Celebrating 50 Years of Aviation: Alumni Feature - Elizabeth Wichmann (C'05)

Elizabeth Wichmann (C'05) has always had a fascination with aviation. Growing up, she had the opportunity to fly with some family friends, but it wasn't until she visited the University of Dubuque's flight center that it became a passion for her.

While pursuing her dreams in the aviation field, Wichmann had the opportunity to participate in many extracurricular activities including softball, tennis, Greek Life, and the UD Flight Team.

"UD and the aviation program gave me the foundation I needed and allowed me to build a network of people in the aviation world," Wichmann said.

After graduating from UD with a degree in aviation management, Wichmann began working in airport operations at South Bend Regional Airport in South Bend, Indiana. She then moved on to become an airfield operations supervisor at Capital City Airport in Lansing, Michigan. Wichmann's career with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) started in Waterloo, Iowa, where she worked as a controller before transferring to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and climbing the ranks to operations supervisor. In 2022, Wichmann became the first female air traffic control manager for the FAA at the Cedar Rapids Air Traffic Control Tower. She also manages the FAA Control Tower each summer during the Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture Oshkosh in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

For Wichmann, the UD aviation program is where it all began. She is grateful for the opportunity to have experienced aviation as a Spartan and is passionate about helping other future aviators. When not managing the airspace, Wichmann is involved in the aviation community, working with local groups to promote Air Traffic and Women in Aviation. Additionally, she collaborates closely with Kirkwood Community College to arrange high school job shadow opportunities.

When asked what advice she would give students aspiring to work in the aviation industry, Wichmann shared that building relationships and networking is vital. In fact, she credits the relationship she built with her UD academic advisor, Kevin Foley (C'93, MBA'02), for guiding her in her career path.

"After graduation, I continued to keep in touch with Foley," Wichmann said. "While I was working airport operations at the South Bend Regional Airport, we were discussing growth potential in my career field. Foley brought to my attention the idea of air traffic control and that they were opening public bids. He thought it would be a good fit for me and was very encouraging. I gave it a shot and here I am 16 years later, the manager of the air traffic control tower in Cedar Rapids, Iowa."

Blue Skies and Tailwinds, Spartans - see you at Homecoming 2024, October 3-5!