Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology

Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
Established	1932 - Renamed in 2004
Type	Private
President	Dr. John Fitzpatrick
Location	New York City, New York, United States 40°46′04″N 73°52′57″W / 40.7678°N 73.8825°W / 40.7678; -73.8825Coordinates: 40°46′04″N 73°52′57″W / 40.7678°N 73.8825°W / 40.7678; -73.8825
Campus	Urban
Nickname	Warriors
Affiliations	Hudson Valley Men's and Women's Athletic Conferences[1]
Website	http://www.vaughn.edu/

23d Avenue entrance

Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology (Formerly known as the College of Aeronautics, previously the Academy of Aeronautics and originally founded as the Casey Jones School of Aeronautics) is a specialized college located adjacent to LaGuardia Airport in Elmhurst, Queens County, New York. It was founded in Newark, New Jersey in 1932, and moved to New York in 1940. The college's most recent name change, to honor a founder, was on September 1, 2004.

It provides associate, bachelor and master's degrees in engineering, technology, aviation, and management. The Aviation Training Institute at Vaughn offers the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant maintenance certificate. Vaughn is the only college in New York to offer the engineering program Mechatronics, developed at MIT. Mechatronics is a combination of several engineering types including mechanical, electrical and computer engineering. The institution is also designated by the FAA as a Collegiate Training Institute and offers a non-degree air traffic control program for those wishing to pursue a career in this field.^[2]

History

In 1947, Charles S. “Casey” Jones, a pioneer aviator and aviation company executive, foresaw the need for highly trained technicians to design, build and service aircraft and engines. George A. Vaughn Jr. and Lee D. Warrender joined with Casey Jones in founding the Casey Jones School of Aeronautics, the predecessor of the Academy of Aeronautics, and as of September 1986, the College of Aeronautics. Effective September 1, 2004, the Board of Regents of the state of New York approved the institution changing its name from the College of Aeronautics to Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology.

Founding

Mayor Fiorello Henry La Guardia laid the cornerstone of the Academy building in 1940, shortly after the opening of LaGuardia Airport. Mayor LaGuardia wanted an aviation school to teach and train young people in the aviation technologies at his new airport. At the time, his friend and flying comrade of World War I, Charles (“Casey”) S. Jones, was operating the Casey Jones School of Aeronautics near Newark Airport. In early 1940, the mayor convinced Casey to establish a school near LaGuardia airport, across the Grand Central Parkway. It was founded by Jones, a well known racing pilot of the 1920s, George Augustus Vaughn, Jr., second ranking ace of WW I, and Lee D. Warrender, an aeronautical engineer. The Casey Jones School educated and trained 20,000 men and women who supported the nation’s successful air effort during World War II. Following WW II, the Casey Jones school was consolidated with the Academy of Aeronautics, and returned to the civilian aviation industry.

Expansion

In the fall of 1964, the Academy of Aeronautics conferred associate in applied science degrees for the first time. In 1969, the Academy was accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.^[3] In 1996, the College completely revised its curricula offering, resulting in nine new academic programs, including for the first time, the bachelor of science and an associate degree in flight.On May 5, 1998, a state-of-the-art 35,000-square-foot (3,300 m²) addition to the building complex was completed. It includes a 65-foot (20 m) observation tower providing a spectacular view of the runways at LaGuardia airport.

In 2010 a 126-foot (38 m) mural depicting early aviation that had been painted by Aline Rhonie Hofheimer in hangar F at Roosevelt Field was transferred to Vaughn and will be displayed following renovations.^[4]

National recognition and ranking

Among the best baccalaureate colleges

Vaughn was ranked among the best baccalaureate colleges in the 2009 edition of the US News & World Report college rankings. Baccalaureate colleges are ranked by region: North, South, Midwest and West. Vaughn was ranked in the first tier among such institutions as Cooper Union in Manhattan and the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, both of which focus on undergraduate education but grant fewer than half of their degrees in liberal arts disciplines. Vaughn was also ranked the most racially diverse and the most economically diverse in the North. Vaughn was relisted in the US News & World Report ranking for 2010.^[5]

One of 31 Aviation Colleges Selected by the FAA to Recommend Graduates

The Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program is a partnership between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology to provide the academic preparation necessary for students interested in air traffic control careers.^[2] Vaughn's air traffic control college is one of 31 aviation colleges in the country selected by the FAA to participate in this program that allows the air traffic control college to recommend its graduates to the FAA for hire as air traffic controllers.^[2]

Vaughn College and The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Vaughn College and The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have a long association of mutual interest in the aviation industry— an industry that is a vital economic driver for the New York metropolitan region. The Port supports Vaughn in a myriad of ways, from providing funding for the annual Women in Aviation Day to employing interns.

I am proud to have my name affiliated with this wonderful school through the honorary doctorate degree that you awarded me last year, and through many other partnership efforts, such as internships, with job recruitment efforts, and other ways that this fine educational institution has been part of the airport community.

—The late William DeCota, Director of the Aviation Department, at Vaughn College’s 75th anniversary luncheon on Thursday April 10, 2008

Academics

Vaughn College has an enrollment of almost 1500 students, and offers bachelor's and associate degree programs in engineering, engineering technology, management, and aviation. The college offers a master degree in Airport Management. Nearly 93 percent of graduates are employed within six months of graduation.

