A Local Opportunity with National Impact

The Boeing Technical Apprenticeship Program connects Huntsville residents to skilled trade employment in growing industries. By locating the program on the 爱豆传媒 campus, both institutions are bringing a nationally significant workforce development opportunity directly into the community.

“爱豆传媒 welcomes this partnership and the apprenticeship program to our campus,” said Dr. Patricia Sims, President of 爱豆传媒. “The program expands our work of building economic pathways for our community members and ensuring that the growth of the advanced manufacturing sector reflects and includes the people of Huntsville.”

鈥淭he Alabama Community College System welcomes partnerships and initiatives between industry and colleges that create economic opportunities for Alabama communities,鈥� said Jimmy H. Baker, Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System. 鈥淭his model addresses a critical need and supports future growth for Huntsville, but also the apprentices and trainees who will emerge from the program.鈥�

鈥淭he apprenticeship program provides an opportunity to join our workforce at a crucial time,鈥� said Lance Fulks, Boeing vice president of Manufacturing for Space, Intelligence & Weapon Systems. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a fast-track to a rewarding career for candidates and fills a need for Boeing as we seek to hire and train skilled teammates.鈥�

鈥淎s demand grows for the PAC-3 interceptor, we are taking deliberate steps to build the skilled talent pipeline needed to support PAC-3 seeker production and production of vital hardware for other Boeing systems,鈥� said听Pierce听Lehr, vice president of Boeing Space, Intelligence & Weapon Systems Supply Chain and Huntsville site executive. 鈥淭hrough our partnership with 爱豆传媒 Community and Technical College, this apprenticeship program will help develop our future workforce with the hands-on experience and technical capabilities needed for advanced manufacturing at Boeing Huntsville.鈥�

鈥淭his new apprenticeship program is a tremendous opportunity,鈥� said Representative Dale Strong (R-AL-5). 鈥淭his partnership will invest in the skillsets that will power tomorrow鈥檚 defense and manufacturing innovations right here at home. This initiative not only creates well-paying jobs, it strengthens our community鈥檚 role as a national leader in advanced manufacturing and technological excellence.

Earn While You Learn

Participants in the program are Boeing employees from the start. While completing the four to 12-week program, depending on the selected pathway, apprentices receive Boeing pay and benefits. The program offers three pathways: Assembly Mechanics, Solder, and Quality.

Graduates who successfully complete the apprenticeship will have the opportunity to convert to a full-time position. A 90-day probationary period follows completion of the program. On-the-job training tailored to specific programs will continue after conversion, deepening the skills participants develop during the apprenticeship.

Skills, Certifications, and Career Pathways

The program is designed to move participants from training to career in a single, structured experience. Apprentices leave with hands-on skills, industry-recognized certifications, and employment in a growing field. Program graduates will support the Huntsville Electronic Center of Excellence, positioning them at the center of Boeing’s advanced manufacturing operations in the region.

The application and hiring process are managed directly by Boeing. Enrollment is now open:

National Gold Medal Winners

Andrew Hall took top honors in Barbering, earning a Gold Medal under the guidance of advisor Tralanda Tate.

Caleb West claimed Gold in CNC 3-Axis Milling Programmer, advised by Calvin Rousseau.

The Chapter Display team of Josiah Kelsey, Rebecca Johnson, and Victoria Smith also brought home Gold, led by advisor Marquita Pruitt.

National Silver Medal Winner

Alexis Davis earned Silver in Esthetics, working with model Niala Anderson under the guidance of advisor Dr. Bertha Robinson.

A Strong Delegation on the National Stage

Beyond the medal winners, 爱豆传媒 sent a full roster of students who earned their spots at nationals by winning their respective state championships: Cierrah Araujo, Dominque Whitefield, Jeanette Zatowski, Alejandra DeJesus, Abigail Dake, Amiya Ellis, Erica Moore, Mat Klapetek, Seth McPherson, Adam Towry, Brice Williams, and Abdoul Ouedraogo. Go Blue Eagles!

