United States Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Visits SUNY Schenectady to Tout College’s Enhanced Air Traffic Control Degree Program
United States Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy traveled to the Capital Region on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, to visit SUNY Schenectady County Community College and tour the Air Traffic Control Simulator Lab on campus while speaking with faculty and current students in the FAA-approved Enhanced Air Traffic–Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) degree program.
SUNY Schenectady launched the degree program in Fall 2025 and is one of only 11 colleges or universities across the country, and one of only four community colleges, that the FAA has authorized to provide the same thorough curriculum and advanced training technology offered at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. The training at the FAA Academy is an intensive two- to five-month training program, depending on the specific track taken. The collegiate training program allows students to learn at a slower pace and become proficient with the FAA-required material. Also, because of the program size and the two-year pathway, students are able to interact with faculty in a setting that allows for more in-depth exploration of topics, gain additional simulation time, and develop mentor relationships within the classroom.
