The new Tulsa Community College Riverside Community Campus and Aviation Center is designed to fuel the growth of Tulsa’s aeronautical industry. Tulsa Community College and the Jenks community celebrated the grand opening of the new facility at the Richard L. Jones, Jr. Airport.
The facility houses the Aviation Sciences academic programs including Professional Pilot, Air Traffic Control, Aviation Management, and Aviation Logistics as well as concurrent enrollment and university-transfer general education classes.
“We are proud to broaden our commitment to aviation sciences education to keep pace with industry standards,” TCC President & CEO Leigh B. Goodson said. “TCC has been supportive and responsive of Tulsa’s aerospace and aviation industry community for the past 45 years.”
TCC purchased the building in 2012 and began renovations in 2015. The 55,000-square-foot facility is home to TCC’s $1.4 million air traffic control classroom; a simulation lab that includes a full-motion flight training simulator and two other aviation simulators; and a fleet of six technically-advanced aircraft for students in the professional pilot program.
In addition, the facility has advanced, high-tech instructional space for aviation and general education college courses. Students will be able to take a number of general education classes and this fall more than 100 Jenks High School students will be concurrently enrolled in college classes.
“School leaders covet partnerships such as the one Jenks enjoys with TCC because the work we are doing together enables us to answer the academic needs of students as well as the employment requirements of today’s workforce,” Jenks Public Schools Superintendent Stacey Butterfield said. “I am thrilled TCC is making this investment for our young people.”