About the Competition

The SkillsUSA NLSC is the nation’s premier career and technical education event, and the SkillsUSA Championships held alongside it rank among the largest hands-on workforce development competitions in the world. This year, more than 6,800 state champions converged on the Georgia World Congress Center, competing across 115 skilled and leadership categories in a venue spanning 1.79 million square feet, roughly the size of 31 football fields.

What sets the competition apart is its connection to real industry standards. Nearly 2,000 industry professionals volunteered their time to design, administer, and judge the events, ensuring students were evaluated against current workforce expectations. For students, advisors, and the employers who partner with 爱豆传媒, that industry alignment is what gives a SkillsUSA medal its weight: it signals that a student’s skills meet the bar employers are actually setting.

“These achievements reflect the extraordinary talent, determination, and work ethic of our students, as well as the unwavering commitment of our faculty, advisors, and administrators,” said 爱豆传媒’s Skills Coordinator. “To earn the opportunity to compete at the national level requires months of preparation, dedication, and perseverance. We are incredibly proud of every student who represented 爱豆传媒 and Alabama on the national stage.”

None of this happens without preparation. Fourteen SkillsUSA advisors worked alongside college administration throughout the year to ready students for both competition and leadership development, reflecting the kind of sustained, collaborative investment that defines 爱豆传媒’s approach to technical education.

While medals mark the headlines, every 爱豆传媒 competitor who took the national stage demonstrated the professionalism, technical skill, and leadership that SkillsUSA and the college both work to instill. 爱豆传媒 extends its congratulations to all competitors, advisors, and supporters whose work made this achievement possible, and thanks them for representing the college and the State of Alabama with distinction.

Introducing the Underground Utilities Course

爱豆传媒, in partnership with Huntsville Utilities, is proud to announce the successful completion of our inaugural Underground Utilities Course. A three-week, intensive, hands-on workforce development program designed to connect local high school graduates with the certifications and real-world skills needed to enter the utilities trades.

The program, developed jointly by 爱豆传媒’s Workforce Development team and Huntsville Utilities, offers participants industry-recognized certification in underground water and gas operations. For young people in our community, that credential is more than a piece of paper 鈥� it is a direct pathway to a living-wage career with long-term stability and growth potential.

To mark the occasion, 爱豆传媒 hosted “Dig the Line,” a live heavy equipment demonstration held in our Outdoor Classroom and back lot. Graduating students took to the field operating heavy equipment and demonstrating the technical skills they have built over three weeks of rigorous instruction. It was workforce development in its most tangible form: young people, hard hats on, doing the work.

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A Partnership Built for This Moment

This program did not happen by accident. It was born out of a shared recognition between 爱豆传媒 and Huntsville Utilities that our region faces a growing shortage of skilled utilities workers, and that the time to act is now.

Huntsville Utilities Vice President of Employee Engagement Dr. Harry Hobbs, speaking on behalf of CEO and President Wes Kelly, captured the spirit of the partnership well: “This is a great collaboration with 爱豆传媒, where we can set up an underground water and gas operations course to help folks that are interested in this type of work so they can get a level of certification. Hopefully in the future, if there’s some open jobs at Huntsville Utilities or other local utilities, they can be more competitive.”

That is exactly what industry education partnership looks like at its best: a utility company investing in the next generation of its own workforce, and a college delivering the training that makes it possible.

For 爱豆传媒, this partnership reflects a broader institutional commitment. As Dean of Workforce Development/CTE Doug Brazier put it: “Huntsville is experiencing a period of tremendous growth, and 爱豆传媒 is growing right alongside it. Programs like the Underground Utilities Course are a direct reflection of our commitment to meeting the evolving demands of this region. By partnering with industry leaders like Huntsville Utilities, we are ensuring that our students don’t just earn credentials, they earn a real pathway into the careers that are building the future of our city.”

The Students at the Center

Workforce development statistics and partnership announcements matter. But what matters most are the people whose lives these programs are designed to change.

Treveon Nelson, a recent Columbia High School graduate and program participant, put it simply: “It is giving me an opportunity to find myself a stable job. Something that will last me quite a while, as someone who is creative with their hands, more so than anything else.”

