Enrollment Has More Than Doubled In Two Years

Elizabeth City State University in northeastern North Carolina has seen its aviation sciences degree programs grow from just 17 students in 2007 to about 50 enrolled this year, according to program Director Anthony Sharp. The growth comes despite state budget cuts that have slowed the growth of the program.

The Elizabeth City Daily Advance said at an orientation meeting last week for students, Sharp said the program was experiencing normal growing pains, but "(W)e are still trying to get word out about the program.”

ESCU offers a major in Aviation Science, but there are several minors in the program as well, including aviation management, computer science, electronics, public administration, flight education, avionics and space science. With FAA planning to hire some 15,000 new air traffic controllers over the next 10 years or so, the school also plans to offer an ATC program beginning next year.

The paper reports that the school has spent nearly a half million dollars on new aviation training equipment which it expects to be delivered and installed during this academic year, but funding for a $19.5 million Aviation and Space Science Center is on hold due to state budget cuts. The school had also planned to buy a Cessna 172 for flight training, but that money is on hold as well.

At the orientation, Sharp said there are jobs available for graduates in both the military and civilian aviation sectors, but he also tossed in a dose of reality. “I don’t want everybody to think they can graduate and become the director of NASA or fly an F-15 — it ain’t gonna happen,” he said.

FMI: www.ecsu.edu