It’s a full-circle moment!
Tuskegee University has just announced its newly accredited aviation program, making history as the first and only historically Black college or university (HBCU) in Alabama to offer an aviation program for students, Black Enterprise reports. The program is an extension of the university’s mission to contribute to training the next generation of Black pilots. Recent reports show that only about 2.5% of pilots were Black, compared to 87% of their white counterparts. It’s a gap Tuskegee is hoping to fill.
“We have responded to the demand for pilots. There are more than 10,000 to 15,000 pilots that are needed here in the U.S.,” said Tuskegee provost and senior VP of academic affairs, S. Keith Hargrove.
It’s a full circle moment for the state of Alabama, which was home to the legendary Tuskegee Airmen. In 1945, they made history as the first Black pilots to join the United States military. The famous Airmen are known worldwide for their contributions. They received Congressional gold medals for their service and were honored by the U.S. Mint with their very own commemorative quarters.
Tuskegee University is the first and only HBCU to offer a degree in aerospace science engineering, producing the largest number of Black aerospace science engineers in America. Previously, students had to study under this program while simultaneously taking necessary certifications to become a pilot. But earlier this year, Tuskegee University announced it had received $6.7 million in federal funding to launch its new aviation degree program. The new program will allow students to receive a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Science and take the appropriate FAA certification for private and commercial pilot certification. Students will also be able to train at Moton Field, the same grounds where the Tuskegee Airmen trained. In addition to a more streamlined process for aspiring pilots, the college will also work to scale the program, opening it to high school students interested in aviation career pathways.
The new aviation program at Tuskegee University is set to launch in January 2025.
Cover photo: Tuskegee University Launches First HBCU Aviation Program in Alabama to Train Black Pilots/Photo credit: Tuskegee University/Instagram