Awards & Honors

  • 2026
    Fulbright Specialist Roster (U.S. Department of State)
    Selected by Peer Review Panel; three-year appointment, 2026–2029. Eligible for short-term international projects with host institutions in 150+ countries
  • 2025
    Boeing Center for Aviation & Aerospace Safety (BCAAS) Seed Grant, $15,000
    Boeing Center for Aviation & Aerospace Safety (BCAAS) Seed Grant. $15,000. Ernest Ogbozor and Jules Yimga.
  • 2025
    Elected to AZBAA Board of Directors
    2025 Elected for a two-year term to the Board of Directors of the Arizona Business Aviation Association (AZBAA).
  • 2024
    Best Paper Award Winner
    65th Annual Transportation Research Forum, Arlington, VA, April 4-5, 2024
  • 2024
    Outstanding and Overachieving Mentor and Advisor
    AAAE Club, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • 2023
    Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award
    Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State. University press release, Twitter
  • 2023
    Scholar of the Year Award
    College of Business, Security and Intelligence, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • 2022
    Scholar of the Year Award
    College of Business, Security and Intelligence, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • 2022
    Advisor of the Year Award Nomination
    Department of Student Engagement, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • 2022
    Top Faculty Scholar Award Nomination
    Phi Kappi Phi Honor Society
  • 2021
    Faculty Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST) Grant, $4,635
    Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • 2020
    Faculty of the Semester Award
    Student Government Association (SGA)
  • 2020
    Top Faculty Scholar Award
    Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Press Release
  • 2019
    Best Paper Award, $1,000
    www.atrsworld.org/2019

    23rd Air Transport Research Society World Conference, Amsterdam, Netherlands, July 2-5, 2019

  • 2019
    High-Performing Assistant Professor Award
    Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • 2019
    Undergraduate Research Institute Grant, $1,200
    Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • 2018
    President’s Distinguished Merit Pay Increase
    President’s Distinguished Merit Pay Increase for “excellent contribution” to the University. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • 2018
    Runner-up for the Best Paper Award
    22nd Air Transport Research Society World Conference, Seoul, Republic of Korea, July 2 — 5, 2018
  • 2018
    Outstanding Researcher/Scholar of the Year
    College of Arts and Sciences, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
  • 2018
    Paper Selected for Press Release
    Transportation Research Forum, 2018.
  • 2018
    Undergraduate Research Institute Grant, $750
    Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
  • 2017
    Undergraduate Research Institute Grant, $2,700
    Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
  • 2017
    Undergraduate Research Institute Grant, $1,095
    Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
  • 2017
    Research Travel Grant, $1,500
    Business Department, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
  • 2017
    Research Travel Grant, $1,200
    Business Department, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
  • 2016
    ERAU Accelerate Research Initiative, $50,000
    Bowen, B.D., Holt, T.B., Vasigh, B., Ison, D., Burgess, S., Fink, M., Yimga, J., & et al. (2016, October). Institute for Global Air Transport Analytics (IGATA) – An ERAU Center of Research Excellence.  Preproposal-approved.
  • 2016
    Research Travel Grant, $1,100
    Business Department, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
  • 2016
    Best Graduate Research Paper Award, $500
    In recognition of outstanding commitment to and achievement in the study of economics, Economics Department, Kansas State University.
  • 2016
    K-State Research Forum Award (1st Place), $500
    In recognition of outstanding research presentation, Graduate Student Council, Kansas State University. Web link
  • 2016
    Research Travel Grant, $600
    Department of Economics, Kansas State University
  • 2016
    Diversity Excellence Grant, $500
    In recognition of demonstrated interest, experience and ability in promoting cultural competency and diversity, College of Business Administration, Kansas State University
  • 2015
    M. Jarvin Emerson Award, $1,850
    Awarded to a Ph.D. student for exceptional scholarship and potential for research, Economics Department, Kansas State University
  • 2015
    Graduate Student Research Travel Grant, $800
    College of Arts & Sciences, Kansas State university.
  • 2015
    Research Travel Grant, $500
    Graduate Student Council, Kansas State university. Web link
  • 2015
    K-State Research Forum Award (3rd Place), $125
    In recognition of outstanding research presentation, Graduate Student Council, Kansas State University. Web link
  • 2014
    “Tutors Make a Difference'' Award, $300
    Bestowed to a tutor whose work is exemplary and demonstrates a commitment to student success, Totally Tutoring, Kansas State University.
  • 2013
    BA Cargill Diversity Grant, $1000
    In recognition of demonstrated interest, experience and ability in promoting cultural competency and diversity, College of Business Administration, Kansas
    State University. Web link
  • 2010
    Academic Excellence Scholarship Award, $2,000
    Recognizes outstanding academic achievement by a Master’s student, School of Business, Alabama A&M University
  • 2010
    Highest Academic Average Award
    Awarded to graduate student with highest GPA in the MBA program, School of Business, Alabama A&M University
  • 2010
    Business Plan Competition Award
    Awarded to a student for outstanding business plan presentation, School of Business, Alabama A&M University