UHart's First Undergrad Aerospace Students Take Off After Graduation

When the University of Hartford’s new aerospace program launched, three current students immediately jumped on board. Having initially been mechanical engineering majors they completed the aerospace requirements in just two years.

On May 14, those same engineering students were awarded their degrees at the Commencement ceremony held at the XL Center in Hartford, becoming UHart’s very first aerospace graduates. 

UHart’s College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture (CETA) began offering aerospace engineering in fall 2021, the first semester back amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Now, the three graduates, Alba Marcelin, Jeremy Beau, and Ryan Arndt, are excited to apply their skills to the industry.

Marcelin will begin GE Aviation’s Engineering Edison Development Program (EEDP) in July 2023 in Jacksonville, FL. Through this rotational leadership program, she will explore various specializations in aviation engineering. 

Beau will continue working as a Manager of F135 Sustainment at Collins Aerospace, and Arndt is open to assessing his industry opportunities.

Paul Slaboch, director of the aerospace engineering program and chair of CETA’s mechanical, aerospace, and acoustical engineering department, recalled his positive experience in teaching the first graduates. 

“It was a pleasure having these three in class. The program launched right after COVID-19, so it has been amazing seeing them grow and persevere through a lot of transition after virtual learning,” he says.

Slaboch explained how the students were always flexible to curriculum changes. “Class was always fun. The students were able to provide helpful feedback based on their first-hand experiences, which in turn helped improve the program every semester,” he added.

UHart is conveniently located in what’s called “aerospace alley” in CT, a hub of aerospace firms in CT,offering Marcelin, Beau, and Arndt an optimistic outlook for careers in the engineering industry.