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Contact UsFrom the Flight Deck to a Lifelong Commitment of Lifting Others
For Emmy Jacobson ’00, flight has always felt like home.
A Colorado native whose family has lived in Littleton for more than a century, Jacobson began flying at 16, following a path first charted by her father, an MSU Denver alumnus and retired airline pilot. When it came time to choose a university, Jacobson looked close to home and found exactly what she needed at Metropolitan State University of Denver: access, opportunity and a direct pathway into aviation.
“MSU Denver was in my backyard,” Jacobson said. “I could live at home, save money and be part of one of the strongest aviation programs in the region.”
“I knew this was where I wanted to be,” she said.
Academic Excellence, Built by People
Jacobson graduated in 2000 with a degree in aviation technology, part of what is now the Department of Aviation and Aerospace Science. The program’s reputation, strong industry connections and emphasis on hands-on learning made it a natural fit for a student who already knew her trajectory.
But when Jacobson talks about her MSU Denver experience, she doesn’t start with facilities or credentials. She starts with people.
“There were professors who made a real impact on me,” she said. “Even now, I can picture them, hear their voices, remember how they taught.”
One of those faculty members was aviation professor Jeff Price, whose job-targeting course introduced students to mock interviews and industry expectations long before they entered the workforce. Years later, that same class would become the reason Jacobson returned to campus as a mentor.
“When alumni were invited back to conduct mock interviews, I was one of the first to sign up,” she said. “That class was intimidating but incredibly valuable. I wanted students to have that same experience.”
Learning to Fly Without Leaving Campus
Jacobson’s memories of MSU Denver are closely tied to the World Indoor Airport, the university’s nationally recognized flight simulation lab. Even as a student with an instrument rating, she saw the value of practicing complex scenarios in a safe, accessible environment.
“You can log real hours, work with instructors and build confidence,” she said. “And it’s all part of your curriculum.”
For many students, the cost of flight time is one of the biggest barriers to entering aviation. MSU Denver’s investment in simulation technology helps reduce that burden. “It makes a difference,” Jacobson said. “It helps students keep moving forward.”
A Career That Took an Alternate Route
Jacobson graduated into an uncertain moment for aviation. After 9/11, airline hiring slowed dramatically, forcing many young pilots to pause or pivot. Jacobson did both.
She joined Jefferson, a Boeing company, where she spent more than two decades building a career in aviation services, sales and leadership. Today, she serves as commercial sales director at NavBlue, an Airbus company, working with airlines across the globe.
“I call it my alternate,” she said, using aviation terminology. “It wasn’t where I intended to go, but it’s where I landed, and I love it.”
Giving Back Quietly, and Consistently
Even as her career expanded, Jacobson never truly left MSU Denver.
For years, she volunteered quietly in the aviation department mentoring students, conducting mock interviews and attending new student orientations. In one case, she encouraged a student to consider a different career path, handed him her business card and later hired him. He stayed in the role for nearly a decade.
“That’s the fun part,” she said. “Connecting people and opening doors.”
Her service extends well beyond campus. Jacobson has led parent organizations, supported youth aviation events, volunteered with community groups and remained active in Women in Aviation International. In 2025, her impact was formally recognized when she was named MSU Denver Alumni Association Volunteer of the Year.
Last spring, she joined the MSU Denver Foundation Board, bringing with her decades of industry experience and an extensive professional network.
“I wanted to do more,” she said. “This felt like the right place.”
A Living Example of Opportunity
Jacobson’s story mirrors the journey of many MSU Denver students: first-generation aspirations, practical decision-making and a focus on opportunity. Through education, mentorship and persistence, she built a career that allowed her not only to succeed but, also, to lift others along the way.
“I’m incredibly proud of this institution,” she said. “Especially the way it supports students who might not otherwise see themselves in these careers.”
That pride defines what it means to be a Roadrunner.
Looking Ahead and Staying Connected
When asked what advice she would give today’s students, Jacobson didn’t hesitate.
“Slow down,” she said. “Take it in. Get involved. I rushed through, and I wish I had spent more time soaking it all up.”