We were so excited to enter our fourth year as a partnering site with the U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) Flight Academy Program, hosting 20 cadets on our main Lakeland campus this summer.
The cadets joined us on May 25 and will depart on July 20 after celebrating their completion of the program at a special graduation ceremony in the aircraft hangar of the Kingsky Flight Academy.
Since our inaugural year partnering with the AFJROTC Flight Academy in 2019, we have now hosted a grand total of 58 cadets.
About the Cadets
This year, we welcomed 18 AFJROTC cadets, one ROTC cadet, and one United States Air Force Academy cadet. The cadets originate from Utah, Oklahoma, Arizona, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
“These young men and women have excelled throughout their training. Their discipline and focus were key in many of them completing their private pilot’s license in less than eight weeks. They have truly displayed the level of professionalism expected of our future military or civilian pilots,” said Dr. Kenneth Stephens, chair of SEU Aviation.
We are one of three universities in Florida awarded a contract with the AFJROTC Flight Academy, and one of only 19 universities total participating in the program in 2024.
The Drive Behind the Program
The AFJROTC Flight Academy program provides scholarships for students to participate in its eight-week summer aviation training course. The program was created in efforts to combat the current national pilot shortage in the U.S., as well as to encourage diversity within the aviation industry.
As a part of successfully completing the program, the cadets receive their private pilot’s license, in addition to six college credits. A Private Pilot’s Certification allows an individual to fly a private aircraft anywhere as long as they are in compliance with the airspace regulations set by the country of destination.
Learn More
Last Year’s Cadets
SEU’s Aviation Programs
AAS in Aviation/Professional Pilot
BS in Aviation Management
Jannetides College of Business, Communication & Leadership
Apply to SEU