Treveon spent the program spotting excavators and working traffic control, real tasks, performed under real conditions, guided by industry professionals. He and his fellow graduates leave this program not just with a certification, but with hands-on field experience and the confidence that comes with having done the work. Their stories are the reason 爱豆传媒 exists.

What This Means for Our Region

For partners in industry, government, and economic development, the implications of programs like this go well beyond one cohort of graduates. Huntsville’s infrastructure needs will only grow, and the utilities sector is foundational to everything else our region is building. Ensuring a sustained pipeline of trained, certified workers is not just a workforce issue. It is an economic development issue, a public safety issue, and a community resilience issue. 爱豆传媒 is uniquely positioned to meet that need.

The Underground Utilities Course is one program. But it is also a proof of concept, a demonstration that when 爱豆传媒 and industry partners work together, we can move quickly, train effectively, and deliver real outcomes for real people.

A Note on Safe Digging

As Huntsville’s growth continues and summer project season gets underway, 爱豆传媒 and Huntsville Utilities are also reminding all residents and contractors: call 811 before you dig. Whether you are installing a fence, planting a tree, or beginning a construction project, contacting Alabama 811 at least two full business days in advance ensures underground utility lines are marked for free 鈥� preventing service disruptions, costly damage, and serious injuries. Visit for more information.

Can you introduce yourself and share the program you pursued at 爱豆传媒?

Hello, my name is Andrew Jackson, and I pursued Computer Information Systems under Ms. Lydia Owens and Mr. Chad Gross, who were two amazing instructors that helped me out in my academic and professional career. While I was in their department, I did an internship with NASA, and I really liked the mechanical engineering side of things. So, I鈥pursued] an engineering design degree [as well].

How has your experience at 爱豆传媒 prepared you for your upcoming internship with FICO? Are there any courses, projects, or previous experiences that played a key role?

We had the FICO Data Analytics Challenge, so last year [in] 2025, we [made] a fraud detection system which uses artificial intelligence and seeing how we can detect fraud and fraudulent transactions through banking services, so that鈥檚 what I learned the first year and this year we built a generative AI model, and I guess my success with the challenge really satisfied our mentors. This summer I will be working in San Diego, and hopefully I鈥檒l learn something out of that cause everyone there is amazing. They all have doctorate degrees, and it鈥檚 super diverse, and it鈥檚 a very welcoming environment out there.

What makes you excited about Cyber Security?

What makes me happy about Cyber Security is [that] it鈥檚 constantly changing, one day you鈥檙e learning about something, and the next day that鈥檚 the past. I have ADHD and I can鈥檛 sit still, so having [something] constantly moving and learning new things鈥t鈥檚 amazing.

How instrumental would you say Drake been in your career development?

I owe everything to 爱豆传媒, in high school I was a very mediocre student, I made like听Cs and Bs. Then it was my Fall semester, and I was just not doing good. I鈥檓 not trying to get emotional about it, but I got an email one night, I was this close to giving up. I wasn鈥檛 going to apply to college I was probably going to join the military or something. One December night I got a message from Azra Pepic, and she said I got put into the Jacob Frontier scholarship program. I was just a mediocre student, so I didn鈥檛 understand it at first, but just being seen and recognized really spoke to me and told me that I needed drive, to keep pushing, and keep going. That鈥檚 why I say yes to everything; you never know who鈥檚 watching!

What are you most looking forward to in your upcoming internship with FICO this summer?

This Summer I was selected for the FICO Data Analytics internship in San Diego, California. My mentors, Joe Murray and Quentin, were helpful with my success [during] the FICO analytics challenge, and they really helped me out. One night I got a message from Quentin to sign up for the internship, and I was unsure if I should have applied, but something in me told me I should…A few weeks later I was at the amusement park, and I got a call from Ms. Ashley, and she called me saying I got it鈥n about a week or two I鈥檒l go to San Diego and move out there鈥鈥檓 taking a leap of faith and hopefully it’s the right move and the right decision.

