When Ifeoluwa Ogunfolu’s guidance counselor suggested she try joining a drone team, she never imagined drones would play such a defining role in her education and career path. Now a junior at Texas A&M University studying Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technologies, she was recently hired as a Regional Support Specialist for the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF). Ifeoluwa is inspiring the next generation of students to take flight through the Aerial Drone Competition.
Ifeoluwa’s introduction to drones began through her high school’s JROTC program. During her freshman year, classes were impacted by the pandemic, limiting opportunities for extracurricular activities. The following year, she explored dance but soon realized it wasn’t the right fit. After guidance from her counselor, she joined the JROTC team AFJROTC(TX-924), a decision that would shape her academic and career path.
During her senior year, a new JROTC instructor brought the Aerial Drone Competition to her school. “I’d never done robotics or drones before,” she says. She joined the team, practiced tirelessly, and quickly discovered a passion for hands-on learning and engineering. “I love working with my hands,” she says. “Building drones and robots made me realize, this is what I want to do in the future: innovate, build, and solve problems.”
Ifeoluwa’s leadership journey took off alongside her interest in drones. As Group Commander of her JROTC unit, she led her peers in organizing a local championship event, an experience that enhanced her communication and problem-solving skills.
“You never know what’s going to happen in a drone competition,” she says. “Something might malfunction mid-flight, and you have to make decisions quickly. That experience taught me to think on my feet and lead with confidence.”
Her hard work paid off when her team won the championship, a moment that validated their dedication and teamwork. The experience demonstrated the power of perseverance and collaboration, showing her what can be achieved when a group stays committed to a shared goal.
Today, as a Regional Support Specialist with the RECF, Ifeoluwa helps students discover their potential through the Aerial Drone Competition. She finds it rewarding to give back to the program that shaped her own journey and is dedicated to ensuring students feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Her goal is to create the same sense of belonging and excitement that she felt as a competitor. “I want to give students a fair playing field and reassure them when they’re struggling,” she says. “Sometimes they just need to hear, ‘You’ve got this.'”
Ifeoluwa believes drone education is about much more than learning to fly. “You’re not just flying a drone, you’re learning teamwork, communication, and problem-solving,” she explains. “You start thinking critically about how the environment affects flight or how to adjust your strategy. Those lessons apply everywhere, not just in STEM.”
As she continues her studies and supports drone teams across Texas, Ifeoluwa hopes to inspire more students, especially young women, to explore STEM fields. Reflecting on her own journey, she considers joining JROTC and discovering drones among the most impactful decisions of her life, and she now takes pride in helping others find their own paths forward.
From student competitor to program ambassador, Ifeoluwa embodies the mission of the RECF, empowering students to design, innovate, and soar, one drone flight at a time.
