OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) is committed to empowering the next generation of innovators and trailblazers, like Brianda Gonzalez, who recently earned a Computer-Aided Technology – Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Certificate and already has been making an impact in the industry.
At OCCC, Brianda was able to balance her job as a dental hygienist with her dreams of becoming a drone pilot. She attended OCCC from Fall 2023 to Spring 2024.
“Brianda Gonzalez’s accomplishments are a testament to the endless potential that resides within each of our students, and her journey exemplifies the limitless possibilities that exist within the field of computer-aided technology,” said OCCC Professor Christian Noble.
While currently in the early stages of developing her own drone business, Gonzalez said she hopes to get more experience working in different sectors.
“Drones have a wide range of uses, and I want to be a multifaceted drone pilot,” she said.
Dynamic Skies, an Edmond-based company specializing in drone light shows, recognized Gonzalez’s potential and invited her to join its team after she obtained her Federal Aviation Administration remote pilot license.
“Obtaining an FAA remote pilot license is required to operate a drone for any commercial purpose. Thanks to OCCC’s UAS certificate, Brianda was prepared to take her exam and is now a licensed drone pilot. Dynamic Skies is pleased to welcome Brianda to the team,” said Brad Snelling, Dynamic Skies owner and director of operations. “Oklahoma is consistently rated in the top three states in the country for drone readiness. We are seeing only the beginning of a transformation in how drone technology will be utilized in public and military sectors.”
Gonzalez has participated in one Dynamic Skies show and has plans to work more with the company this summer.
“Since passing her FAA exam, Brianda has been actively involved with Dynamic Skies, contributing to drone upgrades and participating in mesmerizing drone light shows,” Noble said. “Her practical experience in the field complements the theoretical knowledge she gained through her coursework at OCCC, showcasing the effectiveness of our curriculum in preparing students for real-world applications.”
While at OCCC, Gonzalez played a pivotal role in establishing the unmanned aerial systems program’s operations manual with Professor Noble and classmates Josh Breece and Cesalea Ray. The comprehensive document provides detailed guidelines, procedures and protocols for all drone operations in the UAS program.
“Ours included topics such as risk assessment, emergency procedures, inventory, drone maintenance logs, checklists and more,” Gonzalez said. “This document will eventually have revisions made by future classes, but it was really cool to be a part of establishing the foundation.”
“Brianda’s dedication to ensuring safe and efficient drone operations underscores her commitment to excellence and professionalism,” Noble said. “By sharing her expertise with her peers and faculty members, Brianda has not only elevated her own skills but has also enriched the learning experience for others in the department.”
“Drone technology is advancing at a rapid pace, and it is important that we have qualified and skilled operators who can safely and ethically utilize the technology,” said John Claybon, dean, Division of Business and Information Technology. “Drone systems are used in a variety of industries including agriculture, insurance, city planning, utilities, law enforcement, health care, real estate, military, retail delivery and many others. OCCC is proud to be one of the pioneer educational institutions to offer programs that equip today’s students to leverage tomorrow’s technologies.”
