Taking Flight
One of my favorite things about this community is the people - seeing fans show up to UND games and cheering on my fellow student-athletes.Justin Jelaca, ’26
Justin Jelaca, ’26
Hometown
Bolton, Ontario, Canada
Area of Study
Commercial Aviation
Athletic Program & Position
UND Track & Field, Distance
Favorite Area of Campus
Throughout my time here, there have been some tremendous renovations to buildings, blending the new with the old in a nice way. Every part of campus is a joy to walk through.
Academic Highlight
From having no idea how to fly a plane to now enrolling in a course about teaching other students to fly — that is crazy to me. This is why I believe UND is the greatest aviation school in the country. The professors, advisors, flight instructors, and administration go above and beyond to make sure students succeed in this field.
Community Involvement
I have logged over 100 hours of community service. I am currently the president of the UND Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), and I am running for vice president of the Summit League SAAC board. I couldn’t be more honored to represent UND and the Summit League!
Biggest Athletic Accomplishment
The collective growth of our team stands out to me. UND has risen toward the top of the conference when it comes to sending athletes to regional and national competitions. Future Goals: After graduation, my goal is to fly for a major airline in the United States or Canada. I plan to stay at UND to be a flight instructor and gain more experience before applying to the airlines.
Justin was chosen as one of just 250 people to attend the NCAA Leadership Forum in Charlotte, North Carolina in fall 2024. The group included athletes, coaches, and staff members from all divisions of the NCAA who gathered to improve leadership skills for their institutions and communities.
Pledge Your Loyalty
As the costs to run top collegiate athletic programs continue to escalate, the University of North Dakota Alumni Association & Foundation and UND Athletics are working to secure the future of the programs we know and love.
