Iowa Community Colleges Aviation Programs Get Boost from Grant Funding

Adam Townsend has dedicated his life to being a mechanic and is on track to make it his career after completing his training at Indian Hills Community College. His interest in aviation sparked during high school, and while considering becoming a pilot, he found that aviation maintenance at a nearby college with a strong program was the perfect match for his passions.

In his second year in the program, Townsend is gaining valuable experience through an internship in Des Moines and looks forward to transitioning into a full-time role post-graduation. He commended Indian Hills Community College for the federal grant recognition, affirming the high quality and significance of the school’s training.

The Federal Aviation Administration has allocated nearly $1.3 million to enhance aviation training programs at three Iowa community colleges. Indian Hills Community College and Iowa Western Community College will receive $302,816 and $500,000, respectively, for their aviation maintenance programs, while Iowa Lakes Community College has been granted $493,657 for its aviation initiatives.

The grants will enable each college to acquire new equipment, including virtual reality systems and drones, to enhance their aviation programs. Kimberly Dreaden, Program Director at Indian Hills Community College North Campus, emphasized the importance of hands-on learning aids to help students grasp intricate aviation maintenance concepts.

Virtual reality technology will not only benefit current students but also allow outreach to high schoolers interested in pursuing careers in aviation mechanics. Kyle Norris, an executive dean at Iowa Lakes Community College, outlined plans to expand into innovative technologies like drones and rotary wing piloting, aiming to attract more students to the aviation field.

Partnerships with schools and employers will be strengthened to promote aviation programs and support students financially through stipends and scholarships. The colleges recognize the financial challenges students may face when investing in tools and certification exams and seek to alleviate these burdens to foster student success.

Diana Garcia, dean at Iowa Western Community College, highlighted the positive impact of previous grant funding on partnerships and student engagement. Beth Elman, marketing executive director at Iowa Lakes Community College, emphasized the grants’ role in shaping the future of students and the aviation industry as a whole.