ABOUT US
Cornerstone Aviation Academy is a military-style aviation academy for underserved youth. We introduce them to the aviation industry, which is facing a shortage of talent. The goal is to provide the essential balance and resources every child needs to achieve true success.
Leadership
Mark D. Harper is a Kansas native, born and raised in Edwardsville. He served in the U.S. Army after high school and later pursued education in Electrical Technology. Professionally, Mark has held roles in accounts receivable and the construction trade, eventually becoming the owner of Cornerstone Restoration. He is now the co-owner and Business Administrator of The Learning Curve Center, serving families in Kansas City, Kansas.
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Mark and his wife, Tiffany, have been married for 12 years and live in Olathe, Kansas. They are active members of H.O.P.E. Church and are proud parents of five children and grandparents to ten. Mark is also a Tribal Citizen of the Cherokee Nation and served as the Executive Secretary for the Kansas City Cherokee Community, Chairman of the Political Action Commitee of The Johnson County NAACP
How It Started
Cornerstone Aviation Academy is a military-style aviation academy for underserved youth, founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The vision behind the academy was to create a safe space to educate children, mend brokenness, give them a sense of home, and introduce them to the aviation industry, which is facing a shortage of talent. ​​​​​
Est. 2020
The goal is to provide the essential balance and resources every child needs to achieve true success.In the midst of the suffering, panic, hurt, and fear caused by the pandemic, I prayed for the strength to build a place that could serve children and families—particularly those in Native American communities, the urban core, rural America, and foster care. The academy's mission is to heal families while empowering youth with aviation opportunities. We envision a Cornerstone school in every state, spreading this mission of hope and growth.​​
Our Name
The name "Cornerstone" comes from a biblical reference, symbolizing God as the foundation of all things and the reference point for everything built upon Him. This concept was given to me in a dream, and it became the foundation of Cornerstone Aviation Academy
