College of DuPage welcomed U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Sean Casten to the Technical Education Center (TEC), where they met with College leadership, faculty and students to recognize a $4 million federal grant recently awarded to support COD’s Aviation Management and Unmanned Aircraft Systems programs.

The funding, awarded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), will expand short‑term, for‑credit workforce certificates; support new internship and apprenticeship opportunities; and enhance simulation technology and instructional resources in the Aviation program.

During the campus visit, Durbin and Casten joined COD President Dr. Muddassir Siddiqi for a press conference discussing the regional workforce impact of the grant. 

View photos from the campus visit.

COD is one of 17 community colleges nationwide to receive FIPSE funding. The investment will strengthen employer‑aligned programming and create expanded pathways to high‑wage, high‑demand aviation careers.

Learn more about COD’s Aviation Management program.