McDowell Tech Holds Signing Event for McDowell High Students

Valerie Dobson, Vice-President of Academics and Student Services and Chief Academic Officer at McDowell Tech shared, “We want   to acknowledge the importance and value of attending a community college and to recognize students who make McDowell Tech their college of choice.”

Numerous studies have shown that attending college is one of the fastest and easiest ways to improve socioeconomic mobility in this country, and graduates of many community college vocational programs like mechatronics, nursing and welding make significantly higher salaries than their counterparts with four-year degrees in other fields. Holding this signing event is McDowell Tech’s way of signifying to the world the importance of the choice these students are making and making them feel special for doing so.

Many of the students who signed commitments at the event already know what degree they are interested in and what career they want to pursue, while some are still undecided. “The most important thing,” said Dobson, “is that they are taking that first step to begin college and start the general education requirements that are necessary in most degree programs. There will be time later to choose a career path, and we have Career Coaches to guide them in that process.”

Students were given a “swag bag,” treated to specialty cupcakes and soda at the end of the event, and those who wanted to took photos with the college’s mascot, MAC the Trekker—or Big Foot, as some call him. They also received a blue McDowell Tech t-shirt that they can wear with pride in coming months.

“It was truly a special day,” said Ryan Garrison, Interim President at McDowell Tech. “We appreciate Dean of Students, Mr. Chuck Bowling and Mrs. Bennett, Principal at MHS for their partnership for hosting us, and we look forward to coming back next spring for the Class of 2025 who plan to attend McDowell Tech. Life is about making good choices, and the students who signed letters of intent to attend McDowell Tech have made a great choice. We wish them all the best and look forward to seeing them this fall.”