CHAMPAIGN, Ill. Elaine McCoy, the chair of the department of aviation at Ohio University, will become the director of the University of Illinois Institute of Aviation Aug. 21.
McCoy, a licensed pilot as well as a flight and ground instructor, will succeed Henry Taylor, who is retiring after 21 years as the director of the UI institute. She begins her duties at the UI Aug. 21.
McCoy earned a doctoral degree in interpersonal communication from Ohio University, a masters in English from Ohio State University and a bachelors in English, Spanish and education from Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio.
Prior to becoming director of the aviation department at Ohio University, McCoy was the director of the Nebraska Space Grant Consortium, 1992-93; a professor in the Aviation Institute of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1991-93; a professor in the department of aviation at San Jose State University, 1989-91; and professor in the department of aviation at Ohio State, 1984-89.
At the university level, McCoy has taught a wide range of courses, including creative writing, the social and cultural history of communication, public speaking, aviation weather, airline management and radio communications.