Tuskegee, Alabama — After working to secure funding, partnerships and accreditation, Tuskegee University is proud to announce that students who are interested in continuing the tradition of the Tuskegee Airmen will be able to enroll in the new Aviation Science degree program in January.
“When the nation needed aviators to face down Hitler over European skies in World War II, it was Tuskegee on the grounds of Moton Field where the myth that people of color could not fly was shattered,” said Dr. Mark A. Brown, President and CEO of Tuskegee University. “The Tuskegee Airmen were born, and the world benefited over the skies of Europe.”
Tuskegee University has been working for the last two or more years to create a formal degree program that will allow students to become certified pilots, in the tradition of the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. Tuskegee will now offer a bachelor's degree in aviation science with the flight option, which was recently accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
“Tuskegee University is proud of its heritage of training pilots who serve our country,” said Dr. Brown. “As North America faces a pilot shortage of about 130,000 in the next 20 years, our new degree program will prepare aviators to serve their country through the defense or commercial aviation industry, which is in need of rebuilding pilot programs to meet the demand.”
This initiative has received the support of Alabama Senator Katie Britt who supported a federal allocation of $6.7 million earlier this year, a recent recommendation for additional funding for FY2025, a formal partnership with Leadership in Flight Training (LIFT) Academy/Republic Airways, and the use of Moton Airfield in collaboration with the City of Tuskegee and Macon County.
“With our recent SACSCOC accreditation approval of the Aviation Science degree with flight training, we will once again – as the Tuskegee Airmen did for World War II – help the nation solve its challenge,” said Dr. Brown. “Tuskegee has answered the nation’s call with talent, ingenuity and brilliance since its founding. The university provides all military services on campus, preparing a standard of excellence that serves this nation, domestically and abroad.”
About Tuskegee University
Located in Tuskegee, Alabama, Tuskegee University is a private, state-related and nationally ranked land-grant institution that serves a racially, ethnically and religiously diverse student body of 3,000-plus students. The institution was founded in 1881 by Booker T. Washington and is one of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges since 1933, Tuskegee’s academic programs — many accredited by their respective accrediting bodies — currently lead to 41 bachelor’s, 16 master’s and five doctoral degree opportunities. For more information about Tuskegee University, visit www.tuskegee.edu.
About LIFT AcademyLeadership In Flight Training (LIFT) Academy is a U.S.-based commercial aviation pilot training school owned by Republic Airways Holdings Inc. Headquartered in Indianapolis, LIFT provides commercial aviation training by utilizing a curriculum that combines flight, flight simulator, and online and in-classroom training. LIFT Academy students train on a fleet of aircraft produced by Diamond Aircraft Industries, including the DA40 single-engine, DA42 twin-engine, and DA20 single-engine aircraft. Complementing this, LIFT has deployed Aviation Advanced Training Devices (AATDs) from Diamond Simulation and Frasca International. LIFT further enhances its training environment with immersive training devices (ITDs) crafted by Vertex Solutions, integrating the power of virtual reality into its curriculum. LIFT offers its graduates a defined pathway to a career as a commercial pilot at Republic Airways. LIFT Academy has locations in Indianapolis, Indiana, Columbus, Indiana, Galveston, Texas, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Tuskegee, Alabama. To learn more about LIFT Academy powered by Republic Airways, visit www.flywithlift.com.
About Republic Airways
Founded in 1974, Republic Airways is one of the largest regional airlines in the U.S., operating a fleet of more than 200 Embraer 170/175 aircraft. The airline provides scheduled passenger service with 900 daily flights to 80+ cities in the U.S. and Canada. Republic Airways employs over 6,000 aviation professionals and is committed to providing a top-tier experience for both employees and customers. Learn more at www.rjet.com.
Contact: Thonnia Lee, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
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