After an agreement signing between DSU and Endeavor Air, Capt. William "CJ" Charlton, Director of the University's Aviation Program, shakes hands with Robyn Murphy, Endeavor Air Senior Talent Acquisition Representative (both seated). The agreement will allow DSU aviation students to enter the airline's STEP Program, which will provide them a path to become Endeavor Air pilots and later possibly Delta Air Lines pilots. — *In this photo:* After an agreement signing between DSU and Endeavor Air, Capt. William “CJ” Charlton, Director of the University’s Aviation Program, shakes hands with Robyn Murphy, Endeavor Air Senior Talent Acquisition Representative (both seated). The agreement will allow DSU aviation students to enter the airline’s STEP Program, which will provide them a path to become Endeavor Air pilots and later possibly Delta Air Lines pilots.

On Campus

DSU Aviation, Endeavor Air sign MOU agreement

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

DSU students in the Department of Aviation have a new career option as the result of a recently finalized agreement between the University and Endeavor Air.

The recently signed agreement makes DSU a partner institution in Endeavor Air’s STEP (Students To Endeavor Pilots) Program and provides a path for the University’s Aviation/Professional Pilot graduates to land in a First Officer’s seat in the cockpit of an Endeavor Air aircraft.

Through the agreement, DSU professional pilot students can join the STEP Program while they are completing their aviation undergraduate requirements at Delaware State University. When they have logged the required number of flight hours, students and graduates will receive a priority interview with Endeavor, on-site at DSU.

If hired, they can begin their aviation career with Endeavor Air, which operates 124 regional jets on 700 daily flights to over 100 cities in the U.S and North America.

Because Endeavor Air is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, pilots who fly for Endeavor could eventually fly for that major airline. Endeavor is the only airline with a contractually guaranteed career pathway to Delta Air Lines for pilots.

Ginny Zarras, Vice President of Human Resources at Endeavor Air, said that regional airline and Delta Airlines are proud to partner with Delaware State University to encourage and inspire its students to follow their dreams to a career in aviation.

“This year, in addition to Delaware State University, Endeavor is launching our STEP program at two other HBCUs - these schools will be the second, third and fourth HBCUs to become STEP partner universities,” Ms. Zarras said. “At Endeavor, we believe that we must be intentional about increasing diversity and we are very excited about these new STEP partnerships and the potential there is to create a career pathway for aspiring Black pilots.”

Delaware State University is one of 23 university partners in Endeavor Air’s STEP Program.

Capt. William “C.J.”Charlton, Director of the DSU Aviation Program, said the University is proud to be a part of the Endeavor Air family.

“This partnership [Endeavor] is yet another jewel in the crown of the Aviation Program at DSU,” said Capt. Charlton. “Though the focus today was on the pilots, Endeavor will capitalize on this partnership to recruit talent above and below the wing, as well as in various other career destinations at their company.”