Laura Rusnok

After earning the first Aviation Logistics degree awarded by the University of North Texas, former TCC graduate Laura Rusnok is ready to soar to the sky.

Rusnok earned her Associate of Arts in Business at Tarrant County College in 2008. She then went on to UNT in Denton, graduating in December 2010, from the university's newly created Aviation Logistics Program. The curriculum focuses on transporting passengers and cargo via air in an efficient manner.

"I decided at 16 that I was going to be a pilot, so when I was first researching universities I was looking to go to an out-of-state flight program," Rusnok said. "I realized that those programs weren't right for me because they were so expensive, so I decided to get an education that focused on the business aspect rather than technical training for the cockpit."

Rusnok chose TCC for her foundation because it fit her budget, had a wide range of classes and schedules to pick from, was a short commute and offered many educational resources. These qualities helped her manage her time and graduate in two years while working two part-time jobs. Because she came from a sheltered private high school, Rusnok said she enjoyed TCC's diversity of people, cultures and ages.

"When I transferred to UNT and heard whispers about an aviation program, I was worried that my credits wouldn't transfer, but UNT actually accepted all my courses. My transition. . .was effortless because TCC prepared me for the tougher university environment."

Rusnok is actively searching for a job in the aviation industry and hopes her role as a pacesetter in aviation education will set her apart from the bunch. Her ultimate goal is to become a corporate pilot.

-By Pamela Smith