MTCC header students
Share:
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

McDowell Tech Holds Signing Event for McDowell High Students

McDowell Technical Community College held its first-ever college signing event at McDowell High School (MHS) on Wednesday, May 8th for high school students who have declared their intent to attend McDowell Tech this fall.

College athletic programs often have signing events for students who have committed to attend and play for one of the college’s sports teams. In addition to getting signed commitments from athletes, it is a chance to promote the student and the college with associated media coverage.

Students gather with Trekker and VPs Stacy Buff and Valerie Dobson to sign their intent to join MTCC int he fall.

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.”

Brenda Magana Alvarez
Jacob Waters

 

Listed below are students who attended the signing event and those who have already expressed their intent to attend McDowell Tech:

Alley

Kayleigh

Alvarado

Elisabeth

Alvarez

Brenda Magana

Aristondo

Darwin

Atkinson

Andrew

Ballew

Parker

Byrd

Jared

Cannon

Kaylee

Davis

Aatraiyu

Davis

Meredith

Evans

Lily

Fowler

Eyzlee

Garcia

Janelly

Hensley

Brooklynn

Hensley

Shelby

Holland

Nick

Juarez

Daisy

Lester

Alyssa

Lowery

Makhali

Lytle

Chloe

Magana

Brenda

Magaña-Flores

Jeanette

McKinney

Serenity

Navarrete

Cindy

Otero

Yamilet

Owensby

Noelle

Ramirez

Xochilt

Ramos Tellez

Jesus

Randolph

Maverick

Rankin

Jenna

Rathbone

Ansley

Rojas Fuentes

Luis

Russell

Haven

Russell

Kelci

Santaclara

Naydelin

Scherer

David

Shedlock

Madelyn

Sosa

Ulises

Stevenson

Kassidy

Sullivan

Najee

Washburn

Emma

Waters

Jacob

Waycaster

Emily

Wood

Micah Sage

Woody

Traytin

Professional Development Workshops at McDowell Tech to Explore AI in Education

In an effort to equip educators and staff with the knowledge and tools to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their work, Dr. Lane Freeman from the NC Community College System Office will be leading half-day professional development workshops at McDowell Technical Community College on Thursday and Friday, February 6-7. The workshops will combine presentations with practical applications of AI said Dr. J.W. Kelley, McDowell Tech President.

Read More »

McDowell Tech Holds Ribbon Cutting for New Workforce Education Center in Old Fort

McDowell Technical Community College, alongside local dignitaries and partner organizations, held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the college’s new Workforce Education Center in Old Fort, NC on Wednesday, the college’s first presence in the town. The new center will provide workforce training opportunities and diversify the local and regional economy with focused opportunities in manufacturing, construction, trail development and other areas with emerging workforce needs.

Read More »