Wake Technical Community College is partnering with historically Black Elizabeth City State University to cooperate on programs in aviation and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
The partnership includes the development of UAS programming for operating drone equipment. The two institutions will also collaborate with nearby East Wake High School on a potential drone academy and with Lenoir Community College on aviation and emergency management programs. ECSU will share a dedicated lab in the new Public Safety Simulation Complex and other classroom space at Wake Tech East in order to provide simulation instruction and training. ECSU will also share a new drone pavilion at the site.
Karrie G. Dixon, chancellor of Elizabeth City State University, expressed great enthusiasm for the partnership “to promote unmanned aircraft systems and public safety/emergency management, which will create new pathways for students toward a great career. ECSU and Wake Tech are uniquely positioned to offer a quality UAS program focused on public safety. Public safety is one of the fastest-growing areas to have adopted drone technology. This partnership provides a seamless transfer to UAS, aviation, and emergency management programs at ECSU once students complete their degree at Wake Tech.”
“Wake Tech is thrilled to join forces with ECSU, a leader in aviation education, to provide such exciting new opportunities to our community, and especially to residents of eastern Wake County,” said Scott Ralls, president of Wake Tech. “This partnership is an innovative response to the region’s needs. Public safety training is, of course, vital to our communities – and to Wake Tech’s mission – and unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, are rapidly becoming a critical component in keeping our communities safe.”
