Samantha Bowyer
- Title
- Associate Professor
- Samantha.Bowyer@erau.edu Email
- Department
- Aeronautical Science Department
- College
- College of Aviation
Biography
Samantha Bowyer has taught in various platforms within the aviation industry since she was 19. Serving as a flight and ground instructor at Part 141 and Part 61 flight schools, she became Chief Flight Instructor. She then moved into more traditional education by working for a public high school and building a 4-year aviation academy in conjunction with the Gatez Aerospace Academy. This role led her to her current position as Associate Professor of Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Samantha holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Management, a Master of Business Administration with a focus in Project Management, and is a Doctor of Business Administration specializing in Project Management. Dr. Bowyer is a certified Project Management Professional. She is also a certified flight instructor in airplanes single- and multi-engine, including an instrument rating. Her research focus is on using project skills and methodologies to improve curriculum and program development of aviation education.
In her free time you can find her in her Cherokee 180, in her kayak, at the beach with her 2 kids, or backpacking the Appalachian Trail.
Education
- D.B.A. - Doctor of Business Administration in Project Management, Liberty University
- M.B.A. - Master of Business Administration in Project Management, Capella University
Ratings and Certificates
Currently Teaching
- AS 254: Aviation Legislation
- AS 221: Instrument Pilot Operations
Courses Taught
AS 121; AS 220; AS 221; AS235; AS254; AS 309; AS 321; AS 322; ASC 101; ASCI 260Publications
- Navigating Mental Wellness in Collegiate Aviation Pilots: A Workshop Intervention Study BCAAS Annual Safety Research Symposium (2025)
- Investigating Retention Solutions for Women in Aviation Education and Flight Training Publications (2024)
- The Role of Mental Health Training and Education in Achieving Resilience for Collegiate Aviation Pilots Pure Portfolio (2024)
- The Use of Industry Advisory Boards in Aviation Degree Programs-An Exploratory Case Study Pure Portfolio (2023)
- Engaging Aeronautical Science Students with Technology Pure Portfolio (2023)
- Implementing DEI in Aviation Education: Coping and Addressing Mental Health Concerns Publications (2022)
- Implementing DEI in Aviation Education Pure Portfolio (2022)
- A Qualitative Single-Case Exploring the Impact of a Mentor and Cohort on Students’ Academic and Career Decisions. Publications (2022)
- Exploring the Impact of Early Exposure to Research on Dual Enrollment Students: A Qualitative Single-Case Study Publications (2021)
- Students’ Perspective of Self-Guided Simulation Training on Process in the Initial Phase of Private Pilot Flight Training: A Preliminary Review National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS) (2020)
Memberships and Credentials
University Aviation Association--Member and Committee Chair
Women in Aviation International--Member and Faculty Advisor of the ERAU-DB Chapter
Project Management Institute-Member and PMP
Experimental Aircraft Association--Member and Young Eagles Mentor Pilot
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association--Member
National Association of Flight Instructors--Member and Volunteer
Awards, Honors and Recognitions
- Teacher of the Year, ERAU-Daytona Beach Campus
- Nominee Finalist, AY 2019-2020
- Nominee, AY 2020-2021
- Nominee, AY 2023-2024
- Outstanding Performance Award Winner, Aeronautical Science Department, AY 2019-2020
- Lifetime Membership of NAFI, awarded by the NAFI Board of Directors as recognition for service as project manager of the inaugural NAFI Summit 2023
- 2024 Jack Eggspuhler Award for Outstanding Service and Dedication to NAFI and its Members