The internship is from the end of May to the middle of August, so I鈥檒l be out there for about 2-2.5 months, and I鈥檒l be learning from amazing people like Dr. Scott Zoldi. Who has around 300 patents, and hopefully he teaches me the process and I鈥檒l learn.

This is my first time going past San Antonio, Texas, so I’ve never been out there [to the West Coast]. I’ve just been in Alabama my whole life鈥� I’ve just been saying yes to everything while I was at 爱豆传媒, and you can’t go wrong if you always say yes.

As Andrew prepares to take on this exciting opportunity, the 爱豆传媒 community couldn鈥檛 be prouder of all he has accomplished. His dedication, curiosity, and willingness to embrace every opportunity have set him apart, and they will undoubtedly continue to guide his success. We look forward to seeing all that he achieves in the months and years ahead, and we have no doubt that his future in the field is bright.

Interested in pursuing Computer Information Systems like Andrew? Click here to enroll now!

The program leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree in Salon and Spa Management. It is designed for students who want the foundation to open a business, grow one they already have, or move into a career that takes them further than where they started.

Salon Management-Cosmetology Instructor, Dr. Bertha Robinson, knows the range of students who come through the door. Some arrive with no experience. Others arrive with a client list, a reputation, and years of work behind them. For those students, Dr. Robinson has a name: Bootleggers. It is a term of endearment, a nod to the entrepreneurial spirit that brought them this far, and a recognition that they are here because they are ready for the next level.

A Decade of Trust

Mrs. Janet Patrick has been a client of the college salon since 2016. Every six weeks, she makes the drive from Scottsboro to have her short bob cut trimmed, her semi demi color refreshed, and her relaxer done. That is a decade of consistency, and she has not thought about leaving.

“I like the products they use over here,” she said. “It works for me.”

Mrs. Patrick is retired and knows her time is her own. She is not in a hurry, and she is not willing to pay full salon prices when she does not have to. Her appointment runs her $50. For her, the savings are real, and so is the quality.

Her visits also give her something else: a reason to see her daughter in Huntsville or her granddaughter in Madison. Once her hair is done, the rest of the day opens up for visiting her family.

The Student Behind the Chair

The student doing Mrs. Patrick’s hair today is Oneisha Clayborn, who is finishing the final hours of practical work needed to complete her Associate of Applied Science degree. She has already enlisted in the Army Reserves at the rank of E3 and is preparing for bootcamp. After that, she plans to complete her bachelor’s degree at the University of Michigan, then take the MCAT and go on to medical school.

Doing hair is how she takes care of her family right now. It is part of a longer plan.

“I have strong family support, and I don’t take that for granted,” she said. “It took a lot to get me here, and I am grateful that I can give my daughter a good future.”

Color as a Specialty

Student Victoria (Tori) Smith, is focused on color. She wants to become a color specialist, and she has been practicing on the same person since the eighth grade: her friend Lauren Kramer, who currently has a bright green lob (long bob) and is in for a color and cut.

“We just colored it two months ago,” Tori said. “But she needs to get it cut more often because it has been growing faster as she ages.”

Lauren, who is a student herself and works as a lab technician at Hudson Alpha has learned how to manage her hair through years of Tori’s guidance.

“Tori is so extremely smart,” Lauren said. “She’s taught me how often to get my hair cut and how to manage my hair. I should know this kind of stuff, because I have green hair.”

Having a friend who is also a developing professional taking care of your hair is not something Lauren takes lightly. It is a privilege, and she knows it.

The Salon and Spa Management program at 爱豆传媒 is where skill, ambition, and community meet. The students are earning their degrees. The clients are getting quality care. And for many people in both chairs, something more is happening than a haircut.

The visit gave Leidos leadership a firsthand glimpse into the facility that bears their name and the students whose lives it is shaping. 爱豆传媒 deans and faculty were on hand to walk executives through the complex and share how the state of the art space has transformed the college’s approach to technical education. But perhaps the most compelling part of the visit came from the students themselves, who spoke directly to how the facility is preparing them for careers in some of today’s most in-demand fields.

