Elizabeth City, N.C. — With a ceremonial snip of the ribbon and the hum of drone propellers in the background, Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) officially opened its long-awaited Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Drone Classroom—a hub for drone education, training and research in one of the nation’s fastest-growing industries.
The new 1,026-square-foot classroom, located adjacent to the university’s existing drone pavilion, marks the latest advancement in ECSU’s nationally recognized UAS program. University leaders, faculty and students gathered last week, April 7, to commemorate the milestone alongside construction partners and community supporters.
“Today marks a proud moment in ECSU’s continued leadership in drone technology and innovation,” said Interim Chancellor Catherine Edmonds. “This facility represents a bold step forward in preparing our students for leadership in aerospace technology. We are not only meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving field, but we are also setting the standard and preparing students for the future of aviation and advancing workforce development.”
Architect Ben Cahoon of Cahoon + Kastens Architects, P.C., designed the facility, and Muter Construction completed the construction. The UAS Drone Classroom combines functionality and innovation. The building will serve as a hub for coursework, simulations, mission planning and debriefings. It complements ECSU’s 250-foot-by-100-foot drone flight pavilion, which broke ground in 2022 and provides students with a real-world outdoor training environment.
“ECSU students are gaining the skills to ensure that they remain first in the future of flight, which is drones and advanced air mobility,” said Kuldeep Rawat, Thorpe Endowed professor and dean of the School of Science, Aviation, Health and Technology and director of the university’s aviation programs. “This classroom is an essential piece of that journey.”
As the only four-year institution in North Carolina authorized by the FAA to offer a degree in unmanned aircraft systems, ECSU has steadily expanded its aviation and drone-related infrastructure. The classroom and adjacent pavilion form a cohesive, state-of-the-art training complex that will support student learning and workforce development in civilian and commercial drone operations.
“This investment reinforces our commitment to preparing students with knowledge and skills needed to excel in the rapidly evolving drone and aviation field,” said Rawat.
With the ribbon officially cut, classes and training sessions will begin immediately in the new space. For ECSU students eager to launch careers in UAS operations, nothing’s out of reach.