erau.edu/pwc/blog/

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54 recent

September 11, 202612 min

Katlyn Lima, Forensic Biology

Katlyn (2023, Forensic Biology with a minor in Security and Intelligence) is now a master’s student at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, focusing on nonproliferation and terrorism with Russian language study. Alongside her coursework, she does freelance work related to weapons of mass destruction and has completed hands-on CBRN emergency response training and a crime scene internship with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. She hopes to work in the federal government in a field-based role that combines her undergrad and graduate expertise. A former transfer student from San Jose State, she reminds listeners that everyone moves through school and careers on their own timeline. Her advice for current students is to get to know resources like the career and writing centers early, attend guest lectures to build a network, and, if you’re considering grad school, seriously explore it and don’t be afraid to go for it.

August 28, 202619 min

Maria Icenogle, Wildlife Science

Maria Icenogle, a 2019 graduate of Embry Riddle's Wildlife Science program, a major no longer offered at ERAU. Maria discussed her career journey and current role as Education Director at the Highlands Center for Natural History. She highlighted her experience with Arizona Game and Fish and her passion for outdoor activities, including hiking the Appalachian Trail. Maria emphasized the importance of writing in her role, including grant writing and program development. She also shared her initiative to start grief support groups at the Highlands Center, integrating nature to aid healing. Maria advised students to stay curious, volunteer, and build relationships for lifelong learning and success.

May 8, 202620 min

John Barragan, Aerospace Engineering

John Barragan (2020, Aerospace Engineering) shared his career journey from Sacramento to various roles in aerospace engineering. He worked at Collins Aerospace, General Atomics, and now Honeywell. At Honeywell, he focuses on turbine engine testing. John highlighted his role in designing and testing turbine rigs, collecting performance data, and writing technical reports. He emphasized the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in his career. John graduated in during the COVID-19 pandemic and advised future graduates to keep learning and expanding their horizons for career success.

April 24, 20267 min

Somaralyz Grullon, Mechanical Engineering

Abigail interviews a recent graduate from Embry Riddle, now a software engineer at Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing Company. The guest shares their favorite memory from college, leading a research team to New Mexico and Texas to study an eclipse, and how that experience translates to their current job, which involves writing test cases for flight software. They emphasize the importance of clear, concise technical writing for documentation and collaboration. The guest advises current students to maintain their technical writing skills, as documentation is crucial in engineering. The podcast is supported by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Department of Humanities and Communication.

April 10, 20268 min

Nick Kopacek, Aerospace Engineering Astronautics

Nick Kopacek, a 2025 graduate of Embry-Riddle with a degree in Aerospace Engineering, currently works at Raytheon. He discusses his career, which involves significant hands-on work with hardware and extensive report writing. Nick highlights the importance of writing and public speaking as part of collaborating in the workplace. Even for very technical careers, problem-solving skills are more valuable than technical knowledge, since on-the-job training can fill in any gaps in your education. Nick advises current students to focus on communication and social skills, as they are crucial in the industry.

April 1, 202613 min

Nicole Drake, Aerospace Engineering

Nicole Drake, a 2020 aerospace engineering graduate from Embry Riddle, shared her career journey from customer service and semiconductor supplier work to returning as an academic advisor. She fondly recalled her capstone project on an amphibious aircraft during COVID-19. Nicole enjoys advising students, especially those pursuing aviation dreams. Her role involves extensive student interaction, degree planning, and handling personal issues. She emphasized the importance of making connections, attending career fairs, and maintaining professor relationships. Nicole noted the busy registration period and the administrative work required, contrasting her technical writing background with the emotional aspects of her current role.

March 13, 202612 min

Ron Fielding - Aeronautical Engineering

In this episode, Ron Fielding, a retired Boeing engineer, reflects on his career and how well his education at Embry-Riddle prepared him for his work. He graduated in 1986 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, attending both Prescott and Daytona Beach campuses. Ron started at Boeing in defense, transitioning to commercial aircraft and eventually working with Boeing Materials and Technology (BMT), in Quality Assurance and as a Standards Engineer managing specifications and standards for aircraft materials and processes. Ron estimates that he wrote over 100 feet of paperwork, including detailed specifications for materials and hardware. He emphasizes the importance of clear, concise documentation for international manufacturers from different backgrounds. He hopes that current Embry-Riddle students will study hard and enjoy their time at the university.

February 27, 202614 min

Lily Davis, Forensic Biology

Lily Davis, a 2024 graduate from Embry-Riddle's Prescott campus, currently works in the university's philanthropy and alumni department. She transitioned from a forensic biology major to an administrative coordinator role, handling donor interactions, gift processing, and legal documentation. Lily recalls her unique freshman year during COVID-19, marked by virtual classes and daily temperature checks. She emphasizes the importance of following one's passions and shares her journey from job applications to her current position, which involved a fast-paced transition and overcoming personal challenges. Lily advises students to be open to new experiences and to follow their true interests.

February 13, 20269 min

Mitchell Graham, Aerospace Engineering

Mitchel Graham, an Embry-Riddle Prescott graduate and aeronautical engineer at Lockheed Martin, discusses his journey into aircraft and UAV design, emphasizing the value of hands-on experience and strong, versatile communication skills. He shares career highlights, favorite projects like Speed Racer, and advice for students on building friendships, participating in clubs, and staying physically active. He hopes all current Eagles are enjoying their time at Embry-Riddle!

January 30, 20268 min

Hope Elmer, Aerospace Engineering

Hope Elmer, a second-year PhD student at Texas A&M, discusses her research on shape memory alloys, with a shout-out to Dr. David Lanning who helped spur her interest in materials research while she was at ERAU. She mentions how important time management is as a skill for breaking big goals into manageable steps. To communicate her research to other engineers, academics, and general audiences, Hope and her collaborator need to carefully design data visualizations to illustrate their results and to help tell a clear story about the potential impacts of their project. For current Embry-Riddle students, Hope says to get involved and join clubs based on your interests and goals.