A&M-Victoria takes flight with aviation day event, new degree programs
Texas A&M University-Victoria is set to soar to new heights as it prepares to host Aviation Day at the Airport, a community-centered event aimed at introducing the university’s new aviation degree program and showcasing career pathways in the aviation industry.
Aviation Day will take place at the Victoria Regional Airport from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 8, and the whole community is invited to come out.
The event will feature welcoming remarks at 9:30 a.m., a range of interactive displays and the chance to connect with aviation professionals, flight instructors and organizations such as the Civil Air Patrol.
“Our goal is to introduce the public to the broad opportunities within the aviation industry and to officially kick off our new Bachelor of Science in Aviation Science,” said Interim President Jim Nelson. “Whether attendees are interested in becoming professional pilots or want to explore aviation management, we want them to know what’s possible and to meet the people who can help them reach their goals.”
The official degree program, which will offer both a professional pilot pathway and an aviation management pathway, is slated to begin in Fall 2026, with the possibility of a handful of courses being available as early as Spring 2026.
The event will display a variety of aircraft, ranging from single-engine trainers to top-tier corporate planes to show attendees a tangible link between academic pursuits and industry realities.
Joann Olson, A&M-Victoria interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, recently had the chance to fly in a biplane under the guidance of a flight instructor. It was a thrilling experience to be up in the air, she said.
“I recently had the opportunity to fly in a 1943 PT-17 Stearman biplane over Rockport and Aransas Bay,” Olson said. “The pilot, a certified flight instructor, let me take the controls for a few minutes, which was surreal and so much fun. It also brought a part of history alive, as planes like this were used to train pilots during World War II.”
The aviation program is being developed at A&M-Victoria to respond to a growing regional demand for aviation professionals, to fill a significant education and industry void and to position itself as a leader in workforce development with this highly specialized field.
The university recognizes both a nationwide shortage of pilots and aviation managers and sees a local opportunity to train students for high demand, rewarding careers. Enabled by a $3 million appropriation from the State of Texas, and by offering pathways in both professional piloting and aviation management, the program seeks to open the field to a broader range of students, including many first-generation college students, while leveraging the area’s unique airport facilities and community partnerships to create comprehensive learning environments that serve students and the industry alike.
“A&M-Victoria is committed to giving every qualified student a seat in our programs. So long as they meet the admission criteria, there’s a place here for them,” Nelson said.
The university also takes pride in its small class sizes and close relationships between students and faculty, making it an appealing choice for those seeking more individualized instruction.
“We have the space, resources and commitment, not just to train pilots but to open doors for students who may not have considered aviation before,” Nelson said. “This is just the beginning.”
Texas A&M University-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the colleges of Business, Education & Health Professions, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, and Natural & Applied Science. A&M-Victoria provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as online classes that students can take from anywhere. The university supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.