Ten Rock Valley College Aviation Maintenance Technology students were recently named as AAR CORP. Fellows. The AAR EAGLE Fellowship Program, part of AAR’s Eagle Career Pathway Program, provides recipients tuition assistance and the opportunity to work at AAR’s Rockford MRO facility while completing their Airframe and Powerplant program at Rock Valley College.

The students recognized include:

Class of 2022

• Blayden Colwell, South Beloit, IL
• Ruben Salinas, Jr., Rockford, IL
• James Scribner, Genoa, IL
• Jeffrey Penny, Aurora, IL

Class of 2023

• Alex Kern, Rockford, IL
• Alex McCraney-King, Rockford, IL
• Aaron Olvera, Rockford, IL
• Christian Roggensack, Loves Park, IL
• Quentin Shimmins, Rockford, IL
• Joel Todd, Rockford, IL

Rock Valley College students were excited to be honored during a small private ceremony recently. Jeffrey Penny was one of the students in attendance. “This fellowship with AAR is an amazing opportunity and I am very grateful to have been chosen,” Penny said. “The fact that I will be graduating with no debt and have a job lined up has relieved a lot of stress, allowing me to focus more on my education. I look forward to furthering my knowledge and experience through my career at AAR.”

The partnership between RVC and AAR has flourished this year. “Our partnership is truly an example for others to follow. AAR kept coming back to the table time and again as we explored mutually beneficial ways to grow our organizations. We are so grateful for this opportunity that they have created for our students,” said RVC Associate Vice President of Early College and Technical Programs Gina Caronna.

“We are the largest aircraft maintenance provider in the U.S., and we are number three in the world. When you step into AAR, you’re not just stepping into Rockford, but you’re stepping into the ocean of opportunities to grow; to make your career within a large company with approximately 5,000 employees,” said Dany Kleiman, AAR Group Vice President for Repair & Engineering.

For more information about RVC’s Aviation Technology program, visit www.rockvalleycollege.edu/aviation.

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