A local college launched a new program that is set to take students to new heights.
Texarkana College held a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday morning for its new Aviation Technology program wing, located at Texarkana Regional Airport. The event was attended by multiple community officials, dignitaries, as well as faculty and students of the college.
TC’s Brandon Washington, the vice president of Campus Operations and Dean of Workforce Education, specifically recognized the program’s first class of students. The students stood near the side of the audience, distinguished by their red shirts with a program patch sewn on it.
“They had an opportunity to enroll in the program… they’re from all around the world, they have a bunch of different life experiences,” Washington said. “We’re very grateful that they’ve paused their lives, they left jobs, they arranged for childcare… all of their routines were disrupted because this was important to them.”
Washington introduced the program director, Brandon Sanders, as someone who had aspired to work in aviation technology since he was in high school.
“We’re very fortunate to have Brandon here to lead the program, he brings a wealth of experience in the aviation industry,” Washington said. “From the U.S. Army and at Boeing, he’s shown his true passion towards meeting the needs here at Aviation Mechanics.”
TC’s Vice President of Finance Brad Hoover said the board approved a $1.2 million capital budget for the program to get up and running. The finance VP said the final total for the kickoff of the program came out to about $900,000.
“There was another program at another college in Arkansas that closed down and they sold us a lot of their old equipment,” Hoover said.
Sanders gave out a multitude of patches to officials who assisted in the establishment of the program. Recipients were Carl Anderson, Texarkana Regional Airport Director Paul Mehrlich, Dr. Jason Smith, Dr. Donna McDaniel, Gary VanDeaver, Hoover, City of Texarkana, Texas’ City Manager David Orr, Dixon Boyles, Washington, Suzy Irwin and many others.
Sanders said the program’s end goal is to graduate 300 mechanics within one calendar year.
“The 300 number was generated from talking to United Airlines,” Sanders said, speaking of a potential partnership with the airlines.
Sanders said the college is linked with the regional airport, which, along with trade show attendance, would increase the number of graduates staying in the area to boost the local economy.
“Texarkana is a package deal,” Sanders said. “It’s not just the airport but also the people on the airport.”
Aviation Mechanics student Brian Briggs said he joined the program because he was looking to become involved in something different and get into a new career.
“I just enjoy learning new stuff,” Briggs said.
The program is located at the TC Hangar at the Texarkana Regional Airport and has a two year associate’s degree program, as well as a one year certificate program.
https://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/2025/jan/13/texarkana-college-officially-launches-aviation