2025 Was a Year of Takeoff for the Urban Aviators Society

In 2025, the Urban Aviators Society continued building pathways for young people to explore aviation, STEAM, leadership, and future career opportunities. What began as a vision to inspire underserved and underrepresented youth has grown into a movement powered by students, families, volunteers, donors, and community partners who believe every young person deserves access to opportunity.

This year, we served more than 250 youth across Central Ohio through hands-on aviation and STEAM programming. From AeroSTEAM sessions and drone education to community events, airport experiences, scholarship moments, and new partnerships, 2025 reminded us why this work matters.

Our newly released 2025 Annual Report highlights the progress, people, and partnerships that helped move our mission forward.

A Few Highlights From 2025

This year, the Urban Aviators Society:

• Served 250+ youth across our programs and community events.

• Expanded AeroSTEAM programming across winter, spring, and fall sessions.

• Launched and grew Droneworks, including drone coding, flight instruction, and FAA Part 107 knowledge prep.

Joined the Academy of Model Aeronautics UAS4STEM Drone Challenge, giving youth a national platform to build teamwork, coding, problem-solving, and drone operation skills.

Celebrated a major student milestone when Gloire Mujanama, a UAS student, received a $20,000 scholarship from MLB player Austin Hays.

Earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency with Candid, the highest level of recognition for nonprofit accountability and openness.

Appeared in the documentary ESL, highlighting the power of community partnerships in serving immigrant and refugee families.

Welcomed support from partners including Wright-Patt Credit Union, Jet Access, Columbus State Community College, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, COSI, the Academy of Model Aeronautics, the Twin Rivers Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, Mu Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, and many others.

More Than Numbers

The numbers are important, but the real impact is seen in the voices of the students and families we serve.

Students told us, “we love these classes” and “we had fun, do we have to leave?”

Parents shared, “thank you, this is much needed for our kids” and “I wish you could do more classes.”

Those words remind us that aviation is more than airplanes, drones, and technology. For our youth, aviation becomes a doorway to confidence, curiosity, discipline, and possibility.

Looking Ahead

As we move into 2026, we are preparing to expand our reach even further. Our plans include launching ElevateHer Flight & STEAM Day, growing Droneworks, strengthening mentorship opportunities, and continuing to create accessible pathways into aviation and STEAM careers.

We are proud of what 2025 represented, but we know there is still more work to do.

Read the Full 2025 Annual Report

The full report shares a deeper look at our programs, community engagement, financial highlights, partners, student impact, and goals for the year ahead. We invite you to take a few minutes to read it and see how your support helped us create meaningful opportunities for young people across Central Ohio.

Read the 2025 Urban Aviators Society Annual Report and see how we are inspiring aviators, building innovators, and creating pathways for the next generation.

Join Us

Whether you are a donor, volunteer, educator, aviation professional, corporate partner, or community supporter, there is a place for you in this mission.

Together, we can help more young people discover what is possible when they are given access, exposure, mentorship, and a runway to their future.