Samantha Bowyer
- Title
- Associate Professor
- Samantha.Bowyer@erau.edu Email
- Department
- Aeronautical Science Department
- College
- College of Aviation
Biography
Dr. Samantha Bowyer has been an educator in the aviation industry since the age of 19. She began her career as a flight and ground instructor at both Part 141 and Part 61 flight schools, eventually serving as Chief Flight Instructor. She later transitioned into traditional education, establishing a four-year aviation academy at a public high school in partnership with the Gatez Aerospace Academy. This experience led to her current role as Associate Professor of Aeronautical Science.
Dr. Bowyer holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Management, a Master of Business Administration with a focus in Project Management and a Doctor of Business Administration specializing in Project Management. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a certified flight instructor for single- and multi-engine airplanes, including instrument rating. Her research centers on applying project management skills and methodologies to enhance curriculum design and program development in aviation education.
Outside of the classroom, Dr. Bowyer enjoys flying her Cherokee 180, kayaking, backpacking the Appalachian Trail and spending time at the beach with her two children.
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)
- Pathways to Retention for Women in Aviation Education Pure Portfolio (2024)
- Mental Health Resiliency Training Pure Portfolio (2024)
- Engaging Aeronautical Science Students with Technology Pure Portfolio (2023)
- The Use of Industry Advisory Boards in Aviation Degree Programs-An Exploratory Case Study Pure Portfolio (2023)
- The Use of Industry Advisory Boards in Support of Collegiate Aviation Programs Pure Portfolio (2023)
- Implementing DEI in Aviation Education: Coping and Addressing Mental Health Concerns Publications (2022)
- Implementing DEI in Aviation Education: Coping and Addressing Mental Health Concerns Pure Portfolio (2022)
- Session 2C - Insights into DEI in the Aviation Industry National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS) (2022)
- Industry Panel - Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Revolution: From Talk to Collective Action National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS) (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)
- Exploring the Impact of Early Exposure to Research on Dual Enrollment Students: A Qualitative Single-Case Study Pure Portfolio (2021)
- Exploring the impact of early exposure to research on dual enrollement students_AdkinsAlbeloBowyer.pdf Pure Portfolio (2021)
- Concurrent Sessions: Session 9B - The Changing Landscape of Flight Training National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS) (2020)
- 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)
- Concurrent Sessions: Session 1A - Flight Training 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