Five University of Nebraska at Omaha aviation students and three alumni attended the 2026 LPA Aerospace Industry Expo in Orlando, Florida, on Sept. 17–18. The event offered opportunities to hear from industry speakers, build valuable professional connections and explore career paths across aviation and aerospace.
A highlight for the UNO group was student Maria Juan receiving a $10,000 scholarship from Latino Professionals in Aerospace (LPA). For Juan, the recognition made an already memorable experience especially meaningful.
“Receiving the LPA scholarship was an incredible honor and made this year’s Expo especially meaningful to me,” Juan said.
Juan currently holds her Private Pilot Certificate and is working toward completing her Instrument Rating. The scholarship will help cover a portion of her flight training costs as she continues pursuing additional ratings and certificates. Her long-term goal is to become an airline pilot and use her experience to mentor other students, particularly women and Latino students who may not always see themselves represented in aviation.
Presented by United Airlines, the expo brought together 16 participating airlines and 65 exhibitors. UNO students and alumni had opportunities to connect with recruiters, attend speaker sessions and learn from professionals at different stages of their careers. These experiences provided insight into the industry and helped attendees build connections as they considered their next steps.
For Juan, volunteering with LPA was another highlight. It gave her an opportunity to contribute to the event while learning more about the career opportunities available throughout the industry. She also met former United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz and LPA President and United Airlines Captain Claudia Zapata-Cardone. Hearing about their experiences and meeting accomplished aviation leaders left her feeling inspired and motivated.
Beyond the professional opportunities, Juan said her favorite part of the expo was its sense of community and representation. As a Latina pursuing a career as a professional pilot, seeing people with similar backgrounds achieving the goals she is working toward reinforced her sense of belonging in aviation.
“The LPA Expo reminded me that aviation is not only about where we are going, but also about the people who help us get there,” Juan said. “Seeing Latino professionals leading in this industry motivated me to keep working toward my goals and, one day, help open doors for the next generation.”
LPA is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring, developing and supporting Latinos across aviation and aerospace. Through scholarships, mentorship, professional development and industry partnerships, the organization helps aspiring professionals advance their careers while building a community of support.
For UNO’s students and alumni, the expo offered a meaningful opportunity to learn, connect and find inspiration for the road ahead. UNO Aviation congratulates Juan on her scholarship and is proud of the Mavericks who represented the university at this year’s event.
The LPA Expo reminded me that aviation is not only about where we are going, but also about the people who help us get there”
