ECTU receives $500,000 to support aviation programs

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (WAVY) — Elizabeth City State University received a $500,000 grant for their Aviation Workforce Development Program.

The grant was presented by the Federal Aviation Administration. The Aviation Academy was established back in 2022 for the university and offers program activities throughout the year and in the summer for high school students. With the additional funding, ECSU plans to enhance their curriculum designed to prepare high school students to become pilots, aerospace engineers or drone operators, a release states.

“If we’re able to tap into students’ interests even before they’re in college, there’s an even greater chance that we can cultivate those interests, educate them and even steer them towards ECSU,” said Kuldeep Rawat, dean of the School of Science, Aviation, Health and Technology, and project director of the FAA AWD grant.

Additional schools in the city are expected to receive resources to set up more advanced aviation education laboratory and establish aviation or drone programs.

“We are committed to providing as many opportunities as possible,” Rawat said.

This year, summer program dates are June 16-21 and June 23-28. Applications are available here and the deadline to apply is April 30.

Check with WAVY.com for more updates.

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