After high school, Natelie Chappell could choose any path she wanted, given her intelligence, work ethic, and athletic ability. The New Cumberland, West Virginia graduate was confident she would excel in college, though even she couldn’t have predicted her college career would produce such a wide array of awards and scholarships. Given these accolades and her current career with the FAA, Ms. Chappell clearly chose the right path as a student of air traffic control in the Community College of Beaver County’s rigorous Aviation Sciences Department. Ms. Chappell is just one of many CCBC students who excel today in one of the most exciting and demanding fields of aviation science. Ms. Chappell and other CCBC Aviation Sciences alumni benefitted from exceptional vocational resources, including a student-operated control tower, one of only two student-run towers in the U.S. Adding this practicum in the tower while an associate degree candidate provides CCBC students with a considerable advantage when applying for jobs as an Air Traffic Controller. Given the skillset required for the job, Air Traffic Controllers are also very well compensated during their careers. Salaries range from $70,000 to $240,000, depending on experience and location. CCBC developed its Aviation Sciences program over 50 years ago. Located at the Beaver County Airport, the James M. Johnson School of Aviation Sciences enjoys a national reputation as a training facility of the highest standard. American Airlines recently recognized the department as a “Top Innovative Aviation Organization” for the second consecutive year. The department’s air-traffic control program has few peers, having placed air-traffic control graduates in every major control tower in the U.S.A. High school graduates like Ms. Chappell and students at CCBC’s Aviation High School Academy enter the Aviation Sciences program knowing they will most likely find a position in a control tower or cockpit waiting for them. “We believe together we are making the aviation professions more visible, accessible and obtainable to a broader range of young people than ever before,” says Dr. Roger W. Davis, president of CCBC. Ms. Chappell certainly made herself visible to future employers. Nominated as Outstanding Air Traffic Control Student in 2017, she was also named to the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference 2017 All-Academic Team as a runner on the college’s cross-country team. Upon graduation from CCBC, the outstanding student received the CCBC Foundation’s Merle A. Moltrup Aviation Scholarship to study at Southern Illinois University for her bachelor’s degree. While studying at SIU she received the Michael R. Peters Aviation Scholarship. Today she works in a coveted position as an Air Traffic Control Specialist with the Federal Aviation Administration in Washington D.C. Ms. Chappell’s academic and vocational career is emblematic of the CCBC Aviation Sciences graduate, and she is not the only Chappell who built their foundation at CCBC. Her brother, Jayson Chappell, is currently co-enrolled as a Professional Pilot student in the James M. Johnson School of Aviation Sciences and SIU’s Aviation Management program. Like the Chappells, CCBC students develop a broad skill set that yields a career in non-radar/radar air traffic control procedures for work with the federal government, private industry, or military services. Taught by FAA and VA-approved operators, Air Traffic Control students are among the most sought-after professionals in the aviation industry. A mandatory retirement age of just 56-years old mandates openings for recent graduates. In addition to CCBC’s Air Traffic Control program, the James M. Johnson School of Aviation Sciences offers a full spectrum of associate degrees in the field. An aeronautics enthusiast will find programs of study in Aerospace Management, Aviation Instructor in addition to the Professional Pilot degree. You don’t even have to wait for college to begin your pursuit of an aviation career, thanks to the innovative CCBC Aviation Academy dual enrollment program for high school students. CCBC created the Aviation High School Academy for highly motivated young people who know they want to pursue a career in aviation. These talented individuals enjoy access to the Aviation Sciences Center at the Beaver County Airport while earning up to half the credits needed to complete an associate degree - saving themselves time and their parents money as they pursue their dream of flight. The Center features state-of-the-art flight simulators, classrooms, and labs. In addition to a demanding STEM curriculum, these precocious students receive exciting hands-on tutorials in the Redbird flight simulator. Academy programs also include every regular degree program except the Aviation Instructor Certification. CCBC Aviation Sciences students also take advantage of a robust alumni network. Many graduates like Ms. Chappell, who returned to campus in March 2019, discuss their career path, strategies that assisted their vocational ascent, and answer questions from current students that cover a broad range of topics. Ms. Chappell specifically shared employment opportunities at the FAA as well as the obvious benefits from vigorously pursuing the exceptional education at CCBC and its partner institutions. The Community College of Beaver County has long held an important position in the local community, with one in 25 local jobs associated with the college and its graduates. With CCBC grads working as Air Traffic Controllers in every airport tower across America and flying as professional pilots for all major airlines, the College’s James M. Johnson School of Aviation Sciences’ influence is seen across the nation. If you, a family member or friend is interested in following Natelie Chappell and many others upon a path toward a career as an Air Traffic Controller, visit the CCBC website to learn how your future can soar.