LA PLATA, Md. — The College of Southern Maryland is preparing to launch the state’s first aviation maintenance technology program, supported by nearly $1 million in federal funding and aimed at preparing students for high-demand careers in the aviation industry.
During a State of the College update to the Charles County Board of Commissioners on Monday, March 10, 2025, CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson outlined plans for the program, which is expected to begin enrolling students in fall 2027, pending final approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.
“We have recently put in our federal aviation application, so we’re awaiting approval for that, and then we hope to launch the program in fall of 2027,” Wilson told commissioners.
The program will offer an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology, along with Lower Division Certificates in Powerplant and Airframe, allowing students to pursue industry-recognized certifications or continue along a degree pathway.
CSM received approval from the Maryland Higher Education Commission in October 2025 to offer the degree program, making it the first aviation maintenance technology program offered by a Maryland community college. The college also recently received approval to offer the certificate options within the program.
Federal funding will help launch the initiative. According to the college, the FY2026 Appropriations Package signed Feb. 3, 2026, includes $997,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for the aviation program. The funding will support development of the program and help equip the aviation maintenance training lab with industry-standard equipment.
In a news release announcing the funding, Wilson said the investment will expand workforce opportunities for students across the region.
“We appreciate the advocacy and support of our congressional partners on behalf of CSM students and programs,” Wilson said in the release. “This funding creates new opportunities for hands-on training and career pathways leading directly to in-demand careers. This investment strengthens our workforce pipeline and supports future economic growth in Southern Maryland.”
Funding for the projects was made possible through the support of U.S. Sens. Angela Alsobrooks and Chris Van Hollen.
“Young Marylanders want to prepare for successful futures, and for many that means getting hands-on, technical training to prepare themselves for the workforce,” Alsobrooks said in the release. “These programs won’t just prepare students for demanding careers; they also support our economy and fill necessary jobs that our state needs to thrive.”
The aviation funding is part of a broader $1.7 million federal appropriations package awarded to CSM to support workforce training initiatives. The package also includes $732,000 for a water and wastewater workforce training program at the college.
The aviation program will prepare students to diagnose airframe component issues, maintain aircraft propulsion systems, perform inspections and maintenance on aircraft, and understand Federal Aviation Administration regulations governing aircraft maintenance. Graduates will be prepared to test for FAA mechanic certification and associated ratings.
Development of the program included input from a regional Aviation Program Advisory Board composed of more than 30 representatives from aviation companies, local government agencies, military installations, school systems and community organizations across Southern Maryland.
Several advisory board members also submitted letters of support as part of the federal funding request, including Calvert County Public Schools, Charles County Public Schools and the St. Mary’s County Department of Economic Development.
The program will be housed at the Center for Trades and Energy Training at CSM’s Regional Hughesville Campus, a 30,000-square-foot facility located on the college’s 74-acre Hughesville campus, which serves as a regional workforce training hub for residents across Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties.
Wilson told commissioners the Hughesville campus will play a major role in several new workforce initiatives being developed at the college.
“We’re going to house that program at our Center for Trades and Energy Training in Hughesville,” Wilson told commissioners during the March 10 briefing. She added that the aviation program will be part of a broader expansion of workforce programs at the site. “So we’ll have a lot of stuff happening in Hughesville in just a little while.”
Watch the session of the Board of County Commissioners: March 10, 2026 session on CCGTV.
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