The First Graduates of Embry‑Riddle and USNCC Partnership Programs Share Their Experience

Through a continued partnership with the U.S. Naval Community College (USNCC), Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University offers exclusive opportunities for active-duty members of the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve to pursue associate degrees.

This partnership allows service people to gain credentials that are relevant to both their military career and civilian life after enlistment.

This spring, the first group of USNCC students ever are graduating from their programs at Embry‑Riddle — a feat that is a testament to their hard work, dedication and drive to succeed. Among these graduates are Nicholas Holst, Robert Fenwick III and Samuel Keldie, who all said that the opportunity has set them on a path to greater learning and success.

Earning an A.S. in Aviation Maintenance

Nicholas Holst (’25) completed his A.S. in Aviation Maintenance in March 2025 — a degree he chose because of its real-world applicability and correlation to his career. He says the degree helped him gain a better understanding of where his career intersects with the aviation technicians and maintainers he interacted with in the Navy.

Holst cites the highlight of his experience as being able to interact with faculty and advisors. “There are a lot of faculty who are, or were, in the military, and it was always great to hear their stories,” he said.

Going forward, Holst will continue his education, pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Pennsylvania as he completes his Navy enlistment in 2027. As one of the first graduates of the USNCC program at Embry‑Riddle, he notes his degree laid the groundwork for his journey moving forward.

“It feels amazing,” he said. “I’m happy to have this under my belt, but it also feels like another set of doors has opened, and I am ready to tackle my next challenge.”

More in Maintenance

Robert Fenwick III (’25) also recently completed his A.S. in Aviation Maintenance through the USNCC and Embry‑Riddle partnership.

“The partnership between Embry‑Riddle and the USNCC made enrolling much more accessible and convenient,” he said. “Knowing that the program was designed with service members in mind made a huge difference in my decision.”

Fenwick says he chose the program because of its alignment with my experience and career path in the Navy as an aviation electronics technician.

“It gives me the opportunity to deepen my knowledge and open up more opportunities both during and after my military service,” he said.

He cites a highlight of his experience as the support and resources offered by Embry‑Riddle, saying, “Balancing active-duty responsibilities with school isn't easy, but the faculty and advisors at Embry‑Riddle have made it possible and genuinely care about student success.”

Fenwick also says this degree is a “key step” in his plans for the future. He aims to continually advance in the aviation industry, whether in military service or in a civilian career. With a degree from a leading aeronautical educator, he’s on the right path.

“It’s a great honor and a proud moment,” he shared regarding his degree completion. “Being part of the first group to go through the USNCC program and nearing the finish line feels like I’m contributing to something meaningful and paving the way for future Sailors.”

Learn more about this degree.

Pursuing an A.S. in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems

Samuel Keldie earned his A.S. in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems, stating that the curriculum lined up with his personal and professional goals.

“I am currently in the Coast Guard on the aviation side, and I strongly believe that large, high-endurance drones will play a large part in the Coast Guard’s future,” he said.

Keldie says a major highlight was being able to utilize the skills and knowledge he gained through firsthand experience in the Coast Guard in his courses, and vice versa — a major plus of earning a degree in a highly applicable field.

“It really helped make the courses stick and helped tie everything together,” said Keldie.

He also highlighted the accessibility to expert faculty for guidance.

“The instructors I had in my courses were all very helpful and were very easy to reach out to,” Kedlie said. “It made my courses go much smoother knowing that any questions I had would be quickly answered.”

Keldie says that earning this degree is “really exciting,” but his ambition doesn’t end here.

“I would love to use the knowledge I gained from these courses to help the Coast Guard’s drone programs,” he shared. “I am also interested in continuing my education, with hopes of earning a bachelor's degree."

Explore this program. 

Opportunities Expand With the USNCC

In addition to the degrees in Aviation Maintenance Science and Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems, Embry‑Riddle partners with the USNCC to offer programs spanning various naval-relevant fields.

The A.S. in Emergency Management prepares students to prevent, reduce and respond to crisis situations using a whole-community approach, emphasizing the National Response Framework (NRF) and the Incident Command System (ICS).

The A.S. in Engineering Fundamentals is designed for students who have an interest in building a foundation in engineering — providing opportunities to grow their technical skillset, address scientific challenges, solve problems with mathematics principles and more.

With consistent rankings among the best for veterans by the U.S. News & World Report, and now named the Top Online Program in the Nation in the Military Friendly® Schools ranking, Embry‑Riddle’s Worldwide Campus continues to prove its commitment to military-affiliated students. This recognition reflects the university’s ongoing investment in providing accessible, high-quality education for those who serve

We can’t wait to see where our USNCC program graduates go from here. If you are interested in these programs, visit the USNCC website to learn more and apply.