Julie Speakes, Ph.D.

Biography

Julie Speakes, Ph.D., has more than 30 years of experience in aviation education, spanning roles from the flight line to the classroom and academic leadership. Her career includes service as a flight instructor, full professor, corporate pilot, and Online Dean for Liberty University’s School of Aeronautics. Currently, Dr. Speakes serves as Associate Dean of the School of Aeronautics and Program Director for the Master of Science in Aeronautics and Ph.D. in Aviation programs, where she also teaches graduate courses. Her responsibilities blend teaching, mentoring, and academic administration while supporting student success at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. Dr. Speakes serves on honors thesis and dissertation committees and is the faculty advisor for Liberty University’s Women in Aviation chapter. She is the Immediate Past Chair of the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) Board of Trustees and continues to serve as chair of the Guidance Committee, Governance Committee, Nominations Committee, and as a Visiting Team Chair. Prior to joining Liberty University, she retired after 24 years at Delta State University, where she served in numerous leadership roles, including department chair, coordinator of the Master of Commercial Aviation program, and FAA Airman Certification Representative (ACR), issuing pilot certificates earned through the university’s FAA Part 141 program. Earlier in her career, Dr. Speakes chaired the Aviation Management and Business Division at Middle Georgia College, where she helped develop a Bachelor of Science in Aviation degree with concentrations in flight management, air traffic control management, airport management, and logistics management. She also served on the Georgia Aviation Implementation Team for the Georgia Aviation Authority and the Transportation Education Foundation of Georgia. Before returning to academia, Dr. Speakes worked as a corporate pilot, bringing real-world aviation experience to her teaching and leadership. Above all, she is passionate about collegiate aviation and considers it a privilege to invest in the next generation of aviation professionals. Her greatest joy is mentoring students as they discover their purpose, develop their gifts, and flourish into the leaders and professionals God has called them to be.

Professional and Notable Memberships

• Aviation Accreditation Board International:
  • Interim President (January 1, 2024 – July 31, 2024)
  • Executive Board Committee, Immediate Past Chair (July 2026 – July 2028)
  • Executive Board Committee, Chair (July 2024 – July 2026)
  • Executive Board Committee, Vice Chair (2022 – July 2024)
  • Executive Board Committee, Treasurer (July 2021 – July 2022)
  • Executive Board Committee, Secretary (July 2020 – July 2021)
  • Accreditation Committee Member (2012 – 2016)
  • Education Board member (2006 – present)
  • Guidance Committee Chair (2016 – present)
  • Governance Committee Chair (2025 – present)
  • Graduation Education Committee (2007 – 2012)
  • Strategic Planning and Corporate Communications Committee Chair (2021 – 2026)
  • Accreditation Visiting Team Chair (2014 – present)
  • Accreditation Educator Visiting Team Member (2011 – present)
  • Industry Educator Panel Forum (2007 – 2008; 2022 – 2024)
  • Nominations Committee Chair (July 2026 – July 2028)
• University Aviation Association
  • President (2013 – 2014)
  • Membership Committee Chair (2008 – 2013)
  • Planning Committee (2006 – 2019)
  • University Representative (2022 – present)
• Women in Aviation International
  • Member
  • Faculty Advisor
  • Presenter
• Professional Aviation Honor Society
  • Alpha Eta Rho, Professional Aviation Fraternity
    • National Secretary and Board Member (2018 -2019)

Courses Taught

• AVIA 331: Commercial Pilot, Single Engine Add on
• AVIA 340: Aviation Weather
• AVIA 422: Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII)
• AVIA 443: Multi-Engine Instructor
• AVIA 505: Aviation Context & Foundations
• AVIA 525: Applied Aviation Research
• AVIA 535: Developing Aviation Leaders
• AVIA 572: Applied Aviation Factors
• AVIA 705: Advanced Aviation Research Orientation
• AVIA 706: Advanced Aviation Investigation
• AVIA 735: Human Factors and Aviation Automation
• AVIA 745: The Economic Environment of Aviation
• AVIA 980: Research Concepts and Methodology
• AVIA 987: Dissertation I
• AVIA 988: Dissertation II
• AVIA 989: Dissertation III
• AVIA 990: Dissertation IV

Research Interests

Aviation Education, Aviation Leadership, Accreditation, Student Success

Awards

• Aviation Accreditation Board International Paul A. Whelan Educator Award is the highest teaching awards for efforts to improve aviation education and advance accreditation.
• University Aviation Association Wheatly Award for having over ten years of excellent teaching experience in the aviation education profession and making outstanding contributions to aerospace education.

Favorite Verse

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13