Embry-Riddle Graduate Comes Full Circle as Worldwide Campus Instructor

Before Dr. Wesley Torres (’15, ’17) imagined he’d be an instructor, he chose to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University because of its excellent reputation and global recognition in the competitive aviation industry. As a busy professional, the Worldwide & Online Campus gave him the flexibility he required, and now, he’s come full circle as an adjunct instructor on that same campus.

The graduate programs Torres chose combined his military, aviation industry and business experience. The Master of Business Administration in Aviation (MBAA) broadened his understanding of aviation strategy, finance, operations and leadership, while the Master of Science in Project Management (MSPM) sharpened his ability to turn strategy into action.

“From both an academic and professional perspective, I was inspired to pursue an MBAA and an MSPM because I wanted to strengthen the connection between operational experience, business strategy and disciplined project execution,” he said. “Throughout my career in aviation, information technology, supply chain management and military operations, I saw firsthand that technical expertise alone is not enough to lead complex organizations successfully.”

For Torres, a rigorous business education with an aviation focus helped validate his experience while broadening his understanding of the industry.

“While I was working for American Airlines, one of the world's largest airlines, I wanted my academic credentials to reflect the same level of professional skill, industry expertise and name recognition expected in a highly competitive global aviation environment,” he said. “Most importantly, the programs helped me translate years of operational experience into a broader strategic perspective.”

Mentorship Shapes Aviation Leadership

As a student at Embry-Riddle, Torres found a support system that shaped his academic and professional growth. His professors brought industry experience into the classroom, encouraged him to think beyond his own operational background and challenged him to approach problems like a leader.

“Knowing that I could reach out to my professors for guidance, clarification or support truly shaped my growth and made the academic experience more personal and meaningful,” he said. “My peers were equally important, bringing diverse professional experiences and viewpoints that challenged my assumptions and expanded the way I approached complex issues.”

After completing his master’s degrees and drawing on his service in the U.S. Army, Torres pursued a Doctor of Business Administration to examine complex organizational problems through research and evidence-based decision making.

Torres credits Associate Professor Dr. Michael Santonino’s mentorship with helping him recognize the value of doctoral-level study and the ways his military and professional experience could contribute to research, leadership and academia.

“Dr. Wes Torres and I have enjoyed the tree of knowledge, communication and human connection before and after his Embry-Riddle graduation,” Santonino said.

A Full-Circle Return to Embry-Riddle Worldwide

Joining the Worldwide Campus College of Business as an adjunct faculty member, Torres has come full circle. Where once he was a student, he now returns as an instructor, teaching the graduate-level aviation management course AVMG 612, Airline Operations.

“What makes the role especially meaningful to me is the opportunity to bring together my professional experience in aviation, technology, supply chain, project management and military leadership with my academic background and research interests,” he said.

For Torres, teaching is an opportunity to mentor students and challenge them to think critically about topics from operational reliability, labor relations and disruption recovery to safety, profitability and organizational resilience.

“Embry-Riddle played an important part in my own academic and professional development,” he said. “Now, I have the opportunity to contribute to that same learning environment as a faculty member.”

Heather Rozar-Bergmann, director of Embry-Riddle’s Rothwell Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, was instrumental in preparing him for his new teaching role. He also credits Department of Management faculty Dr. Aaron Glassman, associate professor and chair, and Dr. Daisha Merritt, assistant professor and associate chair, for helping him reach this chapter.

Helping Students Turn Experience into Leadership

As an instructor, Torres wants students to connect knowledge with purpose, judgment and practical application.

“I want them to understand that academic success is important, but the greater value comes from being able to take what they learn and apply it to complex professional challenges with confidence, integrity and sound decision making,” he said.

Many Worldwide students arrive with military training, technical expertise, leadership experience and professional insight.

“I want to help my students unleash the full potential they already bring to the classroom,” he said. “I also want them to leave the classroom as stronger leaders and decision makers who understand that their experience, combined with education, can become a powerful platform for what comes next.”

Leadership Across Military, Aviation and Academic Settings

Torres’ leadership experience spans the military and aviation industry. Each setting reinforced that effective leadership is built on trust, accountability, clear communication and a commitment to helping others perform their best work.

His time in the U.S. Army established a foundation of discipline, adaptability, teamwork and responsibility for both mission accomplishment and the people entrusted to him. Later, working in complex airline environments reinforced the importance of leading through change, uncertainty and organizational complexity.

“Academia has added another dimension to my leadership philosophy,” he said. “As an instructor and mentor, leadership becomes less about providing the answer and more about helping others recognize their own capabilities, think critically and develop the confidence to move forward.”

For Torres, one leadership principle has remained constant: deliver results, develop people and leave an organization stronger than he found it.

“My goal is to help students recognize the value of their experiences, connect them with academic theory and transform that foundation into something even greater, whether that means advancing into senior leadership, changing careers, pursuing additional education or creating new opportunities to serve.”