Secures $500K Grant

 

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (April 11, 2024) – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently rendered a $500,000 boost to the Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Aviation Workforce Development Program (AWD).  

Established at ECSU in 2022, the Aviation Workforce Development Academy offers program activities throughout the year and in the summer for high school students. With the latest grant funding, ECSU will also create and deliver more robust curriculum designed to prepare high school students to become pilots, aerospace engineers, or drone operators. Monies may also be used to support the professional development of teachers.  

“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.  

Thanks to the grant funding there is also an opportunity to cultivate aviation programming within four selected North Carolina high schools. The schools will receive resources to set up a state-of-the-art 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.  

About Elizabeth City State University  
Elizabeth City State University provides students with a high-quality, affordable education. A constituent member of the University of North Carolina System, ECSU develops courageous, resilient, and empowered leaders through excellent student-centered, experiential learning. ECSU offers baccalaureate, professional, and master’s degrees across a wide variety of disciplines. Come to Discover. Leave to Conquer. Visit www.ecsu.edu.