Airport Authority Board Appointment Creates Leverage for Elizabeth City State Aviation Program

Elizabeth City Mayor Roger McLean has appointed City Councilwoman Rev. Lena Hill-Lawrence to the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Airport Authority Board, a move that is being lauded for increasing diversity on the governing body and creating leverage for Elizabeth City State University’s undergraduate aviation science program.

In particular, Hill-Lawrence’s service on the Airport Authority Board can help establish a better balance between Elizabeth City State University, the airport authority and the city, McLean said.

He noted Hill-Lawrence already has established a good working relationship with Anthony Sharp, head of the aviation department at ECSU.

ECSU is a major partner in the development of the city’s Aviation Research and Commerce Development Park, and the university will have a major stake in constructing and managing an aviation education center that will create jobs in the area. But more than that, Hill-Lawrence’s presence will mark the beginnings of a new push to engage minorities to pursue careers in space and aviation science.

This is a perfect example of how HBCU’s should leverage academic value in their own communities. Programs that are unique to their geographic areas, provide opportunities for job creation, and forward the universal hope of diversity and inclusion are music to the ears of city and regional legislators. And they are primed to receive government funding when the coffers of local municipalities are running low.

Cheers to Elizabeth City State for being a knowledgeable and prepared partner in this development.

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