Shugo Mori

For Shugo Mori, the path to the cockpit started long before college.

“I’ve always known I wanted to be an airline pilot,” he says. “Growing up with my mother working as a flight attendant gave me early exposure to travel and the aviation environment, which made flying feel familiar and meaningful.”

Mori is earning a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical management technology with a concentration in professional flight at The Polytechnic School, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University. He is turning those early experiences into a career defined by precision, discipline and purpose.

His early access to aviation shaped his decision to choose this major and commit fully to the rigorous demands of flight training. Mori earned a total of six Federal Aviation Administration certifications at ASU progressing from Private Pilot through Certified Flight Instructor–Instrument and will graduate one year early, completing the program in three years.

“A lot of people underestimate how demanding this major is,” he says. “You’re balancing regular ASU coursework while also completing intensive flight training at the same time.”

One professor who made a significant impact on his time at ASU was Associate Teaching Professor Marc O’Brien. His guidance during a major transition in the program showed a strong commitment to the students. Mori appreciated that he actively accepted student feedback and worked to improve the curriculum and the over flight training experience.

Beyond the classroom, Mori has taken on leadership roles that reflect both initiative and community impact. As an ASU aviation tutor, he mentors fellow students navigating the same challenges he once faced. He also served as vice president of the Japanese Student Association at ASU, helping share culture and build connections across campus.

As the Phoenix outreach lead for the Professional Asian Pilots Association, he organized events and created valuable opportunities for his peers, including an American Airlines operations and hangar tour. What he also found through this organization was a strong sense of community and mentorship.

After graduation, Mori plans to begin his career as a first officer for Envoy Air, flying Embraer 170 and 175 aircraft from a base in Dallas or Chicago.

His advice to future students is straightforward.

“Choose a field you genuinely enjoy,” he says. “That interest naturally builds motivation, and over time, that’s what helps you stay committed and perform at a high level.”

Favorites

Hobby: Playing golf
Band: The Chainsmokers
TV show: Suits
Activity: Flying with friends to Sedona, Arizona
Sports team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Read about other exceptional graduates of the Fulton Schools’ spring 2026 class.

Written by Joy Gaeraths