Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology

Vaughn College of Aeronautics & Technology
Motto "praescientia et praestantia"
Motto in English
Vision and Excellence
Type Private
Space grant
Established 1932 - Renamed in 2004
Endowment $3.5 million (2014)[1]
President Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo
Academic staff
135+
Undergraduates 2000 (Spring 2014)r
Location Flushing, 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
Newspaper Vaughn Magazine
Colours Maroon and White          
Nickname Warriors
Affiliations Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Website www.vaughn.edu

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 private specialized aviation and engineering college located adjacent to LaGuardia Airport in East Elmhurst, Queens, New York, United States. It was founded in Newark, New Jersey in 1932, and moved to New York City in 1940. The college's most recent name change, to honor a founder, was on September 1, 2004.

It provides Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree 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 Engineering, Electrical Engineering 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. The associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Avionics, the associate in applied science (AAS) degree in Aeronautical Engineering Technology and the bachelor of science (BS) degree in Electronic Engineering Technology, as well as the Bachelor of Science (B.S) degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). It is believed that Vaughn College has strong relations with aerospace industries like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.[2]

History

In 1929, 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 WWI, 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. In the fall of 1964, the Academy of Aeronautics conferred associate in applied science degrees for the first time, and, in 1969, the Academy was accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. In 1996, the College completely revised its curriculum 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 addition to the building complex was completed. It includes a 65-foot observation tower providing a spectacular view of the runways at LaGuardia airport.

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 curriculum 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. 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 36 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 36 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]

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's degree in Airport Management.

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. Tuition fees average between $32,000 and $88,000 for a Bachelor's Degree

Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology has also received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), located in Olathe, Kansas. The business programs in the following degrees are accredited by the IACBE:

Associate of Applied Science in Airport Management and Bachelor of Science in Airport Management, Airline Management and General Management

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 John F. Kennedy International Airport and LGA in Queens, Westchester and Farmingdale in New York, Teterboro and Newark, New Jersey, and several nearby airports in Connecticut.

Vaughn provides learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom. From clubs and activities to internships, site visits and more, students have an opportunity to build a resume while attending college. Vaughn's smaller size enables faculty to remain engaged in the intellectual development of their students, and its active alumni network and location in the heart of the New York metropolitan area provide ample opportunities for internships and post-graduate employment. Nearly 93 percent of graduates are employed within six months of graduation.

Library

The library is currently housed in a building separate from the main campus. The library has management, flight training and engineering materials, as well as flight simulators. Vaughn began work on the new library in the spring of 2012. As of December 2012, the construction is unfinished. Numerous, minor fires have caused serious setbacks to the original renovation schedule. Several classes are held in the Residence hall's lounges due to this construction.

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. A bachelor of science (B.S.) is also offered in Mechatronics Engineering. This program has received accreditation by ABET.

Dining Hall

Vaughn has a small cafeteria located in the basement of the main building. In the 2011-2012 academic year, several complaints were raised against the then current staff of the cafeteria. The 2012-2013 staff is completely new.

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.

ROTC

Students may participate in the Air Force ROTC program headquartered at Manhattan College.[6] Students may participate in the U.S. Army ROTC program[6] through NYC Army ROTC, headquartered at Fordham University.[7]

References

External links

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