Coreil’s Career Corner: Evolution of Aviation Degree opportunities at LSUA
By Paul Coreil
Most readers are aware of the remarkable enrollment growth experienced by Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) over the past six to seven years. In a recent article, I highlighted this historic growth, from approximately 3,200 students in 2019 to nearly 9,000 students today. This continuing growth did not happen by accident. It is the result of the hard work and commitment of an outstanding faculty and staff, combined with tremendous support from the entire Central Louisiana community.
One of the most important drivers of LSUA’s growth has been the university’s commitment to responding to workforce needs across Central Louisiana and the state. The development and implementation of bachelor’s degrees in high-demand fields have provided students with opportunities to earn career-ready degrees close to home. Through ongoing communication with business and industry leaders, LSUA has worked to maintain a direct understanding of current and emerging workforce needs.
This approach is especially important for Central Louisiana. When students can earn a high-quality, job-ready degree close to home, they are more likely to remain in the region, establish careers and raise their families here. For many years, too many of our young people left Central Louisiana to attend college elsewhere and never returned. Developing degree programs that connect directly with regional employment opportunities is one important way LSUA can help reverse that trend.
Responding to critical aviation needs
One of the most significant examples of this workforce-focused approach was the development of LSUA’s aviation degree programs.
In 2020, LSUA was approached by the England Authority, which operates Alexandria International Airport, about developing a partnership to address a growing shortage of professional pilots and aviation-related personnel. The England Authority recognized that the availability of commercial airline service in Central Louisiana—and throughout the state—depends in part on having an adequate supply of qualified aviation professionals.
At the time, the aviation industry was facing a significant demographic challenge. Many experienced airline pilots from the Baby Boomer generation were approaching the mandatory retirement age of 65. At the same time, passenger air travel continued to grow, creating an even greater need for new pilots. The industry was facing the prospect of thousands of experienced pilots retiring while universities and flight schools struggled to produce replacements quickly enough.
Although discussions about the need for additional aviation professionals had occurred previously, LSUA had never formally moved through the necessary approval processes to establish aviation degree programs. The partnership with the England Authority provided the catalyst to turn those discussions into reality.
So, in 2021, LSUA developed a formal proposal for baccalaureate-level degree concentrations in both Professional Aviation (Commercial Pilot) and Aviation Management. Because the Professional Aviation curriculum would require substantial flight training and associated costs, legislative approval was also needed for the course fees necessary to support the program.
During the 2021 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature, House Bill 410 was introduced to address these requirements. The legislation passed both the House and Senate unanimously—a remarkable accomplishment. Governor John Bel Edwards signed the legislation on June 18, 2021, making Act 412 of the 2021 Regular Session law.
This action cleared an important hurdle and allowed LSUA to proceed with the necessary approvals by the LSU Board of Supervisors and the Louisiana Board of Regents for the new aviation programs. Final approval was subsequently received for the programs as General Studies bachelor’s degree concentrations in Spring 2022.
From vision to reality
Once the programs were approved, LSUA immediately began marketing the new aviation opportunities through social media, traditional media and other recruitment efforts. The response was immediate and impressive.
Interest in the Professional Aviation program came not only from students throughout Louisiana but also from outside the state. The opportunity to earn a four-year degree while receiving the flight training necessary for a professional aviation career proved to be an attractive combination.
Strong community and industry partnerships were essential to making the programs successful.
Million Air Alexandria became an important partner in supporting the LSUA aviation initiative. Its involvement has provided valuable internships and part-time employment opportunities to program students while also contributing to the personnel and hangar resources needed to support flight training and aviation education.
The England Authority also made a significant investment in the program by purchasing a commercial flight simulator and providing additional training facilities near Alexandria International Airport for LSUA students.
LSUA also established a relationship with Gulf Coast Aviation, a highly professional flight school that provides the specialized flight training required by students pursuing the Professional Aviation degree.
Together, these partnerships created an educational model that combines university coursework with hands-on aviation training and direct connections to the aviation industry.
Milestone for LSUA
Within three to four years, more than 70 students had formally enrolled in LSUA’s two aviation degree programs, with the majority pursuing Professional Aviation. The success of these programs ultimately led to another important milestone.
In March 2026, the existing Professional Aviation and Aviation Management concentrations were converted to a stand-alone degree, a Bachelor of Science in Aviation, following approval by the LSU Board of Supervisors and the Louisiana Board of Regents.
This was an important achievement, not only for LSUA, but also for the aviation workforce throughout Central Louisiana. What began as a response to a workforce challenge had developed into established four-year degree opportunities preparing students for careers in a growing industry.
To date, approximately 12 students have successfully graduated from the two programs and entered aviation-related careers. Professional Aviation graduates are continuing to accumulate the flight hours and experience necessary to advance toward careers as commercial airline pilots. The flight-hour requirements for airline careers can be substantial, making the combination of a four-year degree and structured flight training particularly valuable.
Graduates pursuing professional airline careers have opportunities to eventually fly for major carriers serving Louisiana and communities across the nation, including airlines such as Delta, United and American.
Preparing for future
The development of aviation degrees at LSUA is a great example of how a regional university can respond directly to the workforce needs of its community.
The aviation industry will continue to need highly trained pilots, aviation managers and other aviation professionals. Thousands of experienced airline pilots are expected to retire over the coming decade, while continued growth in air travel will create additional demand for qualified personnel.
LSUA is helping address that challenge by providing students with an opportunity to pursue aviation careers while remaining close to home. With only LSUA and Louisiana Tech University offering aviation degree opportunities in Louisiana, expanding the number of graduates entering the aviation workforce will be increasingly important.
The success of these programs also demonstrates an important lesson about higher education: universities are most valuable to their communities when they listen, respond and build partnerships around real workforce needs.
The LSUA aviation programs would not have become a reality without the vision and support of the England Authority, the partnership of Million Air Alexandria and Gulf Coast Aviation, the support of the LSU Board of Supervisors and Louisiana Board of Regents, and the leadership of the Louisiana Legislature.
As I reflect on my years as Chancellor of LSUA, the development of these aviation programs is one of many examples of what can happen when a university, its community and industry leaders work together toward a common goal.
The ultimate beneficiaries are the students—and a resulting strong economic future for Central Louisiana. By providing access to high-quality aviation degrees and career opportunities, LSUA is helping prepare the next generation of aviation professionals while giving more young people a reason to build their careers and their lives right here in our region.
That is exactly what a regional university should do. Until next time, Paul Coreil
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