Sanford Regional Technical Center (SRTC) seniors not only earned their high school diploma this June, but also walked away with a Mechanical Drafting & Design Certificate from York County Community College (YCCC). This innovative partnership between the college and technical center was made possible through the college’s concurrent enrollment program combined with prior learning credit for industry certifications in 3D design and additive manufacturing.
The two-year Engineering and Architectural Design program draws enthusiastic students from eight York County high schools. Meeting over 2 hours each day, students become very proficient in the most modern 2D and 3D design software programs and successfully compete at the state and national level, bringing home numerous awards. Even the program instructor, Russell Clark, was honored as Maine’s ‘Career and Technical Educator of the Year’ in 2018, and for good reason. His program has become highly competitive, with the reputation of preparing students for engineering and architectural degrees, as well as direct employment as highly skilled designers and drafters.
Kathy Sargent, the director of SRTC believes that “The chance for our students to earn a college-level certificate before they graduate from high school is amazing! It is so validating to see that they are capable of producing high-quality, college-level work and we are grateful to YCCC for this opportunity and the man partnerships we share.” YCCC’s Academic Coordinator, Denise Young, is thrilled to have this two-year collaboration finally come to fruition. “Observing the hard work of all those involved in our partnership, and especially crossing the finish line during a global pandemic, makes the work that we do every day so rewarding. I can tell how grateful these students are for this opportunity, which inspires us all to create even more unique pathways to college credentials.”
The following students have completed all requirements for Summer 2020 graduation at YCCC: Colby Amidon, Clovis Cormier, Dante Michaud, Patrick Mustapha, and Robert Pilecki, representing Noble High School; Killian Campbell, Traip Academy; Vendela Eskind, Marshwood High School; and Marie Wood from Sanford High School.