On Oct. 1, Bowling Green State University (BGSU) and Toledo Public Schools (TPS) initiated a pathway partnership which offers BGSU’s aviation education to graduates of the Aerospace and Natural Science Academy of Toledo (ANSAT) .

Students who graduate who earn Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airframe and powerplant certifications now have the opportunity to earn up to 28 credit hours in BGSU’s School of Aviation.

BGSU has worked with ANSAT before, but according to ANSAT Senior Director Kurt Wicklund, it had been about three years since the institutions had partnered up.

“The old agreement expired and both institutions’ needs changed, but I think we are in a very strong place now to help as many students as we can,” said Wicklund.

Students who take full advantage of the opportunity and are admitted to BGSU will be on track to finish a bachelor’s degree in aviation in just three years.

On Oct. 1, the day of the announcement, Wicklund said three ANSAT students had already reached out to BGSU. “That’s a pretty good indicator that it’s going to be pretty popular,” he said.

Wicklund also added that “[the program] could very well impact every single one of our aviation students if they choose to go to BGSU and pursue further aviation studies.”

Not only will the 220 current aviation students at ANSAT have access to this opportunity, but it is also retroactive meaning it also extends to past graduates of their aviation program.

BGSU President Rodney Rogers said, “[BGSU is] committed to expanding access to higher education through unique public partnerships that support our mission as a public university for the public good.”