Leigh Agustin '16

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Lewis University alumnus and United Airlines pilot, Leigh Agustin '16, reflects on a journey that began as a commuter student and has led him to fly international routes, fulfilling a lifelong dream. He chose Lewis University for its renowned flight school, located conveniently close to home, allowing him to balance his education and personal life.

"My experience at Lewis was incredible. The smaller classes meant professors truly knew me, which made a huge difference in my education," he recalls. These close-knit connections not only enriched his academic journey but also shaped lifelong friendships. In fact, four of his Lewis classmates stood by his side as groomsmen at his wedding.

Graduating from Lewis gave him a competitive edge in the aviation industry. "The flight program covered every aspect of professional aviation, preparing me well for my career. I felt ready, and that confidence helped me secure a position with United Airlines."

After spending time as a flight instructor at Lewis and gaining additional experience at Republic Airways, Leigh joined United. For the past two years, he has been living his dream, flying to places like Tokyo, Japan, one of his favorite destinations. One special moment in his career came when he and another fellow Lewis Flyer had the opportunity to fly together for the first time since their college days. Both gentlemen graduated from Lewis University with degrees in Aviation Flight Management and worked as Certified Flight Instructors. Today, they are First Officers at United Airlines, flying the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

After taking a photo together in the cockpit and then sharing it with the Lewis Alumni Office, Leigh shared, "We wanted to share this moment to inspire future Flyers to keep working hard for their dreams and the friends you'll meet along the way."

But the road to success wasn’t without its challenges. "One of the most important lessons I learned at Lewis was perseverance. Flight school can be tough, but if you keep studying and pushing through, you’ll become someone you didn’t know you could be."

Looking ahead, Leigh aspires to become a captain at United, continuing his growth both personally and professionally.

His advice to current students, especially aspiring pilots: "Chase the career that will make you happy, even on the bad days. Trust the process Lewis has set up for you, and in the end, it’ll all be worth the hard work."

With the foundation built at Lewis University, Leigh is soaring high—both in his career and in life. Married to his wife Elizabeth, he’s enjoying every moment of living his dream as an international pilot, and he encourages others to follow their passion and never stop improving.

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