Flying toward the future: Central State University drone workshop equips students for high-tech careers

Above: Central State University student Shawn Saturday watches as a drone flies in front of him on the Wilberforce campus. 

Central State University is once again charting new territory in STEM innovation with the return of its 2025 drone summer workshop, a dynamic, hands-on experience equipping students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the fast-growing drone and artificial intelligence industries. 

Hosted by the Department of Engineering and Technology, the workshop immerses students in high-impact training that integrates drone operation, data analysis, and AI technology. Designed to cultivate both technical expertise and professional readiness, the initiative supports Central State’s Land-Grant mission to prepare students for in-demand careers that serve communities and drive progress. 

Led by Dr. Xiaofang Wei, Associate Professor of Computer Science, and Dr. Huanyang Zhao, a postdoctoral researcher and award-winning photographer, the 2025 workshop welcomed a focused cohort of emerging STEM leaders: 

• Shawn Saturday, a sustainable agriculture major from Cincinnati, Ohio 

• Pleas Halsell, a water resources management major from Detroit, Michigan 

• Elijah Mitchell, an environmental engineering major from Massillon, Ohio 

• Ishe Mawasha, an environmental engineering major from Dayton, Ohio 

Together, these students engaged in an intensive summer curriculum that blended classroom instruction, lab experiments, and fieldwork. Participants gained direct experience in drone flight training, FAA Part 107 licensure preparation, AI model exploration, and industry-standard image processing using tools such as PIX4D Mapper — all essential skills for mid-level drone operations, where starting wages range from $30 to $50 per hour. 

Image

“New features and innovations are emerging in drone technology every six months,” said Dr. Zhao, who received his Ph.D. from Kent State University in 2023.

“It’s vital that students stay up to date to remain competitive.” 

Dr. Zhao joined the Central State team in December 2024 and will continue contributing to the University’s growing drone program throughout his approximately three-year tenure. His presence reflects the University’s commitment to providing students with access to expert mentorship and real-world experience. 

Workshop participants applied their training using multispectral drone imagery collected right on Central State's campus. Their work supports high-impact applications across agriculture, construction, environmental monitoring, and emergency response — fields in which drones are transforming how problems are identified and solved. 

Image

The 2025 program was made possible through the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Capacity Building Grant titled Building Education and Research Capacity of Unmanned Aerial Systems at Central State University. Additional support came from industry expert William Hawkins, senior drone software instructor at PIX4D, and CSU faculty members Dr. Deng Cao and Dr. Ramanitharan Kandiah, who contributed their expertise to deliver a multidisciplinary, future-forward experience. 

The workshop reflects Central State’s strategic focus on career-aligned training and research excellence. 

“The technology is evolving at light speed. It is essential that we teach our students the forefront technology and prepare them to succeed in future careers,” Dr. Wei said. “The goal for this workshop is to raise awareness among students about the exciting and rapidly evolving career opportunities in drone technology. Drones are no longer niche tools — they’re being adopted across industries, including construction, agriculture, environmental monitoring, emergency response, and more.”  

The job market is expanding, she said, and it is increasingly welcoming to college graduates who possess practical experience and strong technical skills in drone operation and data analysis — often with very competitive pay. 

Looking ahead, Central State aims to expand the initiative into a formal certificate program that offers comprehensive training, licensure preparation, and workforce development pathways. As the only public Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and 1890 Land-Grant Institution in Ohio, Central State is committed to shaping a high-skilled workforce prepared to lead in tomorrow’s tech-driven economy. 

The workshop will return in 2026 — continuing to lift students higher and redefine what’s possible through innovation, access, and excellence. 

Image