Over the last 10 months, I have been asked, often, what it is like to oversee the AE School - an institution with a daunting legacy in research, teaching, and industry innovation.

As we end the 2019 academic year, one answer suggests itself:

I am not alone.

The Daniel Guggenheim School is teeming with leaders - students, faculty, and staff  -- who are working with me daily to promote innovation and ambition in our School culture. I am reminded of this  every month when I hold Open Office Hours with undergraduates, grad students, and research engineers.Their frank feedback on the state of the AE School gives me new insight and inspiration for my work.

I am similarly impressed with 'homegrown initiatives' like the Ben T. Zinn Combustion Symposium and the ASDL External Advisory Board meeting -- two annual events that showcase the incredible research being done by students in collaboration with faculty and industry experts. There is no doubt in my mind that the future of this discipline is in good hands with these energetic researchers on board.

So, yes, I am not alone in leading the AE School during a propitious time in our history. 

I am also not the only one who notices the wealth of talent that is the AE School. The Vertical Flight Society has recently voted in Prof. Marilyn Smith for a second term s the Southern Regional Director.

And my colleague Prof. Mitchell Walker was recently selected as one of 84 members of the 2020 Class for Leadership Atlanta, a diverse group of leaders from education, law, nonprofit, technology, media, healthcare, politics and government.

I'm not alone.
I'm in great company.