Alumni
We are so proud of our alumni who have diversified the industry, excelling in areas from commercial aviation and airport administration to air traffic control. They have built successful, meaningful careers and continue to lead the future of flight through their skill, dedication, and passion. Our alumni highlight the lasting impact of our program and pride of our Home by the Sea as a distinguished HBCU.
As all HBCUs across the nation, our graduates prove that when given the opportunity, support, and rigorous education, they go on to excel, innovate, and elevate.
The Hampton six
Tirrell Listenbee
Captain Tirrell Listenbee is from Garner, North Carolina and he graduated in 1997 as an Ogre Phi Ogre. He flew for Continental Airlines and then merged with United.
Gabrielle Harding '97
Captain Gabrielle Harding is from Delaware, and she graduated in 1997 as an Ogre Phi Ogre. She flies as a Captain for the Boeing 737 at United where she has also flown the 777 and 787. Captain Harding has made history as one of just two black line check pilots at United, and America’s only Black woman commercial pilot from an HBCU pilot program. She also remarkably lead an all-female flight crew from Newark to Sarasota Airport in 2024.
David Simpson '98
Captain David Simpson was born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland, and he graduated in 1998 as Quintessence with honors and three CFI ratings. He instructed for a year until he was hired by Mesaba Airlines (Northwest Airlink). He flew for Continental Airlines and then merged with United Airlines where he has flown the Boeing 737, 757, 767, and 777.
Kyle Whitaker '99
Captain Kyle Whitaker is from Maryland and graduated in 1999 as Onyx. He flew for Continental Airlines, Independence Air, and Piedmont Airlines before joining United where he has worked for more than 14 years.
Donovan Burns
Captain Donovan Burns graduated with his CFI rating and earned his commission through the Navy ROTC program as an Ensign. He instructed for the U.S. Navy and the Royal New Zealand Air Force, until he returned to serve for the U.S. Coast Guard for five and a half years. Burns went on to fly for United Airlines where he flew the 737, 757, and 767 out of Los Angeles.
Burns also serves as a CFI for Giving Kids Wings Flight Academy (GKWFA) , allowing young people to reach their dreams.
Darnel Duckett '98
Darnel Duckett is from Guam and graduated in 1998 as Quintessence. He flies for United.
Notable mentions
John Williams '96
Captain John Williams is from Virginia, and he graduated in 1996 as Onyx. He now flies on the Airbus A320 at United.
Ray Cooper '11
Captain Ray Cooper, MBA, is from Dallas, Texas, and graduated in 2011 with his three CFI ratings. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as a Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Pilot. He then went on to earn his Masters at LSU Shreveport in 2021, and taught at Baylor University. From there, he instructed students for a year until he joined Medway Air Ambulance, where he now flies as a Captain for the Lear Jet 45.
Shanice Wormley '18
Lieutenant Shanice S. Wormley is a Maryland native; she graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Flight Education and earned her commission through the Navy ROTC.
She serves as a Naval Flight Officer in the U.S. Navy. She has flown more than 870 hours in the P-8A Poseidon to support the Commander Task Force (CTF) 57, CTF-67, and CTF-32. She is decorated with the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various unit and campaign awards.
Recent Graduates
Seeing is believing, and our more recent alumni from the past five years are already making their mark in the industry. Their achievements and milestones inspire current students and affirm what’s possible with dedication, training, and passion.
Ellis Woodyard '23
Ellis Woodyard is from Raleigh, North Carolina, and graduated in 2023 as an Ogre Phi Ogre and a student athlete. He instructed at Rick Aviation until he was hired by Endeavor Air as a First Officer and Pilot Recruiter where he flies the CRJ-900.
Tavis Garlington '23
Tavis Garlington is from North Carolina and his journey at the Jim Shaw ACE Academy where he was bitten by the aviation bug. He graduated in 2023 as an Ogre Phi Ogre with two CFI ratings. Garlington served as a Captain for the Air Pirates, the NIFA team, in his undergraduate years. He went on to instruct at Rick Aviation until he was hired by Endeavor Air as a First Officer where he flies the CRJ-900.
Attention all Hampton Aviation alumni! We want to celebrate you! Please fill out this questionnaire so we can feature you and hopefully help students connect with you.
