Jonathan Tejada
Leadership, Integrity, and a Passion for Aviation: Jonathan Tejada’s Story
Jonathan Tejada is a 2013 graduate of Marywood University, where he studied Aviation Management and Flight Operations. Today, he serves as Lead Flight Scheduler at PepsiCo, combining his aviation knowledge with leadership, organization, and a commitment to safe and reliable flight operations.
Jonathan chose Marywood because of its location, class sizes, and campus community. He was also drawn to the University’s sports programs and newer facilities. The combination of a smaller school environment and opportunities to pursue his interest in aviation made Marywood a strong fit for his college experience.
One of the people who had the greatest influence on Jonathan during his time at Marywood was Capt. McDonald. Jonathan remembers his dedication to making sure students understood the material and felt supported in the classroom. “Capt McDonald, really took the time to make sure everyone in the class understood,” he says. That individual attention helped make a lasting impression on Jonathan and contributed to his academic experience.
Jonathan’s career has allowed him to bring together many of the skills and values he developed through his education and professional experiences. One of his proudest accomplishments has been “building a career that combines safe flight operations, leadership, customer service, and being able to help others.” For Jonathan, success in aviation is about more than managing operations. It is also about serving others, maintaining high standards, and helping create safe and effective outcomes.
His Marywood education provided him with a strong foundation for his career. “Good basic overall knowledge and understanding,” he says, describing what he gained from his academic experience. That foundation gave him the knowledge necessary to enter the aviation field and continue developing professionally throughout his career.
Outside the classroom, Jonathan was an active member of the Marywood community. He played on the Marywood Men’s Soccer team and was involved with the Marywood Aviators Club. These experiences gave him opportunities to build relationships, work as part of a team, and remain connected to his passion for aviation while developing important skills beyond his coursework.
Jonathan also credits his Marywood experience with helping him grow more independent and organized. “Being independent, prioritizing different tasks accordingly,” he says when reflecting on the personal growth he experienced as a student. Those skills have remained important throughout his professional career, where effective organization and prioritization are essential to managing flight operations.
Today, Jonathan is passionate about motivating young people and introducing them to the many opportunities available within aviation. He is particularly interested in “motivating and exposing the youth to different career fields in aviation.” By helping young people discover the variety of careers available in the industry, he hopes to encourage the next generation to consider aviation as a field where they can build meaningful and rewarding careers.
For current Marywood students, Jonathan encourages them to remain curious and committed to personal growth. “Stay curious, work hard, and never stop learning,” he advises. He also emphasizes the importance of developing a strong professional reputation. “Build a reputation for integrity, reliability and professionalism,” he says. “Your character will open many doors along with your skills.”
Jonathan’s journey from Marywood Aviation Management and Flight Operations student to Lead Flight Scheduler reflects the value of combining technical knowledge with strong character and leadership. Through his work in aviation and his commitment to encouraging young people to explore the field, he continues to demonstrate the importance of professionalism, service, and lifelong learning.