Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology and The Cherokee Nation Form Historic Educational Partnership

The partnership provides Cherokee Nation citizens access to educational opportunities for aspiring pilots and aviation technicians

TULSA, Okla. (Aug. 19, 2021) ―Officials from Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology and the Cherokee Nation announced today a formal educational partnership between the two organizations. In recognition of National Aviation Day on Thursday, Aug. 19, Spartan College and the Cherokee Nation hosted an official signing of the agreement in Tahlequah, Okla., the capital of the Cherokee Nation.

The Cherokee Nation is among the largest tribes in the United States and has more than 390,000 citizens worldwide. More than 141,000 Cherokee Nation citizens reside within the 14-county tribal reservation that covers most of northeastern Oklahoma. With approximately 11,000 employees, Cherokee Nation and its subsidiary component units are, collectively, one of the largest employers in northeastern Oklahoma. The tribe has a more than $2.16 billion impact annually on the Oklahoma economy.

For the Cherokee Nation, education and career opportunities for tribal citizens remain a strategic priority. A focus on STEM, which empowers individuals with the skills to succeed and adapt to this increasingly complex, changing, technological world is critical to the success of its citizens and necessary to sustain the economy. Through this partnership, the Cherokee Nation and Spartan College are committed to ensuring educational opportunities for students who aspire to be pilots or aviation technicians.

“The COVID-19 crisis has magnified the need for robust collaboration, and with their main campus in Tulsa, we feel this partnership will be a great benefit to Cherokee citizens looking at a career in aviation,” Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said. “Spartan College is a well-recognized educational institution in the field of aviation that continues to invest in their student experience and will help the Cherokee Nation provide yet another career-oriented training opportunity for our citizens in an exciting field.”

“We are honored to become an educational partner for the Cherokee Nation.  Serving the Cherokee Nation in this way supports our social mission by providing career-oriented education to high school graduates who may not have had this opportunity,” said Rob Polston, Chief Executive Officer at Spartan College. “We are delighted with the enthusiasm of both the prospective students and the tribal leadership. We have exciting plans to work directly with Sequoyah High School, introducing the Cherokee youth to the possibility of aviation careers and helping prepare them to succeed personally and contribute back to the tribe.”

Established in 1928, Spartan College has trained over 100,000 pilots and aviation technicians and currently offers diploma and associate degree programs in Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT), Aviation Electronics Technology, Nondestructive Testing Technology/Quality Control Management and Aviation Flight. Additionally, Spartan College has developed a hybrid AMT option that maximizes student flexibility while minimizing time away from home, along with an online Bachelor of Science degree program in Technology Management. 

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About The Cherokee Nation

Cherokee Nation is the largest tribe in the United States with more than 390,000 tribal citizens worldwide. More than 141,000 Cherokee Nation citizens reside within the tribe’s reservation boundaries in northeastern Oklahoma. Services provided include health and human services, education, employment, housing, economic and infrastructure development, environmental protection and more. With approximately 11,000 employees, Cherokee Nation and its subsidiaries are one of the largest employers in northeastern Oklahoma. The tribe had a more than $2.16 billion economic impact on the Oklahoma economy in fiscal year 2018.

About Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology

Established in 1928, Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology has trained over 100,000 pilots and technicians. We have campuses located in the following areas: Tulsa, OK; Los Angeles, CA; Inland Empire, CA; and Denver, CO. Spartan students have come from across the United States and over 40 countries. Spartan offers programs in the areas of Aviation Flight, Aviation Maintenance Technology (Airframe & Powerplant), Aviation Electronics Technology, Nondestructive Testing Technology, and Quality Control Management, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology Management. (Programs vary by location). Tulsa and Broomfield locations are separately accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Both California locations are accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE). Riverside is a branch of the Inglewood Campus. Spartan Education Group, LLC, is the parent company of Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology.

Learn more about the partnership

Editor’s Note:

In deference to the community spread of COVID-19, the official signing of the partnership agreement was held with limited attendees.