Cooperative Agreement NGAWM000224

NORTH DAKOTA STATE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE (NDSCS) IS APPLYING AS AN ACCREDITED INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 101 OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965. NDSCS IS ACCREDITED THROUGH THE HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION. THE REAFFIRMATION LETTER OF AUGUST 15, 2016 CONFIRMED NDSCSS ACCREDITATION THROUGH 2025-26. NDSCS IS APPLYING UNDER ELIGIBLE PROJECT CATEGORY A: PROJECTS THAT ESTABLISH NEW EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT TEACH TECHNICAL SKILLS USED IN AVIATION MAINTENANCE, INCLUDING PURCHASING EQUIPMENT, OR TO IMPROVE EXISTING PROGRAMS. IN THE ND FLY HIGH: CAREER PATHWAYS FOR AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS PROJECT, NDSCS WILL: DEVELOP AN ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE IN AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOP COLLABORATIONS WITH LOCAL REGIONAL AVIATION ORGANIZATIONS FACILITATE FAA PART 147 CERTIFICATIONTO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS, NDSCS WILL HIRE AN AVIATION MAINTENANCE PROGRAM COORDINATOR TO LEAD THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE IN AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY. UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE AVIATION MAINTENANCE PROGRAM COORDINATOR AND THE ASSOCIATE DEAN OF TRANSPORTATION, NDSCS WILL BUILD PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL REGIONAL AVIATION ENTITIES TO FACILITATE THE CREATION OF DEDICATED LAB AND CLASSROOM SPACES FOR INSTRUCTION IN AVIATION MAINTENANCE IN FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA. JOB SERVICE NORTH DAKOTA PREDICTS A 21.2% GROWTH IN AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN POSITIONS FOR REGION 5 IN WHICH FARGO IS THE LARGEST CITY. UTILIZING THE EXPERTISE OF A CONSULTANT, NDSCS WILL COMPLETE THE PROCESS FOR FAA PART 147 CERTIFICATION. THE AVIATION MAINTENANCE PROGRAM COORDINATOR WILL HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE NDSCS PRESIDENT, ASSOCIATE DEAN OF TRANSPORTATION, THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS, THE GRANTS DIRECTOR, THE BUSINESS OFFICE, THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, AND THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT IN FULFILLING THE TASKS TO ACCOMPLISH EACH OF THE STATED GOALS. BY THE END OF A TWO-YEAR GRANT AWARD, NDSCS WILL ENROLL ITS FIRST COHORT OF AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS.