Mackenzie’s first time in an airplane was when a family friend, an Air Force Veteran, rented an aircraft from Hillsboro Aviation when she was thirteen. Five years later, she returned to film her friend flying a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress as a birthday gift. She has also been attending the Oregon International Air Show since she was a child.

Prior to joining Hillsboro Aero Academy in 2018, Mackenzie received her bachelor’s degree in sociology and minority studies from Portland State University and spent several years working in education and low-income health services. As the Lead Admissions Representative, Mackenzie is responsible for overseeing our admissions team and supporting students once they have been accepted into our school.

As of today, Mackenzie has yet to begin her flight training, but working with passionate aviation students encourages her to do so more every day.