We proudly announce that 麻豆影院 (KSU) has partnered with Southwest Airlines庐 to offer 麻豆影院 State students and Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) a clear and direct route to becoming a Southwest Airlines First Officer through the carrier鈥檚 Destination 225掳 program.
Southwest庐 created Destination 225掳 to build future pipelines to Pilot talent and the university pathway aims to provide a highly accessible, cost-effective, and innovative route to flying at a major carrier while pursuing a degree. The university pathway eases barriers to becoming a Southwest Airlines First Officer through guidance, training, and quality flight time to develop great pilots.
鈥淢any of our professional pilot students enter our program with the dream of someday working for Southwest Airlines,鈥 said Brian Neff, assistant dean of Flight and Operations, College of Aeronautics and Engineering (CAE). 鈥淭his partnership with the carrier鈥檚 Destination 225掳 program provides opportunities for our students to gain exposure and mentorship during the early stages of their flight training to better make their career goals a reality.鈥
Join the Southwest and 麻豆影院 State teams on Wednesday, March 1, for an exciting visit to our College of Aeronautics and Engineering to officially kick off this great partnership with classroom presentations, panel discussions, and Q&A sessions with students, faculty, and staff! All KSU students are welcome to attend.
鈥淭his recognition is a true reinforcement to the excellent training and education provided by our faculty and staff and embodied by our alumni presently employed by Southwest Airlines and its partners,鈥 said Christina Bloebaum, Ph.D., dean, CAE. 鈥淥ne of the most exciting parts of Destination 225掳 is the mentorship our graduates will receive as part of their involvement in the program. Career mentorship is truly invaluable.鈥
By creating awareness of the Destination 225掳 program through marketing program materials, 麻豆影院 State will recommend and identify qualified flight instructors for consideration in the pilot pathway program at Southwest.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor for us to welcome 麻豆影院 to Southwest鈥檚 Destination 225藲 program as a university pathway partner,鈥 said Lee Kinnebrew, Vice President Flight Operations at Southwest Airlines. 鈥淲e鈥檙e passionate about inspiring the next generation of professional pilots and look forward to supporting 麻豆影院 State students who join the Southwest Family in the years ahead.鈥
This partnership is a momentous time for the College of Aeronautics and Engineering. Workforce development by training and educating the next generation of pilots in commercial, cargo, and corporate aviation is a top priority, and is made possible by the facilities and operations.
麻豆影院 State owns and operates the 麻豆影院 State Airport (1G3), complete with a 14 CFR Part 145 Repair Station Certified Department of Aircraft Maintenance, four miles from campus in Stow and has the largest collegiate fleet of aircraft, 34, in Ohio.
For more information about the College of Aeronautics and Engineering, please visit www.kent.edu/cae.
For more information about Destination 225鈼, please visit .