EvCC student, instructor earn American Technical Education Association awards
Press Release
Release Date: May 18, 2017
Contact: Sheila Dunn, Associate Dean of Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Careers, 425-388-9164; sdunn@everettcc.edu
EvCC student, instructor earn American Technical Education Association awards
Photos: Everett Community College advanced manufacturing student Nicole Zupke and advanced manufacturing instructor Michael Patching.
EVERETT, Wash. – Everett Community College advanced manufacturing student Nicole Zupke and instructor Michael Patching received awards at the American Technical Education Association (ATEA) national conference.
Zupke, 28, of Everett, received the national ATEA Student Award for Notable Performance in Composite Design. She was honored for her leadership in EvCC’s Boeing AerosPACE team, encouragement of future advanced manufacturing students, technical skill and 3.9 GPA, which she earned while taking 20-25 credits per quarter while working part-time.
“It’s not uncommon to see her in the lab at 6 a.m. or 10 p.m., and one will never encounter her where her countenance is anything but radiant, like a jar of lightening ready to zap the heck out of the next challenge,” said EvCC composites instructor Tim Melcher.
Zupke expects to graduate in fall 2017 with her associate degree in advanced manufacturing, and certificates in composites, technical design, mechatronics and precision machining. She plans to complete mechatronics, electrical and drafting internships before earning a bachelor’s degree.
Patching, of Clinton, was honored as one of three finalists for the ATEA Outstanding Technical Teacher award. He has taught at EvCC since 2012.
“Today’s industries are modernizing, requiring an educated workforce with advanced manufacturing skills and knowledge. A dedicated teacher is vital to preparing students for this new age of industry,” said EvCC advanced manufacturing student Thor Nelson. “Mike Patching has taken on this challenge, setting up a new shop to top manufacturing standards while building a curriculum that can reach a diverse class of students.”
Zupke and Patching accepted their awards at the 2017 ATEA national conference at the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology in March.
“Congratulations to Mike and Nicole for these prestigious national awards. They exemplify the technical rigor and innovation central to advanced manufacturing teaching and learning at EvCC,” said Sheila Dunn, EvCC Associate Dean of Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Careers.
EvCC offers six advanced manufacturing programs at the college’s Advanced Manufacturing Training & Education Center (AMTEC), including mechatronics, precision machining, welding and fabrication, engineering technician, composites and pre-employment programs.
AMTEC serves more than 200 manufacturing industry employers in Snohomish County. All programs are short, stackable (individual credentials from different content areas that connect to each other) and lead to a professional certificate or college degree.
The center teaches students about the manufacturing process from start to finish as they complete interdisciplinary projects like creating unmanned aerial vehicles, rockets, robots and paddle boards.
For more information about AMTEC programs and upcoming information sessions, visit EverettCC.edu/AMTEC.