As an undergraduate engineering student at Embry-Riddle Worldwide, I have encountered numerous challenges in my academic journey that stem from poor course design and inconsistent professor engagement. Courses that should have been straightforward and enlightening were instead fraught with unnecessary difficulty, unclear expectations, and limited instructional support — all of which have hindered meaningful learning and progress.

Through my position as the AIAA Chair and in countless private discussions with fellow students, I have come to realize that these issues are not isolated to my own experience. Students across the board are facing similar struggles with the engineering courses at ERAU. The overwhelming consensus is that these problems are both widespread and systemic, affecting students’ ability to effectively learn and apply their knowledge.

To address these pervasive issues, I am proposing the establishment of an authorized volunteer student taskforce dedicated to reviewing and improving ERAU Worldwide engineering courses. This taskforce will be composed of students who bring firsthand experience and insights into the courses, and will work collaboratively with academic leadership to provide constructive, actionable recommendations.

Our Key Reform Priorities:
• Weekly Instruction: Every course should include at least one 30–60 minute video or live lecture per week to reinforce core concepts visually.
• Workload Reform: Limit courses to no more than 3 assignments per week, and no more than 1 assignment per week for lab courses.
• Authentic Faculty Engagement: Professors should post handwritten weekly announcements and provide meaningful, personalized feedback — not AI-generated or copy-pasted responses.
• Fair Grading Practices: Quizzes and exams should not make up more than 10-15% of the total grade, and should be based solely on material covered in homework, lectures, or discussions.
• Assessment Flexibility: Timed assessments should offer generous or unlimited completion windows to reduce unnecessary pressure.
• Improved Discussion Board Policy: Require one main post due Thursday and two replies due by Sunday. Discussion boards should remain viewable and accessible even after the deadline to promote ongoing learning.

The taskforce’s role will be to formally review course materials, grading structures, teaching tools, and professor practices — and offer practical, student-informed changes that enhance the learning experience while preserving ERAU’s high academic standards.

Implementing this student-led initiative will improve the consistency, fairness, and clarity of ERAU’s engineering courses. It will also empower students to take part in shaping their education and help bridge the gap between student needs and faculty expectations.

Join us in advocating for a stronger, smarter ERAU. Sign this petition to support the creation of a volunteer student taskforce that will lead real, lasting change in ERAU’s engineering program. Together, we can build a learning environment where every student has the tools, support, and structure they need to thrive.