Investing in the Future of Aviation
North Texas is one of the nation’s most dynamic aviation regions, and Tarrant County College is helping prepare the skilled professionals who will keep it moving. Through partnerships with industry leaders Embraer and GE Aerospace, the TCC Foundation is connecting students with the financial support, advanced training and industry exposure they need to move from the classroom into high-demand aviation careers.
Embraer
The Embraer Foundation’s $25,000 grant helps students cover the cost of required Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification exams. The aviation company also is developing a new maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at Alliance Airport, which is expected to employ 500 aviation maintenance technicians.
Erika Zavala Rodriguez
After more than 15 years working in aviation, Erika is preparing for the next stage of her career. Her experience spans flight planning, ramp control and ground operations, and she already holds an FAA aircraft dispatcher certificate. Now, she is completing her A&P certification at TCC with plans to transition into aircraft maintenance. For Erika, completing her education also carries personal significance: She hopes to become the first college graduate in her family and build a career that will one day allow her to support the mother who worked so hard for her.
Matthias Luke Psenick
Matthias is building his aviation career through a combination of education, technical training and hands-on leadership. While completing his A&P ratings at TCC, he also is nearing completion of a bachelor’s degree in aviation science, with a focus on aviation maintenance management. As team lead for TCC’s Aerospace Maintenance Council competition team, Matthias helped lead the group to a third-place international school finish. He sees scholarship support as foundational to his future, helping him complete the certifications required to enter the aviation maintenance workforce and make a meaningful contribution to the industry.
Cynthia Kopec
Cynthia moved from Massachusetts to Texas in 2023 with a specific goal: Earn her A&P certification and help keep historic aircraft flying. A founding member of the Commemorative Air Force’s New England Wing, Cynthia now volunteers with its B-29/B-24 Squadron, working on the legendary B-29 Fifi and B-24 Diamond Lil and traveling with their living-history tours. Her passion for aviation maintenance is inseparable from her love of history. By completing her A&P training at TCC, Cynthia hopes to preserve these aircraft so future generations can experience and learn from them.
Ryan Ortega
After more than seven years in the aviation industry, Ryan Ortega still feels the same excitement he experienced watching aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and MD-11 take flight. That fascination inspired him to pursue a career working directly on airplanes and ultimately brought him to TCC. Graduation will mark an important milestone in a journey built on years of hard work, industry experience and continued learning. Ryan sees his financial award as more than assistance with the cost of his education.
GE Aerospace Foundation
A $250,000 workforce development grant from the GE Aerospace Foundation is providing exam assistance, professional toolsets and access to advanced Airbus A320 NEO training technology. The partnership also includes internship opportunities designed to connect students directly with the aviation industry.
Firas Ahmed
Firas’ path to aviation has been shaped by resilience, curiosity and a desire to build a more hands-on career. After moving from England to the United States with his mother in 2011, he watched her work tirelessly to create new opportunities for their family. Firas later gained experience in higher education, sales and mortgage banking before discovering aviation maintenance. Drawn to the field’s precision, discipline and technical demands, he is now focused on building a career that matches both his strengths and ambitions. Scholarship support is helping him devote more time and attention to completing that goal.
Cambrian Fleck
Cambrian is bringing three years of automotive mechanic experience into TCC’s Aviation Maintenance program. His background has strengthened his troubleshooting and technical skills while reinforcing his interest in complex mechanical systems. Cambrian’s goal is to work on commercial aircraft and help ensure the safety and reliability of every plane he maintains. He is currently preparing for his oral and practical exams and working toward his A&P certification. Support from GE Aerospace Foundation is helping him focus more fully on completing the program and moving into the aviation career he has been working toward.
Regan Elise Brownfield
Regan’s interest in building and problem-solving started early and grew through coding, robotics and STEM coursework. During high school, she developed skills in design, engineering and technical documentation before interning with Gulfstream, where she discovered a passion for aircraft systems. Regan is now pursuing her A&P certification at TCC and hopes to one day help improve and redesign aircraft that support the nation’s military. Scholarship support has strengthened her determination to continue in aviation and her desire to encourage more women to see themselves in technical careers.
Updated November 09, 2026