Meteorological Education
Debbie Schaum is a highly knowledgeable professional in the field of science who has utilized her expertise to build an extremely successful career in higher education.
Debbie began her education at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1974 where she pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Atmospheric Science. She graduated in 1977 and went straight into a position with the U.S. Air Force, where she worked as a Meteorologist and was a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. During this time, she made her mark by introducing a scholarship program for students. She attributes her vast expertise in meteorology to the years of experience she gained with the Air Force.
After more than sixteen years with the Air Force, Debbie retired from service with the rank of a Major and elected to transfer her skills to the field of education. She secured a position with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, as a Professor of Meteorology, where her career continues to be based to this day. Her role includes the design of curriculum that makes use of real case studies, and a focus on weather for aircrews. She has been teaching for over twenty-five years.
Her prominence in a male-dominated industry has seen her commit herself to inspiring others, especially women, to enter the sciences. She has indeed established herself as a figure of inspiration for many and focuses her teaching efforts on training and preparing students for a range of careers in applied science, business, technology, aviation, engineering, intelligence, security, safety and space.
Her expertise has attracted considerable attention and Debbie has been featured in Top Female Executives, Elite Women Worldwide and Elite American Educators. She attributes the discipline, focus and motivation that she continues to apply in her work and private life to her years in the U.S. Air Force, and hopes to continue inspiring younger generations of scientists and mathematicians.
Debbie has no plans to slow down, and in fact has a number of pursuits on the horizon. For the last four years she has also been the Associate Chair of Applied Aviation Sciences which encompasses four-degree programs, Meteorology, Air Traffic Management, Aviation and Occupational Safety, and Spaceflight Operations. She wishes to continue teaching at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University She also continues to volunteer at local schools and other institutions, where she mentors foster children and those with mental handicaps, an activity she finds extremely rewarding.