Student Spotlight: Joanne Dia

For Joanne Dia, aviation wasn't always the plan. Although she loved airplanes from a young age, pursuing a career as a pilot wasn't her first choice. However, as she prepared to commit to a college, she realized her passion for aviation and decided to take the leap toward becoming a pilot.

Outside of the classroom and flight training, Joanne stays actively involved on campus. She serves as Vice President of Kappa Kappa Psi (KKP), is the social media manager for the UNO Curling Club, participates in the UNO Swim Club, and is a member of Women in Aviation International (WAI).

One of Joanne's favorite experiences during her time at UNO Aviation was attending the Women in Aviation International Conference, where she had the opportunity to meet Pilot Avabelle and connect with aviation professionals and students from across the industry.

Looking ahead, Joanne hopes to serve in the United States Air Force and pursue a career flying for the military. After graduation, her goal is to combine her passion for aviation with a commitment to service by becoming an Air Force pilot.

For incoming aviation students, Joanne's advice is simple: "Just be yourself and put in effort in everything you do." She believes authenticity, dedication, and hard work can open doors to countless opportunities.

Fun fact: When she's not studying or flying, Joanne is a big basketball geek and enjoys keeping up with the game whenever she can.