FORT WALTON BEACH — For the first time in a few years, Principal Cindy Gates is certain the district’s Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Institute is on the right path.
Enrollment is up, courses already are planned for the next three years and a local man is overseeing the day-to-day operations at Choctawhatchee and Crestview high schools.
“That was what was missing: a face,” Gates said. “Kids need to connect a face to the program.”
This year, in addition to six adjunct professors from the local Embry-Riddle Worldwide campus, Ron Garriga, who oversees all campuses for Worldwide in northern Florida, vowed to the Okaloosa County School Board that he would turn the struggling program around.
With the introduction of an evening class and an unmanned aerial vehicles course, the enrollment has increased from 60 at both schools last fall to about 155 this school year.
Next year Embry-Riddle plans to add engineering courses and increase enrollment to 200.
“This year we took the time to lay a solid foundation,” said Chris Harrison, who oversees the local day-to-day operations.
The change in course offerings comes from conversations with local industry officials, Harrison said.
For students, the program presents a unique opportunity to get a jumpstart on their passion for flight and aerospace or numerous related jobs.
“If (students are) interested in it, they need to come try it out,” said Choctawhatchee junior Jackson March, who started with the program in the fall after moving to the area.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Katie Tammen at 850-315-4440 or ktammen@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieTnwfdn.