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industry with United Airlines and have the credentials to be both commercial and private pilots.”
S tudents at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) are soaring to new heights! Not only is ECSU’s signature aviation program the only four- year collegiate program in North Carolina offering a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in aviation science, the University has partnered with United Airlines to help train the next generation of pilots. “We’re experiencing some wonderful times at Elizabeth City State University,” said Dr. Karrie G. Dixon, 12th CEO and seventh chancellor of Elizabeth City State University. “When people think about ECSU, I want them to think of aviation science, that’s our niche.” Dixon said the partnership between ECSU and United Airlines will offer aviation students support and coaching on their way to becoming United Airlines pilots. ECSU is one of several Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are working with the airline for the program, which aims to train 5,000 pilots this decade. “The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chose us for a reason.hey chose us because they wanted to diversify the pipeline of pilots for years to come and this is so critical for us.”
Dixon is also ecstatic about ECSU living up to the state’s slogan “First in Flight,” by being the first institution in the state to launch a degree program in unmanned aircraft systems aka drones. “No one else is doing this yet in North Carolina.”
Growth seems to follow Dr. Dixon.
Since her arrival at ECSU, enrollment climbed nearly 40% in just 18 months and degree program offerings expanded, which also included an online master’s degree in education and an online bachelor’s degree in homeland security. Also under Dixon’s leadership, the university increased its fleet of owned aircrafts from two to 12 for ECSU’s signature aviation program.
ECSU’s resurgence does not rest solely on Chancellor Dixon.
“It’s a collective effort of our alumni, students, faculty, staff, campus community, and friends,” she said. “We see the progress and we want to keep that same energy and momentum.”
Dixon said HBCUs have a transformative impact on the lives of students.
From social mobility to success to the family-like environment where you’re nurtured and pushed to go further and reach your potential, HBCUs are indeed relevant, she said.
“We are excited that our students will have careers in the airline
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