DENTON, Texas — Texas Woman’s University is home to the highest structure in Denton, but this fall, the school is building something to go even higher.
“We want to make sure young women know, ‘hey, you can do this,’” said Clint Grant.
Grant says few women dream of flying because few women ever have. Only about five percent of professional pilots are women.
“They just need to be aware there’s an opportunity here,” he said.
To do that, the university partnered with US Aviation to launch the Doswell School of Aeronautical Sciences.
Grant, a seasoned pilot himself, asked to be the program’s director and help get it off the ground.
No other woman-focused university in America offers this kind of training. Twenty-four students, 22 of them women, are in the inaugural class. Many of those young women were planning to pursue other degrees when TWU announced its new program.
“I was like, ‘oh my God, I need to be in it,’” said freshman Jasmine Serrano.
“This is what I want to do,” freshman Amane Glenn said.
After a few weeks in the classroom, last week they flew for the first time giving them control and confirmation.
“I was gushing, blushing, had the controls, I was like, ‘oh my god,’” said Serrano. “It was the best thing ever.”
“It recharges my batteries because they’re so excited and it reminds me what it was like for me 40 plus years ago,” Grant said.
By the time students graduate, they’ll have enough training to fly professionally, paving the way to become a pilot and a role model.
“I really hope to inspire others and introduce others to aviation as I’m continuing on my career path,” Glenn said.
“I feel accomplished in a way like I can set a good path for them,” said Serrano.
“They see people that look like them and they go, ‘this is something I never would’ve considered. Hey, I can do this,’” said Grant.
In the world of aviation, young girls needed someone to look up to.
Now all they need is to just look up.
Potential students are encouraged to attend an information session to learn about the program. The next session is scheduled for Sept. 20 at 4 p.m. Register at https://twu.edu/aviation/.
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