The current library, like the old building to which it is attached, both have a 1940’s appearance. The library has the latest in computer technology, modern management, flight training and engineering materials. Vaughn will begin work on the new library in the summer of 2010 with an expected completion date of late 2011. A large new classroom & administration building was completed in 1998, and the college’s first residence hall with a capacity of 200 beds, was completed in 2007. Currently there are plans in the works to add another section to the main building to replace and enhance the existing library. Tuition and fees average between $32,000 and $65,000 for a four year degree.

Prior to obtaining a four-year degree at Vaughn College in some degree programs, one has to complete an internship performing the role for which the student has studied. Many students land their first post-graduate job in this manner. Vaughn has close ties to many airports and airlines due in part to its close proximity to the local airports such as JFK and LGA in Queens, Westchester and Farmingdale in New York, Teterboro and Newark in New Jersey, and several nearby airports in Connecticut.

Management

The management programs at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology includes general management, airline management and airport management. Graduates of these programs are able to secure entry-level to mid-level management positions in small or large corporations and in airports. The field of airport management is a unique discipline with its roots in general business, but driven by the high-tech world of aviation and transportation. Students of the airport management degree program concentrate on subjects as diverse as wildlife hazards, eco-system management, airfield safety, and emergency planning and control. The Bachelor of Science airport management degree was developed to provide students proficiency in all areas of airport operations. The location of the College, adjacent to LaGuardia Airport, provides a learning environment unsurpassed with regard to activities, resources and personnel. Students are given the ability to investigate first-hand the areas of airport management, control of ground vehicles, communication systems, airport security, fire and rescue service, terminal planning and management, and airport maintenance.

Engineering & Technology

Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology offers bachelor and associate degree programs in the field of technology including electronic engineering technology with an avionics concentration and electronic technology with a concentration in general electronics. The mechanical engineering technology program offers concentrations in computer-aided design and aeronautical options, as well as the associate in applied science degrees in computerized design and animated graphics and pre-engineering.

Aviation

Vaughn College has designed degree programs for aviation school students interested in becoming professional pilots and other entry-level operations careers in the aviation industry, as well as related government agencies. All aircraft operations (flight) degree programs offered by Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology include the academic liberal arts and sciences, as well as specific courses in flight that also count as the "ground school" portion of flight instruction. In order to complete Vaughn College's degree programs, students must complete all degree requirements, as well as pass the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) written pilot exams. Students may also choose to complete an AAS or BS degree in aircraft operations without completing the flight portion. These students are also eligible to participate in the FAA's Air Traffic Control Collegiate Training Initiative. Students have the option of pursuing careers with aviation-related government agencies such as the FAA or the National Transportation Safety Board. FAA ground qualifications also assist students in a variety of aviation careers, including ground instructor, flight dispatcher, accident investigator, aviation administrator and aviation researcher.

International & Distance Learning

India

Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology, Yamnampet, Ghatkesar, Hyderabad, India is an Engineering Institution offering various UG & PG courses in Engineering and Technology in the State of Andhra Pradesh. Sreenidhi is approved and accredited by All India Council for Technical Education, Govt. of India, which is the apex body of Technical Education system of India. It is affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad. Sreenidhi is offering a number of aviation related B.S Courses in association with Vaughn-College of Aeronautics and Technology, with approval from All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

The National Board of Accreditation of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Govt. of India has approved the collaboration between Vaughn College and SNIST initially approved for offering three programs from fall of 2007: Electronics Engineering Technology (Avionics Option), Airline Management, and Airport Management. This arrangement provides Indian students an opportunity to earn Vaughn College’s Bachelor of Science degrees at SNIST campus in Hyderabad

Online

Since 1997, Vaughn College has been delivering bachelor and associate's degrees in aviation maintenance and aviation maintenance management programs to hundreds of students using one of two methods: teleconferencing and the web. This program, features live, traditional classes telecast from the College to several corporate sites. These interactive classes are scheduled daily around the working shifts of employees. Face-to-face instruction is provided through company supported conference rooms and equipment. Major companies like United Technologies and Boeing are partners in delivering Vaughn’s learning programs.

References

1. ^ "Hudson Valley Women's Athletic Conference News - Hudson Valley Women's Athletic Conference (HVWAC)". http://www.hvwac.net/. Retrieved 2010-07-04. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Approved Air Traffic - Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) Schools". Federal Aviation Administration. http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/acquisition/aja51/cti/AT-CTI_Schools.cfm. Retrieved 2010-07-03. 
3. ^ "Middle States Commission on Higher Education". http://www.msche.org/institutions_view.asp?idinstitution=134. Retrieved 2010-07-04. 
4. ^ Levoy, Laurie (22 May 2010). "Local pioneer aviatrix, 3 others to be inducted into NJ aviation history Hall Of Fame". http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20100522/NEWS/100522007/Local-pioneer-aviatrix-3-others-to-be-inducted-into-NJ-aviation-history-Hall-Of-Fame-on-Tuesda. Retrieved 2010-07-03. 
5. ^ "Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology - Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report: Best Colleges 2010". http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/flushing-ny/vaughn-college-2665. Retrieved 04-07-2010. 

External links

• Official website
• "Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology - The Long Island Early Fliers Club". http://www.longislandearlyfliers.org/news_archive/08jan-vaughn.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-03.