Guest Lecturer
Jacquelyne Nichols, a major airline pilot and U.S. Marine Corps aviator, visited SSES to share her career journey and life lessons. She encouraged students to embrace lifelong learning with her philosophy of being a “sponge,” reminding them that every room is full of people they can learn from.
She explained the demanding academic path to becoming a pilot, highlighting the value of science and engineering studies. Her career has taken her around the world, giving her opportunities to experience new cultures, food, and people—insights that also fuel her nonprofit work and passion for helping others. She began her career with American Airlines in 2022.
Marine Corps Career
Nichols flew both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, including the CH-53E Super Stallion and UC-35D Cessna Citation Encore. She deployed to Okinawa, Japan and Al Udeid, Qatar and a combat deployment to Afghanistan earning a Strike Flight Air Medal with Numeral 3 while flying the CH-53E. After transitioning to the Marine Corp Reserves she served as an instructor pilot and Marine Liaison Officer at Andrews AFB. She now continues her professional development at Command and Staff College.
Life in New Mexico
Since 2020, Nichols has lived in La Luz, NM, where she and her husband help run his family’s ranch. Alongside cattle and orchards of apples and cherries, she tends to her own lively herd of horses, goats, and mini donkeys—more than 25 animals in all!
She has served as the President of the New Mexico Chapter of Women in Aviation International from November of 2020 to October of 2024 and is currently the Otero County Coordinator for the chapter. She is a member of 100 Women Who Care Alamogordo and serve on the Board of Directors for the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation.