Hosted at the flight school’s state-of-the-art facility, the workshop was developed through a series of collaborative discussions between the COHP’s Center for Wellness in the Arts, flight school leadership and insights gathered from flight students themselves. The result? A thoughtfully curated lineup of wellness sessions, designed to address the unique demands faced by student aviators and elevate their performance, similar to how collegiate athletes train for peak readiness.
Four keynote speakers from the COHP shared impactful, science-backed strategies to help aviation students navigate stress, maintain physical and mental health and improve overall focus in high-stakes environments:
- Dr. Tim Bender (Nutrition and Dietetics) presented “Breaking the Nutrition Barrier”
- Dr. Brandon Jones (Exercise Science) led “Aviation Athlete Performance”
- Dr. Elizabeth Pacioles (Health Sciences) spoke on “Flying with Focus: Psychological Strategies for Enhanced Performance”
- Dr. Robert Powell (Exercise Science) delivered “Take Flight with Fitness”
- Dr. Gary E. Mcilvain (Exercise Science) delivered “Aerospace Physiology”
With a turnout of 120–150 students, the event not only drew strong interest but also opened meaningful conversations on wellness as a core component of aviation training. In a unique format feature, Dr. Pacioles developed a live survey tool that allowed students to anonymously ask questions during the event. This approach fostered real-time dialogue and concluded in an interactive panel discussion that addressed students’ pressing concerns.
Dr. Brandon Jones played a pivotal role in organizing the event’s logistics, ensuring smooth transitions between speakers. Meanwhile, Chief of Aviation Operations Nancy Ritter and her team at the flight school were lauded for their warm hospitality and support throughout the day.
“This initiative is a wonderful example of how our university fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance student success,” said Dr. Gary McIlvain, associate dean of student affairs for the COHP. “We hope to build on this momentum and expand wellness training for pilots in future semesters.”
The workshop marked a new chapter in health education at Marshall and underscored the power of partnerships across academic disciplines. By applying the science of wellness to the art of flight, the College of Health Professions and the Bill Noe Flight School are creating safer, healthier skies—one pilot at a time.