Marla Faison

At an early age, Marla Faison began looking up at the sky and developing curiosities about “things” that flew. After losing her younger brother in a tragic accident, her inquisitiveness about things in the clouds grew even more. It didn’t take long to realize the closest she felt to her brother was at 30,000 feet. She began flying as an unaccompanied minor, which allowed her the opportunity to sit in numerous flight decks and speak with many crew members. Her curiosity spiked and her passion for aviation took off. She realized at a young age that the sky’s the limit, and that’s where she wanted to be.

Marla graduated from Elizabeth City State University in 2011; she was at the top of her class and the first female air traffic control graduate. As a student, Marla earned her private pilot’s license and participated in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) competition. Marla completed her final year with honors after being persuaded by her advisor to bring her newborn son to class.

Taking a short break from aviation, Marla opened a retail business in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, creating income and stability for her family. After three years, the retail business was successful, and her second son was on the way. Marla’s passion for aviation never left, so she sold her business and transitioned back into the industry.

Marla began contracting for the United States Coast Guard (USCG) as part of the Engineering Service Division (ESD), where she helped produce technical manuals for the USCG aviation fleet. As a part of ESD, Marla produced complex schematics, wire diagrams, orthographic and axonometric illustrations, various graphic requests, and provided sustainment for publications. This included Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Time Compliance Technical Orders (TCTO), Maintenance Procedure Cards (MPC), CG-22 orders, etc., for the MH65, MH60, HC130, HC144, and C27 product lines. Quickly promoted, Marla began providing quality assurance (QA) for the Technical Information Management Branch (TIMB), applying ASME Y14 standards and S1000D compliances. During her time contracting for the USCG, Marla graduated summa cum laude, earning her MBA from Lynn University in aviation management.

In August 2022, Marla was invited to rejoin her mentor at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) part-time as an adjunct professor. One year later, she joined the team full-time as a professor in the aviation science department. As a professor, Marla enjoys teaching classes in Introduction to Aviation, Air Transportation, Aviation Human Factors and Safety, Crew Resource Management, Airport Planning and Management, Transition to the Aviation/Aerospace Industry, and Aviation Capstone (Independent Research for Seniors Only). Marla devotedly represents ECSU as a department advisor for the Women in Aviation Internation (WAI), a non-profit organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of women in all aviation and aerospace career fields and interests. Marla celebrates being a member of the National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA). The largest organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender aviation professionals and enthusiasts from around the world. She has started the student chapter and it’s now the only historically black college or university that has a student chapter with NGPA. Aside from NGPA, the

Outside of Marla’s profession, one will usually find her outdoors at the beach or working in her yard. Marla is an enthusiast for geocaching, thrifting, yard selling, and loves playing board and card games. Marla loves to work with her hands, travel, and is delighted to immerse herself in local culture and cuisine when doing so. With her two sons, Levi and Ryder, she enjoys playing ball (all types) singing, listening to music. She plans to further her education by getting her doctorate (acceptance pending).

Marla began studying at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) in 2011. During her time at ECSU she became a private pilot, participated in NIFA competition, was an active member in Women in Aviation International and had her first child. Despite bringing her son to her classes senior year, she graduated as the first female to complete the air traffic control program.

Upon graduation Marla opened a retail store for babies and toddlers to fill a niche in Elizabeth City, NC. After three years, Marla had another son, and she sold her business to begin a new venture doing technical illustrating as a contractor for the Coast Guard. During this time Marla earned her MBA in aviation management from Lynn University, while being promoted to Quality Assurance. Marla spent her next five years doing quality assurance on schematics, wiring diagrams, technical illustrations, fault isolations, and other graphic-related content for the United State’s Coast Guard.

In August 2022 Marla began working as an adjunct professor at ECSU. In August of 2023, she began working full-time as a professor in the aviation science department for ECSU. Since then, Marla has become the Program Coordinator for the Aviation Department. She has spearheaded diversity initiatives and started the nation’s only student chapter at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) with the Latino Professionals in Aerospace (LPA), Professional Asian Pilots Association (PAPA), and the National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA). Another affinity group that Marla started was with the Organization of Black Aeronautical Professionals (OBAP). Aside from the affinity groups, Marla started and advises the American Associate of Airport Executives (AAAE) chapter at ECSU.

In her free time Marla can be found outdoors, whether at the beach, listening to live music or working in her yard. She enjoys all types of music and loves playing board games and card games. Her hobbies include geocaching, finding oddities at thrift stores and yard sales, singing and working with her hands. She loves traveling and immersing herself in local culture and cuisine wherever she goes.