Vaughn in the News

How is the FAA solving the air traffic controller shortage? News 4 New York reporter Greg Cergol visited Vaughn College’s simulation labs on 6/9/26  to find out. The segment follows graduates Bill Visconti and Brandon Jean-Pierre — two of nine students in the first class to complete Vaughn’s Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (Enhanced AT-CTI) — as they prepare to report to real air traffic control towers around the country.
Under the new federal initiative, colleges like Vaughn can now provide the enhanced air traffic control training that was previously available only at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City — a limitation that capped the number of controller candidates nationwide. With roughly 11,000 controllers currently on the job and federal officials estimating 3,000 more are needed, Vaughn’s graduates represent the first wave of a new training pipeline.

What is the fastest way to become an air traffic controller in New York? PIX11 News reporter Greg Mocker found the answer at Vaughn College, where the first class of students has graduated from the Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (Enhanced AT-CTI) — a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved program that places graduates directly into FAA facilities for controller training, bypassing the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. The segment which aired on 6/9/26 takes viewers inside Vaughn’s air traffic control tower simulator where students train on the same scenarios taught at the FAA Academy. Graduate Bill Visconti, President Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo and air traffic control instructor Roy Kennis, a former LaGuardia Tower controller, explain how the program shortens the path to certification by roughly a year and helps address the nationwide controller shortage.

Can air traffic controllers train somewhere other than the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City? At Vaughn College, the answer is now yes. CBS News New York investigative reporter Tim McNicholas — who first reported on the plan a year ago — returned to campus on 6/9/26 to find that all nine trainees in Vaughn’s inaugural Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (Enhanced AT-CTI) class completed the program and are heading to FAA air traffic control towers across the country, with some expecting to start within weeks. The segment features graduate Yanni Agrotis of Melville, who spent months training on Vaughn’s campus simulators, and Vaughn College President Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo, who explains how on-campus training expands the number of seats the federal government has to train controllers — adding roughly 100 new controllers nationally when combined with the other Enhanced AT-CTI schools. Vaughn plans to grow its program this fall.

ABC7 Eyewitness News highlighted Vaughn College’s Memorial Day event on 5/25/26 which honored the historic contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen. The ceremony featured a special video address from 99-year-old retired Brigadier General Enoch “Woody” Woodhouse, who shared an inspiring message of perseverance with attendees.

Through dedicated fundraising for the local Tuskegee Airmen chapter, Vaughn College continues to support this vital legacy while providing scholarships to empower and inspire the next generation of diverse aviation professionals.

We were honored to welcome Vincent Mickens from Private Air Media to campus to host an on-site episode of his podcast, “All Things Aviation and Aerospace.”

The podcast featured a powerful conversation with Vaughn College President and CEO Dr. Sharon DeVivo, along with several faculty members and students, highlighting the innovation, opportunity and real-world impact happening right here at Vaughn.

President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo is joined by Steve Delson on iHeart Radio’s “CEOs You Should Know” podcast series. They talk about Sharon’s journey to Vaughn College, her leadership philosophy and everything about the College, from programs to student outcomes and the industries it serves. You won’t want to miss this one!