The first of two fall open houses was held at Vaughn College on Saturday, November 9, with nearly 240 prospective students and their families coming out to hear about the College’s programs and campus life.

The crowd was welcomed by Vice President of Enrollment Services Ernie Shepelsky who described what the day at Vaughn would be like, from the information sessions in five undergraduate academic concentrations, to the series of hands-on interactive open house experiences.

Senior Vice President Dr. Sharon DeVivo followed, and spoke about Vaughn and the importance of finding the right fit for the college experience.  “If you want a small college with dedicated faculty and staff and excellent academic guidance, then Vaughn is the place for you.”

Prospective students attending the open house came from as far away as Oregon, Florida, Maine, Boston and Maryland. Interests ranged from animation and design to airport management and engineering. One student, Mikhail Nikitin, who recently relocated from Russia to Tarrytown, New York to attend the international boarding school, EF Academy, wants to come to Vaughn College next year.

“I have always been interested in robotics and have a lot of experience in this area already,” said Nikitin. “I am here today to learn more about aircraft operations and the mechatronics degree program offered at Vaughn.”

Many attendees came from the tri-state area and had learned about Vaughn from high school guidance fairs or through online searches of the College’s website.  Odami Anderson from It Takes a Village Academy in Brooklyn was very excited to be at the open house.  “I’ve been interested in Vaughn for quite some time and I’m here today to learn more about the programs the College offers in air traffic control, flight and maintenance.”

During a break between the sessions, College representatives were available to meet with prospective students including members of Vaughn’s athletic, alumni, career services and student affairs departments. The College also held an exciting raffle drawing for prizes that included a free flying lesson, Auto Cad student design software and an iPad Air.

In the aircraft operations (flight) academic session, Debra Henneberry, assistant professor in the aviation department and 10-year veteran pilot, reviewed how general aviation could lead to a variety of careers. “There is currently an increased demand for pilots and many opportunities for jobs with both private and commercial licenses,” she noted.

The engineering and technology session was introduced by Department Chair Dr. Hossein Rahemi, who was complemented by a group of engineering instructors who took turns reviewing the department offerings. Mechanical engineering technology, electrical engineering technology and the mechatronics programs were among the degrees covered.

Vaughn’s current renovation and soundproofing project was also a topic of discussion at this year’s open house. The project, slated to be completed this spring, includes soundproofing the campus, updating the College’s simulator lab, adding a new air traffic control lab and building a new library and teaching and learning center that will triple its current size.

OpenHouseF2013_Sharon    OpenHouseF2013_Mikhail

OpenHouseF2013_CareerSvcs    OpenHouseF2013_Canellis

VAUGHN COLLEGE’S FALL OPEN HOUSE:  Clockwise from top left, Dr. Sharon DeVivo welcomes attendees; prospective international student Mikhail Nikitin poses for a photo; representatives from career service answer questions from crowd; Professor Peter Canellis reviews management programs.