Scholar of the Month
Thomas Long
Assistant Professor
College of Applied Engineering, Sustainability and Technology
2014-present
Thomas D. Long is assistant professor and lead faculty member in Aeronautics-Aviation Management at the College of Applied Engineering, Sustainability and Technology. His research focuses on aviation effects on the environment and airport planning/operations. Long’s most recent work includes research on environmental alternate fuels, green infrastructure for stormwater on airports and enhancing aviation safety through weather technology in the cockpit.
He has received more than $14 million in federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants for the planning and development of public-use airports. Long has 22 years of experience working in the civilian airport environment with six different airports, managing four of those as airport director and superintendent.
Long has taught a variety of aviation subjects at Southern Illinois University and Utah Valley University. He has worked with the Boeing Wind Tunnel Complex and served for 12 years in multiple roles with the U.S. Air Force, providing close air support, airdrop and reconnaissance missions to Army units as a member of the Tactical Air Control Party.
Long received a Master of Business Administration in management from Golden Gate University and a Bachelor of Science in aviation management from Southern Illinois University. He earned his accreditation with the American Association of Airport Executives in 2005.
’s Scholar of the Month
’s Scholar of the Month recognizes faculty researchers and scholars whose recent work has had an important impact on their professional fields and has brought exposure to the university. Each month, a different college will have the opportunity to nominate a researcher/scholar for this recognition. There is also a month when a faculty member from the Regional Campuses will be featured.
The selection process is in the hands of the dean and his or her colleagues and faculty. Hence, this is recognition by the person’s college colleagues that is then taken up by the university. The deans communicate the person’s name to the Division of Research and Sponsored Programs for recognition as Scholar of the Month.