Cat Foster
News Reporter

A new name isn’t the only change that Mesa State could potentially face in the next year. Western Colorado Community College, a division of MSC, is hoping to add seven new areas of study to their growing variety of programs. Among those areas are two programs for aspiring pilots.
In partnership with the Colorado Flight Center, WCCC will offer flying classes to students. The implementation of college credit is what will make this program different from what it is now. This also means that students in the program can apply for, and possibly receive scholarships and financial aid.
The piloting programs being offered are a technical certificate in aviation technology for both fixed-wing aircrafts and helicopters. The certification can be acquired in two years.
“There are numerous scholarships available to students seeking professional pilot training,” Colorado Flight Center co-owner Bradley Sullivan said.
Along with community college tuition for regular classes, there is a fee of about $90,000 for a two-year certificate. Something that, with the classes qualifying for college credit, financial aid and scholarships will help with.
“This is an example of how Mesa State and Western Colorado Community College listen to the needs of employers and prospective employees and their general constituency,” MSC Director of Media Relations Dana Nunn said.
The programs have been agreed upon by the MSC Board of Trustees, but have yet to meet approval from the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. WCCC hopes to start the programs in August, which means that the Colorado Commission on Higher Education must make a decision during their May 6 meeting.
Although the tuition and flying fees seem steep, Colorado Flight Center co-owner and General Manager, Colin Fay, said that there are job opportunities for someone who has a technical certificate in aviation technology. As with any job, the initial years aren’t particularly profitable. However, after several years of experience, pilots can earn as much as $300,000 each year.
Among the other programs that WCCC hopes to offer are two-year technical certificates in medical office assistance, insurance, and energy management/landman. A four-year program in exercise science as a bachelor of science and a new concentration of fitness and health promotion under the kinesiology degree will also be proposed.

cmfoster@mesastate.edu