The first of Vaughn College’s spring open houses took place on campus on one of the first sunny days of the season. Despite the beautiful weather, the hangar was full to capacity with nearly 200 prospective students and their friends and families pursuing information about what Vaughn College could offer them.

Open house at Vaughn is a day for attendees to learn all they can about the academic programs at the College and participate in hands-on learning experiences much like they will encounter if they decide to enroll. The interactive open house is unlike those held at other colleges with participatory experiences ranging from directing traffic in an air traffic control lab, firing up a jet engine, designing in a automation technology lab or climbing into the cockpit of a $1.5 million flight simulator lab.

Many students came for the tristate area and others from as far away as Maryland and North Carolina.

Today’s event opened up with a panel of students from different programs currently attending Vaughn, answering audience questions about their experience as students at the College. Lisa Bandel ’19, aircraft operations, Karim Fadel ‘17 electronic engineering technology, Terry Cetoute ’17, mechatronic engineering and Jonathan Hernandez ’17, aircraft operations, all fielded questions ranging from their participation in extracurricular activities such as the Veterans Club, Leadership Academy, Mechatronics Club and intramural sports, to internship opportunities and the reason they decided to attend Vaughn. Bandel came specifically to become a professional pilot while Hernandez found Vaughn through an online search and was impressed by the support he found at the College for veteran students.

One group of 15 high school students took advantage of the open house to tour the College and learn about Vaughn’s offerings accompanied by Yohan Garcia, executive director of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Queens Council 23047.  The Council’s mission is to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans.

In addition to being ranked as one of the best regional colleges in the Northeast as well as one of the most ethnically and economically diverse by US News & World Report, Vaughn is also recognized by the US Department of Education as an Hispanic-Serving Institution.

Vaughn’s second spring open house will be held on Saturday, April 18 at 10 a.m. Sign up here.

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Left: Vaughn students take questions from attendees. Right: Prospective students learn about jet engines.

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Above: President DeVivo poses with LULAC student group.