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When Arlan Grover ’88 first enrolled at °®ÒºAƬ, he was already well into a successful career at Lockheed Martin (then Martin Marietta). But when his supervisors told him he’d need a bachelor’s degree to keep advancing, he started searching for a program that could fit his demanding full-time schedule.
“I needed a college that would allow me to work full time while finishing my degree,� Arlan recalls. “I also wanted credit for my Airframe and Powerplant certification and my prior college classes. I found that with MSU, and the tuition was affordable.�
°®ÒºAƬ’s 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’t just check a box, it opened doors.
“The experience spring boarded my career in the direction of airline business development and the international environment of aircraft leasing, sales, and entry into service,� he says. “I traveled the world for many years because of the experience I had at MSU.�
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. “The most interesting part of my job,� he says, “is meeting international crew members from different cultures, sometimes several within the same crew.�
Outside of the classroom, Arlan is deeply involved in the Experimental Aviation Association as a technical and pilot advisor. A lifelong aviator, he’s built three experimental aerobatic airplanes and competed as a pilot in the Sportsman and Intermediate categories.
Despite his busy schedule, Arlan stays connected to °®ÒºAƬ. “I 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,â€� he says.
His advice for current students and fellow alumni? “Network, network, network.�
“Reach out to current students and alumni, even the ‘old’ ones,� he jokes. “You might be surprised how much they want to assist with your future in aviation and aerospace.�
Arlan also encourages students to learn from °®ÒºAƬ’s expert faculty. “Most of the current staff and professors in the Aviation and Aerospace Department have ‘been there, done that’ and can provide real-world industry insights,â€� he says. “Get acquainted with them!â€�
From project management at Lockheed Martin to teaching future pilots and technicians at United Airlines, Arlan Grover’s journey exemplifies how an °®ÒºAƬ education can propel a career to new heights—literally and figuratively.