An Orange Coast College Foundation donor has made a strategic philanthropic investment of $900,000 in Orange County’s workforce to kickstart a new Air Traffic Control (ATC) program. The program will create a direct, local educational pathway into one of the nation's most critical and in-demand aviation professions.
The generous gift will fund specialized facilities, state-of-the-art air traffic control simulation equipment, classroom renovations, curriculum development, and instructional technology needed to launch the program. Introductory ATC courses will begin this fall, with the full curriculum available in Fall 2027.
“Orange Coast College has long been committed to preparing students for the careers that will shape the future of our region and beyond,” said Dr. Angelica Suarez, president of Orange Coast College. “This extraordinary gift allows us to expand while creating new opportunities for students to enter one of the nation’s most essential professions.”
Foster Stanback, the donor, has been a longtime champion of OCC's aviation and aerospace initiatives, previously providing generous support for aviation education and student rocketry programs.
“I am honored to help create new opportunities for students to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace,” said Stanback. “Orange Coast College’s outstanding Aviation and Aerospace Sciences program is uniquely positioned to expand its leadership by adding an Air Traffic Control program to its exceptional offerings and attract more students to careers in aviation science and rocketry.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 2,200 air traffic controller openings are projected each year over the next decade, while the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to expand hiring to address workforce shortages. OCC expects the program to become a significant workforce pipeline for Southern California, serving hundreds of students during its first five years and helping meet the nation's growing demand for qualified controllers.
"The most meaningful philanthropy begins with a vision for what is possible, and Foster has such a vision for the future of aviation and aerospace and for OCC students,” noted Patricia Falzon, Executive Director of Advancement for the OCC Foundation. “His passion and generosity are creating new pathways for students to discover and step into the careers of the future. We are honored to partner with him and are deeply grateful for his generosity, leadership, and confidence in OCC.”
The program is designed to position OCC to pursue designation as a FAA Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative institution. Once approved, qualified graduates who meet FAA hiring requirements will be able to move directly into facility-specific training rather than first attending the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, creating a clear, affordable, and highly specialized pathway into air traffic control careers.
The ATC expansion builds upon OCC's established Aviation Science program, its recent FAA Part 141 designation, and the College's expanding aerospace initiatives, including its new Rocketry Science program. Together, these programs position OCC to become a regional hub for aviation and aerospace education.
Led by Aviation Science faculty Dr. Stanley Harriman, with curriculum development support from Joel Weiler, the program will feature FAA-aligned curriculum, advanced tower and radar simulation technology, and hands-on instruction designed to prepare students for successful careers in aviation.
Once fully implemented, the ATC program will complement OCC's growing portfolio of aviation, aerospace, and advanced transportation programs.
The generous gift will fund specialized facilities, state-of-the-art air traffic control simulation equipment, classroom renovations, curriculum development, and instructional technology needed to launch the program. Introductory ATC courses will begin this fall, with the full curriculum available in Fall 2027.
“Orange Coast College has long been committed to preparing students for the careers that will shape the future of our region and beyond,” said Dr. Angelica Suarez, president of Orange Coast College. “This extraordinary gift allows us to expand while creating new opportunities for students to enter one of the nation’s most essential professions.”
Foster Stanback, the donor, has been a longtime champion of OCC's aviation and aerospace initiatives, previously providing generous support for aviation education and student rocketry programs.
“I am honored to help create new opportunities for students to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace,” said Stanback. “Orange Coast College’s outstanding Aviation and Aerospace Sciences program is uniquely positioned to expand its leadership by adding an Air Traffic Control program to its exceptional offerings and attract more students to careers in aviation science and rocketry.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 2,200 air traffic controller openings are projected each year over the next decade, while the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to expand hiring to address workforce shortages. OCC expects the program to become a significant workforce pipeline for Southern California, serving hundreds of students during its first five years and helping meet the nation's growing demand for qualified controllers.
"The most meaningful philanthropy begins with a vision for what is possible, and Foster has such a vision for the future of aviation and aerospace and for OCC students,” noted Patricia Falzon, Executive Director of Advancement for the OCC Foundation. “His passion and generosity are creating new pathways for students to discover and step into the careers of the future. We are honored to partner with him and are deeply grateful for his generosity, leadership, and confidence in OCC.”
The program is designed to position OCC to pursue designation as a FAA Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative institution. Once approved, qualified graduates who meet FAA hiring requirements will be able to move directly into facility-specific training rather than first attending the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, creating a clear, affordable, and highly specialized pathway into air traffic control careers.
The ATC expansion builds upon OCC's established Aviation Science program, its recent FAA Part 141 designation, and the College's expanding aerospace initiatives, including its new Rocketry Science program. Together, these programs position OCC to become a regional hub for aviation and aerospace education.
Led by Aviation Science faculty Dr. Stanley Harriman, with curriculum development support from Joel Weiler, the program will feature FAA-aligned curriculum, advanced tower and radar simulation technology, and hands-on instruction designed to prepare students for successful careers in aviation.
Once fully implemented, the ATC program will complement OCC's growing portfolio of aviation, aerospace, and advanced transportation programs.