Exploring The Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Student Union

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private university specializing in aviation and aerospace programs. It is based in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, and is the largest accredited university for aviation and aerospace education. The university's Mori Hosseini Student Union building is an iconic landmark at the front of the campus, inspired by the graceful flight of birds. The building's design reflects the university's mission and values, with an open, three-story atrium that fosters collaboration and interactive learning. The student union is a hub for social and academic activities, offering a variety of amenities and services to enhance the student experience.

The Mori Hosseini Student Union building's design and purpose

The Mori Hosseini Student Union is a building located at the front entrance of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's campus in Daytona Beach, Florida. The building was designed by ikon.5 architects and completed in 2018. It is named after Mori Hosseini, an alumnus of the university and a prominent Florida businessman and philanthropist. The building serves as a hub for student services and reflects the university's commitment to its students.

The design of the Mori Hosseini Student Union is inspired by the gracefulness of birds in flight, reflecting the university's mission and focus on teaching aviation and aerospace. The building's sweeping, avian-inspired form creates an iconic identity for the university and embodies the values of its students, including fearlessness, adventure, and discovery. The lighting design, created by Fisher Marantz Stone, accentuates the building's steel and glass exterior and transparency, reinforcing the concept of flight. The uplighting of the wing-like roof and struts creates the illusion that the 177,000-square-foot building is hovering above the ground.

The interior of the building features a three-story atrium that is open and filled with natural light. This atrium serves as an anchor for the surrounding social and learning spaces, including lounges, dining venues, group study rooms, career services, and the university library. These spaces are arranged in a flexible plan without walls, creating a "city within a city" that offers a variety of places for students to meet, study, and relax. The building also includes a multi-story amphitheater that overlooks the commons and building entry, as well as a rooftop terrace with views of the campus and Daytona Beach.

The construction of the Mori Hosseini Student Union presented several challenges due to its unique design. Barton Malow, the general contractor, worked closely with the design team to create a 3D model of the interior and identify potential issues. They collaborated with engineers to redesign the HVAC systems and address coordination issues with the miscellaneous metals, ensuring that the construction was completed on time and within budget.

The University's history and accreditation

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) is a private university with a focus on aviation and aerospace programs. It is based in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, in the United States. The university was founded at Lunken Field in Cincinnati in 1926 as a regional school for pilots and aircraft mechanics. On December 17, 1925, Talton Higbee Embry and John Paul Riddle founded the Embry–Riddle Company at Lunken Airport in Cincinnati, Ohio. In the spring of 1926, the company opened the Embry–Riddle School of Aviation. Following a merger with the Aviation Corporation (AVCO), the Embry–Riddle flying school was closed in 1930.

In 1959, Embry-Riddle became a nonprofit organization. The school was moved to Daytona Beach, Florida, in April 1965, preempting the announced closure of Tamiami Airport, where the school had been conducting its flight operations. Embry-Riddle expanded its programs of study and was awarded university status in 1968. It adopted the name Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University in 1970, the same year it started its international program. In 1978, it opened a second residential campus in Prescott, Arizona.

Today, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is the largest accredited university system specializing in aviation and aerospace, enrolling almost 31,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The university has expanded to include numerous online programs and academic programs offered at satellite locations, serving more than 22,000 students online and at 130 campuses, including more than 100 military bases. The largest worldwide location is the Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University Asia campus in Singapore.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is accredited as a level VI institution by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award degrees at the associate, bachelor, master's, and doctoral levels. All Embry-Riddle campuses are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges to award degrees at these levels. The university's programs in aviation maintenance, air traffic management, applied meteorology, aeronautical science, aerospace and occupational safety, flight operations, and airport management are accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). The business degree programs at ERAU-Prescott are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), which was founded in 1988 to focus on educational quality in business programs at U.S. institutions of higher learning.

The engineering degree programs at the Daytona Beach Campus are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (formerly the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology), under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Aerospace and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. ABET currently accredits some 2,900 programs at more than 600 colleges and universities nationwide. The Bachelor of Science degree program in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, and the Bachelor of Science degree program in Cyber Intelligence and Security is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of ABET. The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have designated Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott Campus as a NSA/DHS CAE-CD institution, with its degree programs in Cyber Intelligence and Security meeting their stringent criteria.

