As the demand for more pilots and maintenance technicians continues, Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan plans to grow its College of Aviation campus located at nearby W. K. Kellogg Airport in Battle Creek, Michigan (BTL).
The university said a 35 percent growth in student demand over the past five years, created the need to add a new 67,000 sq. ft. building to provide added classroom space, a computer room, a state-of-the-art simulation center. The new location, expected to be completed by the summer of 2020, will also include a research center, student briefing rooms, as well as faculty office space, a cafe, amenities and upgrades in technology and laboratories. The entire project is expected to cost $20 million and was funded in part by a $15 million grant from the State of Michigan.
Ranked as one of the top three collegiate aviation programs nationally, WMU’s College of Aviation student body has reached nearly 1,000. WMU’s undergraduate programs include aviation flight science, aviation management and operations, and aviation technical operations.
