Officers

Ella Hedman is a Commercial Aviation student with a minor in Leadership from Elizabeth, Colorado. She realized she wanted to pursue aviation after completing a job shadow at the United training center, where she was drawn to the training environment and the role instructors play in shaping safe, confident pilots. Now a flight instructor at the University of North Dakota, Ella is passionate about teaching and mentoring students as they build skill, decision-making, and professionalism in the cockpit. This is Ella's third and final semester on the SAAC council, and she is excited to keep supporting students and the Aerospace College. Ella remains actively involved on campus through her work in the Aerospace Dean's Office. Outside of aviation, Ella enjoys running, skiing, reading, spending time with friends, and being outdoors.

Nawin Bravo is a junior from New York City, majoring in Commercial Aviation, Aviation Management, and Aviation Safety & Operations, with a specialization in Business Aviation. Growing up in an aviation-saturated area with LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark Airport nearby, he developed a passion for aviation at an early age, inspired by the constant movement of aircraft and the impact of air travel on connecting people and places worldwide. He serves as an Aircraft Dispatcher at UND Flight Operations and an Ambassador for the Aerospace Dean's Office, where he helps represent and support UND Aerospace. Beyond his studies and professional roles, he enjoys discovering new restaurants and taking spontaneous trips. As a SAAC council member, he is committed to contributing to the growth and excellence of UND Aerospace and fostering a strong community of future aviation professionals. As he progresses in his career, Nawin hopes to fly for Delta Air Lines and is looking forward to seeing where his aviation journey will take him. Don't hesitate to say hello if you see him around!

Lucas de Jager serves as Secretary of the Student Aerospace Advisory Council, where he supports council operations, maintains records, and facilitates communication across initiatives. He is the founder of First Generation Pilots and previously served as President of the Aviation Safety Association, and Director of Industry Relations on the council. Nearing completion of two degrees, Lucas has studied a wide range of aerospace-related topics and brings a strong leadership and industry-focused perspective to his role.

Logan Harden is a junior from Fontana, California, and a Commercial Aviation Fixed-Wing major, Atmospheric Sciences minor, and is enrolled in the honors program. His interest in aviation began with an EAA Young Eagles flight when he was twelve. Before touching back down, he had already caught the flying bug and eventually earned his PPL junior year of high school. Logan enjoys teaching, volunteering, helping others, is a math tutor, and hopes to eventually be a flight instructor at the airlines. Besides SAAC, he is the president of AESOP and a member of the aerobatics, EAA and tennis clubs. Outside of aviation, Logan enjoys lifting weights, cooking, go-karting, snowboarding, and spending time with friends and family.

Cooper Hodgdon is a sophomore from Cooperstown, New York, majoring in Commercial Aviation with a specialization in Aviation Safety. During his first semester on the council, he will be serving as the Director of Technology. He will dedicate his time to updating and displaying the councils reach online, keeping information on the website current and accurate. He currently is involved in numerous different clubs in the aerospace college including the Student Aviation Management Association (SAMA), where he serves as the Event Coordinator and plans and executes events for club members. He also is an active member of ALPA-ACE and the Aerospace Business Club. His passion for aviation stems from his parents taking him to fly-in breakfasts at the local grass strip in his town. He took his first discovery flight at the age of 13 and never looked back from there. Outside of school he enjoys hiking, downhill skiing, travelling, lifting, and spending time with friends and family. In the future Cooper plans to pursue a career in professional flight.

Evan Danek is a freshman majoring in Commercial Aviation from Houston, Texas. As the Director of Public Relations this semester, Evan hopes to improve outreach, student engagement, and communication within the Aerospace College. Evan's passion for aviation began after earning the Aviation Merit Badge through the Boy Scouts, and he earned his PPL as a senior in high school. Outside of SAAC, he is involved in Alpha Eta Rho, the Speech and Debate team, and residence hall leadership. In his free time, Evan enjoys lifting and running at the Wellness Center, listening to music, and snowboarding. He is passionate about service, leadership, and creating meaningful connections across the UND community.

Franka Boesch is a sophomore from Rochester, Minnesota, majoring in Commercial Aviation with a specialization in Aviation Safety. As the Director of Public Relations this semester she hopes to continue to expand and improve upon the Collegiate Mentorship Program (CMP) to continue guiding and assisting freshman in the aerospace college. Franka's passion for aviation began when she was young going on many international trips with her family, which created a deep love for both travel and flying. These experiences sparked her to go on her first discovery flight and, inevitably pursue a career as a pilot after that. After graduating, Franka hopes to become a pilot for Alaska Airlines and continue to travel the world. Outside of SAAC, Franka is involved in the Aerospace Business Club, serving as the social media manager. She is also involved in SAMA, ALPA, and WAI. In her free time, she enjoys music, reading, traveling, and anything outdoors.

Diana (Frankie) Samuels is a junior from Tomah, Wisconsin, majoring in Commercial Aviation. She is heavily involved in campus leadership, serving as the Director of Programming for the Student Aerospace Advisory Committee (SAAC) and as an Event Coordinator for UND Women in Aviation. In these roles, she works to plan engaging events, support student involvement, and strengthen the community within the UND aviation program. Diana's passion for aviation began through her love of travel, which took her to places such as the Philippines and Italy at a young age. These experiences inspired her pursuit of a career in aviation. She aspires to fly for a legacy airline in the future and plans to gain experience as a bush pilot in Alaska after graduating from UND. Outside the classroom, Diana is an active member of the UND Powerlifting Club and enjoys staying active, cooking, and spending time outdoors. Through her leadership roles, she is committed to making UND a more engaging, inclusive, and enjoyable place to study and live. She looks forward to serving and advocating for the student body.

Lucius Birkholz serves as the Director of Industry Relations on the Student Aerospace Advisory Council at the University of North Dakota, where he leads industry engagement and coordinates the development of the Industry Mentorship Program in partnership with the Aerospace Alumni Advisory Board. He is the President of the Aerospace Business Club and former Vice President of the ALPA-ACE Club, actively connecting students with airline, corporate, and emerging aviation leaders through events, guest speakers, and conferences such as NBAA-BACE. Lucius is deeply involved in student advocacy and career development, and is excited to serve on SAAC to give back to the Aerospace College. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics (Commercial Aviation) and is nearing completion of his academic program. Outside of aviation, Lucius enjoys lifting weights, running, hiking, snowboarding, and travelling.

Zachary Hagengruber is a senior from Eugene, Oregon, majoring in Commercial Aviation. He will serve as a Spring 2026 SAAC Council Member, following two terms as SAAC Vice President. During his freshman year, Zachary was selected to work as both an Aerospace Physiology Assistant and an Aerospace Ambassador in the Dean's Office. Beyond SAAC, Zachary has been actively involved across the aerospace community, holding leadership roles such as Piper Brand Ambassador, Co-founder of the Aerospace Business Club (ABC), Treasurer of the Student Aviation Management Association (SAMA), and Secretary of the Aviation Safety Association (ASA). With aspirations to fly for the airlines, Zachary is eager to share his passion for aviation and to engage with students on questions, concerns, and ideas related to the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences.

Greyson Orne is a senior from Camden, Maine, majoring in Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Political Science. He is a Truman Scholar and hopes to use his UND education to pursue both a law degree and a career in national security and aviation policy. Outside of SAAC, Greyson has worked in Washington, D.C. on national security policy issues, and here in Grand Forks as an operations intern at the Northern Plains UAS Test Site. He further serves the UND student body as the Legislative Affairs Commissioner for Student Government. Greyson is excited to spend the next year working for the Aerospace College and bringing a UAS perspective to the council.