In its inaugural class of Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) cadets, the University of Central Arkansas Aviation Academy had a 100% pass rate for all participants, an achievement only realized by four of the 17 participating university partners nationwide.
The eight cadets celebrated their graduation on July 30 after successfully completing the program. The cadets lived on campus for the duration of the summer and exited the program having earned their Private Pilot License and three hours of academic credit. In addition to intensive flight training, the cadets also received a tour of the Little Rock Air Force Base where they were able to fly in the base’s C-130H simulator.
“We are proud to be a valued partner with the US Air Force. To be selected in our academy’s first year is a tribute to our great university, Central Flying Academy, the Conway Airport, and the growth of the UCA Aviation Academy,” said Brad Teague, UCA Aviation Academy director. “This JROTC Flight Training Program is highly selective. We were able to train very determined young people to their Private Pilot License in a short amount of time. This experience was certainly beneficial to us all.”
Cadets are selected through a competitive process, and the Air Force will continue to place cadets with the UCA Aviation Academy in subsequent summers. For more information about the Aviation Academy or the JROTC Flight Training Program, contact Brad Teague at (501) 450-5244 or bteague@uca.edu.
UCA’s 2025 JROTC graduates:
- Hayden Cianessi – Spring, TX
- Alexis Lanning – Lexington, NC
- Norberto Maldonado Feliciano – Flower Mound, TX
- Alexander Pepi – Argyle, TX
- Jacob Sartor – Fenton, MI
- Lauren Stevenson – San Antonio, TX
- Mikala Urenda – Niceville, FL
- Grace Wang – Mentone, CA
Pictured left to right: Director Brad Teague, Flight Instructor Joe Fritz, Flight Instructor Silas Stanton, Flight Instructor Cole Dobson, Cadet Grace Wang, Cadet Hayden Cianessi, Cadet Alexis Lanning, Cadet Alex Pepi, Cadet Lauren Stevenson, Cadet Norberto Maldonado, Cadet Mikala Urenda, Cadet Jacob Sarter, Flight Instructor Chloe Parkis, Central Flying Academy Customer Service Rep Rhiannon Umfleet, Chief Flight Instructor Mark Valenzuella
