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Clark State Community College Selected for FAA Training Program, Int Clark State Community College has been selected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems-Collegiate Training Initiative Program, or the UAS-CTI. “Clark State is excited to be officially recognized as a partner with the FAA under the UAS-CTI program,” said Dr. Aimee BelangerHaas, dean of business and applied technologies for Clark State. “Having this designation recognizes the quality of our program in preparing students for opportunities and careers in the UAS/ drone field.” The FAA’s UAS-CTI program recognizes institutions that prepare students for careers in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones. In order to qualify for the initiative, schools must offer a bachelor’s or associate degree in UAS or a degree with a minor, concentration, or certificate in UAS. Schools must provide curriculum covering various aspects of UAS training, including hands-on flight practice, maintenance, uses, applications, privacy concerns, safety, and federal policies concerning UAS.
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“The Clark State Geospatial program started in 2010 has continued to evolve and innovate relative to our local workforce needs,” said Belanger-Haas. “Our students are prepared to work in various fields, including but not limited to the defense industry, urban planning, engineering, municipal management, business, and environmental studies. Having this new UAS certificate only enhances our graduates’ capabilities and increases their marketability.” Dr. Adam John Parrillo, associate professor and GIS/ Geospatial program coordinator at Clark State, said the FAA has introduced a new way to coordinate communication between educational institutions that has endeavored to educate and train UAS professionals. “This network will assist institutions to share experiences and hone their programs with best practices as the commercial industry continues to develop," he said. In addition to the partnership with the FAA, Clark State has also introduced a UAS Operations and GIS Image Analysis certificate that is designed to provide the technical background necessary to
