Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology is committed to providing its nearly 1,500 students with an unparalleled educational experience in the fields of engineering, technology, management and aviation. Significant investments made recently in learning environment, degree programs and academic resources have enhanced the value of a Vaughn degree. While many families worry about the affordability of a college education, Vaughn remains committed to providing its students with a private college experience at a highly competitive tuition rate: 90 percent of students receive some type of financial aid. Vaughn College was just ranked number one in upward mobility among 2,137 colleges according to a study reported in The New York Times. This means Vaughn is fulfilling its mission by moving students from the bottom 40 percent to the top 40 percent in income. Vaughn was also recently ranked as one of the top colleges for your money by Money magazine. Counselors work directly with parents and students to craft a competitive financial aid package to satisfy the needs of every family. Vaughn’s faculty and staff support students at every step of their educational journey, helping them achieve their goal of a college degree.
Vaughn’s student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1 ensures that students benefit from a personalized learning environment. Faculty and staff know students as individuals and work with them to enhance their college experience. A fully-staffed career development office provides year-round opportunities for on-campus recruitment, employment and internships, and a new career services digital interface links students to opportunities nationwide.
Recent improvements in laboratory equipment have significantly added to the Vaughn experience. A leading-edge engineering lab allows students to experience the application of automation technology through the use of robotic devices, a new chemistry lab and a new energy conversion and smart grid power system lab have also been added. The College’s engineering curriculum also provides students with the understanding and application of design software such as SolidWorks and CATIA (Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Interactive Application) found in a variety of industries.
A $1-million flight simulator laboratory enables students to take off alongside a member of the flight faculty to complement the learning experience. Partnerships with flight training institutions enable students to pursue Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight certifications and ratings. Vaughn recently expanded the current training program with an air traffic control simulation laboratory that allows students to train on the same state-of-the-art equipment used by the FAA.
A two-story library and academic success center opened in 2014. It provides students and faculty with a one-stop location for research materials, academic support services and technology support. This new library is double the size of the previous facility and is part of a recent investment of more than $45 million in Vaughn’s campus.
Vaughn’s curriculum, faculty and overall academic reputation earned it a place in the U.S. News & World Report survey of “The Best Regional Colleges in the North” for the eighth year in a row. This recognition is reflected in a recently awarded $4.3-million grant to create new engineering programs and additional laboratory equipment and academic support for students. In 2015 Vaughn added new Bachelor of Science degrees in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and aeronautical sciences.
Vaughn is also one of the only institutions in New York to offer a degree in mechatronic engineering and is one of three institutions in the country that received accreditation for the program by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET. An Associate of Occupational Studies in aviation maintenance along with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airframe and powerplant certification is available through Vaughn’s Aviation Training Institute and the College offers a non-degree course of study in air traffic control and safety management systems. Vaughn was recently awarded a $2.6-million grant over five years to create retention and graduation strategies to serve its students.
It’s no wonder that more than 98 percent of Vaughn graduates are employed or continue their education within one year of graduation with 81 percent employed in their field of study. Recent graduates have pursued advanced degrees at such institutions as Columbia, Stony Brook and Texas A&M. Vaughn’s own master’s degree in airport management is uniquely targeted to an industry that employs thousands and contributes significantly to the regional economy.
Vaughn recognizes that the college experience also takes place outside of the classroom. The College’s residence hall features panoramic views of Manhattan and a staff eager to assist students in taking advantage of all that New York City has to offer. An array of clubs and organizations are available to students, including the Robotics Club, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Club, American Association of Airport Executives–Student Chapter, Women in Aviation, International and the Hispanic Society of Aeronautical Engineers. Vaughn also competes in intercollegiate athletics as a member of the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (HVIAC), a confederation of four-year colleges in the metropolitan area. The eight intercollegiate sports programs Vaughn offers — men’s and women’s basketball, men’s soccer and baseball, men’s and women’s cross country and men’s and women’s tennis — are specifically tailored to the needs of the student body.
Since its establishment in 1932, Vaughn College has met each decade’s challenges with a bold commitment to remain on the leading edge of education and technology. As in the past, this year students took part in learning communities in which two courses were paired with the same group of students. Interesting pairings included global civilization with physics; engineering math with thermal analysis; English with developmental math; and physics for engineers with calculus for engineers. Faculty in both courses worked together to provide at least three points of curriculum intersection, and students were able to see the application of concepts in both courses. This is just one example of the commitment faculty have to the quality of the learning experience at Vaughn. Vaughn recently refined its general education curriculum to allow students to make selections based on their areas of interest, allow for ease of transfer credits and provide faculty with the option of offering new courses.
Students also have the opportunity to engage in internships with engineering, management and aviation-related companies such as United Technologies Corporation, NASA and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. This real-world experience helps students to explore career options as well as build expertise in their field of study.
Find out if Vaughn is the right institution for you. Visit vaughn.edu, e-mail admitme@vaughn.edu or call 1-866-6VAUGHN. Visit Vaughn on Facebook at www.facebook.com/VaughnCollegeFB and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/vaughncollege or @VaughnCollege. Vaughn looks forward to meeting you and supporting your pursuit of a Next Generation Education.