Aviation and aerospace programs

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private university with a focus on aviation and aerospace programs. It has campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, and is the largest accredited university specialising in these fields. The university has a long history in aviation education, dating back to its founding in 1926 as a school for pilots and aircraft mechanics.

The university offers a wide range of programs, including aviation maintenance, air traffic management, applied meteorology, aeronautical science, aerospace and occupational safety, flight operations, and airport management. These programs are accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Embry-Riddle also offers a rare Master of Business Administration in Aviation (MBA-A) program, which was ranked 74th best out of 250 online MBA programs in 2015.

The university's Prescott Campus is home to the Robertson Safety Institute (RSI), a research and development centre for safety education. The campus provides access to advanced resources, including the Robertson Crash Lab and the Aviation Safety and Security Archives. Additionally, the Prescott Campus offers short courses and corporate outreach programs related to safety.

Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach Campus, located adjacent to an international airport, has expanded its research areas to include engineering, cyber and homeland security, human factors, modelling and simulation, and business. The university's expertise and technologies are applied to a diverse range of fields, including space systems, high-performance vehicles, robotics, and alternative energy.

The university also offers online programs and has a global presence with its Worldwide Campus, established in 1970. This network includes more than 130 learning locations, including military bases and a virtual "online campus." The largest worldwide location is the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Asia campus in Singapore.

Embry-Riddle provides hands-on experience and a range of facilities for students, including a large fleet of instructional aircraft and aviation functions for those unable to attend residential campuses. The university is committed to advancing education and safety in the aviation and aerospace industries, fostering the next generation of professionals.

Student services and amenities

The Mori Hosseini Student Union at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is an iconic, four-story landmark building that serves as the "Center of Campus Life". Its design is inspired by the graceful flight of birds, reflecting the university's focus on aviation and aerospace. The building is located at the campus entrance, with a three-story atrium that creates an open, light-filled space. This space integrates social and learning environments, fostering collaboration and interaction among students.

The student union offers a wide range of services and amenities to enhance the student experience. The lower levels feature a food court, a Starbucks, a bookstore, and an outdoor terrace. There are also gaming areas, lounges, and an exhibit space for student art and photography displays. Additionally, the lower levels include a 900+ seat multipurpose events centre, interactive office spaces, and group study rooms, referred to as "imagination stations".

The upper levels of the student union house a modern library with technology-rich social areas, private study rooms, and collaborative workspaces. The library is encircled by lounges, dining venues, and group study rooms, creating a convenient and comprehensive learning environment. The building also includes career services, encouraging students to prepare for their future careers.

The student union's design encourages interaction and collaboration, with an accessible rooftop Flight Desk offering breathtaking views of the campus and Daytona Beach. The union's event centre hosts various events, fostering a sense of community and providing opportunities for students to socialise and network. Additionally, the union's proximity to the campus entrance makes it a convenient hub for students to access the services and amenities they need.

The University's ranking and reputation

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) is a private, nonprofit university specialising in aviation and aerospace programs. It is the largest accredited university for aviation and aerospace, with almost 31,000 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled. The university has a rich history in aviation, having been founded by Talton Higbee Embry and John Paul Riddle, who established the Embry–Riddle Company at Lunken Airport in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1925. The following year, the company opened the Embry–Riddle School of Aviation.

The university has an excellent reputation, with its programs in aviation maintenance, air traffic management, applied meteorology, aeronautical science, aerospace, and occupational safety, flight operations, and airport management accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). The university is also certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and, in 2014, became the first FAA-approved training provider for student airline certification in the US.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report, which, in 2024, placed it 5th in Overall Rank - Regional Universities (South) and gave it the number one spot for its Prescott Campus among Regional Colleges (West). The university also ranked highly for its engineering programs and overall quality. In 2016, U.S. News & World Report ranked Embry-Riddle first out of almost 300 Online Bachelor's Programs. Embry-Riddle's online programs continue to be recognised, with the university's Worldwide Campus, serving 22,000 students, ranked the best among private institutions in 2024.

The university's reputation for providing a high-quality education is further enhanced by its recognition for providing students with opportunities to apply their learning in real-world industry settings. Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach Campus tied for the 14th ranking in the Co-ops/Internships category in 2024, alongside Harvard University.

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