Florida Tech students Dallas Boodhoo and Ryder Schuch each won the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) Foundation’s Business Aviation University Scholarship. The prestigious award recognizes students for both their academic excellence and genuine passion for the business aviation industry.
Boodhoo and Schuch are two of just 11 students chosen from a pool of more than 155 applicants to receive the scholarships. It’s an accomplishment that the students, as well as Rian Mehta, associate dean of Florida Tech’s College of Aeronautics, are rightfully proud of.
“It is a source of pride for us at the College of Aeronautics not only to see our students win awards but to see their great value being recognized at the highest level by the industry,” Mehta said. “It helps cement the name in the minds of all industry leaders that the next generation of aviation professionals are being cultivated here at Florida Tech.”
The IADA Business Aviation Scholarship was established to benefit university students seeking careers in business aviation. Scholarships are open to full-time undergraduate and graduate students, and each award falls between $1,000 and $5,000. Florida Tech’s recipients received $4,000 each.
Boodhoo is pursuing a Doctor of Aviation and is passionate about improving safety and technology in the business aviation industry.
“This award means the world to me,” Boodhoo said. “It is a representation of the hard work that I put in, and it is a tangible investment in my future. I strive to pay this forward as I achieve my goals.”
Schuch is a sophomore studying Aviation Management. He accepted his award in person at the 2025 NBAA Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in Las Vegas.
“Aviation is truly a service industry, and I look forward to being a part of that service industry,” Schuch wrote in a LinkedIn post.
Florida Tech’s relationship with IADA extends past its scholarship recipients. Alumnus and adjunct faculty member Sean McGeough ‘95, ‘05 M.S. was named chair of IADA’s Foundation Board in April. He is executive vice president of business development in North America for Jet Support Services Inc. and teaches Aviation Career Planning. He holds both a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management and a Master of Science in Management from Florida Tech and is pursuing a Doctor of Aviation degree.
