Nazarian Students Take Initiative, Turn Classroom Project into Real-World LAX Experience

In a notable display of initiative and hands-on learning, seven students in Nazarian College’s Management of Emerging Technology course demonstrated exceptional dedication for their final project this semester.

Tasked with exploring emerging technologies in an industry of their choice, the student team selected the Automated People Mover project under construction at the Los Angeles International Airport. The APM is LAX’s forthcoming electric train that will provide access to terminals, parking, and pick-up and drop-off curbs. It will also connect travelers and others to the regional Metro rail system.

Rather than relying solely on traditional research, the team—composed of Miles Anthony, Cesar Avila, Eliana Espinosa, Ryann Gaglio, Hadisson Golestani, James Hernandez and Tatiana Yaglian—proactively arranged an in-person meeting with the LAX project’s on-site managers.

The students received an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the system’s physical infrastructure and logical control systems, gaining rare insight into the engineering and business processes behind the massive project. The team discovered they were the first university students in Los Angeles to request such access.

Professor Wayne Smith, who has taught at Nazarian College for 40 years, says the students chose a topic that they found meaningful to the community and engaged directly with professionals for hands-on, real-world learning.

“This team truly exemplified what it means to take learning beyond the classroom,” Smith says. “They demonstrated initiative, critical thinking and real-world application, highlighting the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of Nazarian College.”

The course, MGT 340 “Management of Emerging Technology,” is part of the Nazarian College Entrepreneurship program.