Elizabeth City State University, United Airlines Launch Partnership

Elizabeth City State University and United Airlines Aviate pilot career development program have partnered to train a new generation of pilots. On Friday, Aug. 27, on the ECSU campus, university officials will be joined by United Airlines representatives to launch a partnership that seeks to not only train future pilots, but also bring more women and people of color into the ranks of commercial aviation.

“This partnership is an exciting next step for our aviation program and for our aviation students,” said ECSU Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon. “Through this partnership with United Airlines, ECSU is able to establish a pipeline to commercial aviation for our students, offering them unprecedented access to careers in aviation.”

According to ECSU’s dean of the School of Aviation, Emergency Management, Health and Technology, Dr. Kuldeep Rawat, this exclusive partnership with United Airlines brings the most direct route to a job offer for ECSU aviation students with United Airlines.

“United Airlines staff will provide support and coaching to help our students on their journey to become a United Airlines pilot, which includes access to senior leadership, site visits and tours, and certain travel privileges.”

On Friday, Aug. 27, ECSU and United Airlines officials will gather at the university’s Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center at 10 a.m. to celebrate this new partnership. Among the United Airlines representatives present at the ceremony, will be the first the African American female pilot for the U.S. Air Force, Capt. Theresa Claiborne, now a United pilot.

In April, United Airlines announced its plan to hire and train 5,000 new pilots through the United Aviate Academy with at least 50 percent women or people of color.