Dayton, Ohio — Four students are the first to earn bachelor’s degrees from a community college in the state of Ohio. And it’s only appropriate that those degrees are centered around aviation.
In 2019, Sinclair Community College introduced two bachelor’s degrees: Bachelor of Applied Science – Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Bachelor of Applied Science – Aviation Technology/Professional Pilot.
Two students graduated in May 2021 with the Professional Pilot bachelor’s degree, while two students are graduating with UAS bachelor’s degrees (one in the spring, one in the summer). All four were recognized at the college’s 2021 commencement ceremonies.
Mugisha “Mo” Kamana of Kigali, Rwanda, came to Sinclair College at the age of 17 with the dream of becoming a pilot because “Dayton is the birthplace of aviation.” Mugisha graduated this spring with a Bachelor of Applied Science – Aviation Technology/Professional Pilot.
“I believed Sinclair could get me where I wanted to go,” said Kamana. “When Sinclair got approved so I could finish my bachelor’s degree, it was my dream come true. It’s a success for Sinclair, but it’s a big success to me, as well.”
Centerville, Ohio, native Michael Sherbet also graduated this spring with a Bachelor of Applied Science – Aviation Technology/ Professional Pilot.
“I feel very honored to be a part of the first group of bachelor’s degree graduates and testing the waters for this new program,” he said. “Not only for this program specifically, but for the school because with other bachelor’s degrees to come, this is something that is going to set Sinclair apart from the others.”
“A lot of the airlines now require a four-year degree,” he continued. “Now that you are able to get everything at Sinclair without having to transfer to a four-year institution to finish that up, makes it very appealing.”
Preston Moore of Huber Heights, Ohio, had a love for video games that drew him to Sinclair’s UAS bachelor’s degree program. He’s also using his UAS skills as a realtor to showcase properties.
“Sinclair’s UAS bachelor’s degree program is very hands-on, so instead of just studying and trying to find it out for yourself, you are in the lab working on designing, 3-D printing, building, manufacturing, and fixing broken vehicles — just a plethora of hands-on learning to better prepare you for a career in Unmanned Aerial Systems,” said Moore. “Sinclair is affordable and has a very good open schedule for students like me who are balancing family and work. The professors will work with you if you have a tight schedule and that is very accommodating. They really take care of you.”
Samuel Bryan will graduate this summer with his Bachelor of Applied Science – Unmanned Aerial Systems degree.
“What I love most about Sinclair’s UAS program is just how hands-on everything is and how they encourage us to be creative with our ideas. The instructors want to discuss ideas with us so that they can help us turn a dream into reality. We expand on stuff that may sound really crazy, but anything’s possible. I really love how they encourage creativity in this program,” said Bryan. “The professors care and want you to expand your knowledge outside of class. They encourage you to keep researching, keep learning more, and keep developing new methods. Sinclair has really helped me achieve my goals as I pursue a career in the UAS industry.”