Elizabeth City, N.C. — For 40 high school students from four states and the District of Columbia, a four-hour bus ride to Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Sept. 12 gave them their first glimpse of what their futures could look like. For three seniors, it ended with admission letters in hand.
The students, representing 25 high schools across Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia and North Carolina, visited ECSU as part of the Alexandria-Fairfax (Virginia) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.’s STEM and Aviation Day. For many, it was their first visit to a college campus and an opportunity to explore aviation and STEM careers through hands-on experiences while learning more about college life at ECSU.
STEM and Aviation Day at ECSU began with a high-energy welcome from ECSU’s cheerleaders and “Sound of Class” Marching Band before students received briefings on campus life, admissions and the university’s history.
Students explored ECSU’s aviation facilities, including flight simulators and the air traffic control lab. They also visited the university’s STEM trailer and participated in a drone-flying orientation, giving them a firsthand look at the technology and training behind careers that extend far beyond flying planes.
There were also tangible results from the visit. Three high school seniors received acceptance letters during the trip, with additional students expected to consider ECSU as they make their college decisions.
Responding to Need, Closing the Gap
The aviation industry faces growing workforce demands, and Black representation in aviation has long been low. The Alexandria-Fairfax Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity’s aviation program is working to reshape this. The program, a 10-week introduction to aviation for students in grades eight through 12, uses aviation as a gateway to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, introducing students to subjects including aerodynamics, aircraft components, the national airspace system, meteorology, aviation communications, hazardous weather, weight and balance and aviation physiology.
For ECSU, the student’s visit offered an opportunity to demonstrate why aviation has become one of the university’s signature areas of study.
The partnership began through a conversation between Woody Woodyard, co-chair of the Alexandria-Fairfax Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity’s aviation program, and James Hayes, ECSU’s aviation student success coordinator and fellow Kappa brother.
“As a private pilot and FAA-certified drone operator, Hayes shares our commitment to introducing students to aviation careers,” Woodyard said.
Woodyard described the Kappa aviation program and its goals of giving high school students hands-on exposure at a college with a strong aviation program and pathways to careers as pilots, air traffic controllers, and other aviation professionals. Hayes recommended ECSU.
Hayes then introduced Woodyard to Sheryl Bradford, ECSU’s coordinator of STEM operations, and Arlinda Halfacre, director of admissions.
“I shared our vision for an aviation-focused campus tour, and they enthusiastically supported it. Needless to say, we are very pleased with the outcome. The ECSU team rolled out the red carpet. Our students and parents are still talking about the visit, the warm Viking welcome and their experience,” Woodyard added.
ECSU’s Competitive Lift
For Kappa’s aviation program, ECSU stood out as the strongest aviation program on the East Coast.
“It’s close to our target student population and offers several aviation degree programs and FAA pathways as pilots, air traffic controllers, unmanned aircraft systems operators and professionals in airport operations and management. ECSU also combines affordable tuition and a quality education with highly qualified faculty, staff, and FAA-certified instructors. Its university-owned aircraft fleet, maintenance hangar, and runway further distinguish the program,” Woodyard said.
According to Woodyard, few colleges provide such a broad range of opportunities.
Mission Accomplished
The visit’s success resulted from months of planning and collaboration. Hayes and Halfacre provided guidance, expertise and coordination beginning with their initial meeting in July, helping organize a visit that connected students with ECSU’s academic programs, campus culture and aviation opportunities.
During their initial conversation, Halfacre said they knew they wanted to introduce prospective students to ECSU through an immersive campus experience.
“This experience allowed students to engage directly with our academic programs, faculty, and facilities while gaining firsthand exposure to career pathways in high-demand fields. Coupled with the affordability of the NC Promise Tuition Plan, ECSU stands out as an exceptional option for students seeking a quality and accessible education in STEM disciplines, positioning them for future academic and professional success,” said Halfacre.
A Different World
Campus visits can be life-changing for students and their families, especially for first-generation students who have worked hard in high school and want to attend college but may not know how to take the next steps. They must weigh unfamiliar decisions about leaving their families and close-knit communities, moving to another state, affordability, location and whether they will feel welcomed and valued.
By meeting ECSU students and touring the campus, classrooms, labs, student union, residence halls, facilities, and Viking Den, many could picture themselves in college and pursuing a successful future.
Ascending to What’s Next
Looking ahead, one of the Kappa Aviation program’s goals is to build a strategic partnership with ECSU that brings more students from the Kappa Aviation programs and high schools across the nation to campus and encourages them to consider enrolling. One of their immediate goals is to work with the aviation department to develop summer programs that introduce and expose students to aviation careers and provide a college campus experience.
When asked what success would look like within three to five years with a strategic partnership, Woodyard said he hopes to see strong enrollment and graduation rates for ECSU students who become FAA-certified pilots, air traffic controllers, unmanned aircraft systems pilots and aviation managers working around the world.
“Success would also include an overnight summer aviation camp on campus, student internships with airlines and local, state and federal aviation agencies, and an annual professional aviation conference and aircraft fly-in hosted by ECSU and attended by aviation alumni and industry professionals. We want to help promote and raise the brand profile of the ECSU aviation program nationally and internationally. We believe our collaborative vision and partnership with ECSU will create the aviation workforce of the future and the next generation of aviation industry leaders,” said Woodyard.
For students who had never stepped onto a college campus before, ECSU’s STEM and Aviation Day offered something bigger than a tour.
It offered a destination.