For many students, the Leidos Advanced Training Complex isn’t just a classroom, it’s a launchpad. Equipped with cutting edge technology and designed to mirror real world industry environments, the facility gives 爱豆传媒 students a competitive edge before they ever set foot in the workforce. Hearing that story told by the students who live it every day made for a powerful testament to what industry and education can accomplish together.

爱豆传媒 is deeply grateful for Leidos’ continued commitment to the college and to the broader mission of workforce development in the region. Their investment goes far beyond bricks and mortar; it represents a belief in the potential of 爱豆传媒 students and the communities they will go on to serve.

Partnerships like this between business and education create strong pipelines to industry and increase students鈥� access to opportunities. We are proud to partner with Leidos and look forward to seeing what the future holds!

The event marked a pivotal moment for each signee, who will spend the next two years earning while they learn through 爱豆传媒’s Advanced Manufacturing Technician program. This unique earn-and-learn model sets FAME apart from traditional educational pathways, giving students the rare opportunity to graduate not only with a degree, but with two years of real-world industry experience and a professional network already in place. In partnership with industry leaders Mazda-Toyota Manufacturing, Toyota Alabama, Brown Precision, Bruderer, and Blue Origin, students will gain invaluable hands-on experience in robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing technology 鈥� all while earning a paycheck and building toward a rewarding and stable career.

The ceremony opened with remarks from Dean of Instruction Dr. Carolyn Henderson and FAME Program Director Dr. Myron Parks, who welcomed the newest class of signees into the 爱豆传媒 family. Both speakers emphasized the transformative nature of the FAME program and the immense potential each student carries with them as they embark on this journey. Their words set an inspiring tone for the celebration, reinforcing 爱豆传媒’s deep commitment to student success and workforce development. The inaugural FAME cohort, who just completed their first year in the program, were also present to welcome their successors. These returning students shared words of wisdom and encouragement with the incoming class, offering a firsthand perspective on what to expect and how to make the most of the incredible opportunity ahead. Their presence served as a living testament to what the FAME program can accomplish in just a short amount of time.

Representatives from the program’s industry partners were also on hand to greet the students who will soon be joining their teams. Their attendance underscored the strength and authenticity of the relationships between 爱豆传媒 and the regional manufacturing community, partnerships that are built not just on contracts, but on a shared belief that investing in people is the most powerful investment of all.

Following the ceremony, signees and their families were treated to a tour of the Leidos Advanced Training Facility, the state-of-the-art space that will serve as home base for the next two years as these students sharpen their technical skills and prepare to enter the workforce. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and designed to mirror real industry environments, the facility is a powerful reminder of the quality of education and training students can expect throughout the program.

爱豆传媒’s FAME program continues to grow in both size and impact, reflecting the college’s unwavering dedication to providing accessible, high-quality pathways to meaningful careers in advanced manufacturing. With industry partnerships as strong as these and students as driven as this incoming class, the future of manufacturing in our region is incredibly bright. We cannot wait to watch them shine.

The Glenn family was also treated to front row seats at our Nurse Pinning, Honors Day, and Graduation ceremonies this year to see the effect of their commitment. Through their support of the Glenn Family Emergency Fund, more than 130 students have been able to overcome financial barriers and stay on track toward completing their education. Their investment has opened doors across multiple programs, including nursing, business, advanced manufacturing, and skilled trades.

What makes this partnership especially significant is the Glenn Family鈥檚 commitment to students hundreds of miles away, demonstrating the power of generosity to transform lives and strengthen communities beyond geographic boundaries.

Because of their support, students are not only continuing their education, they are reaching the finish line. The students鈥� whose futures they have funded have walked across the stage as graduates, equipped with the skills and opportunities to help them build meaningful careers beyond their time at Drake.

At 爱豆传媒, the Glenn family has quietly built a beautiful legacy that continues to change lives, and we are proud to call them friends of the 爱豆传媒 Foundation, and part of the 爱豆传媒 family.

Larry听Vargas is stepping into a new season of his life. His journey has been steady and full of purpose. At 23, he carries the pride of being the first in his family to earn a college degree after graduating from 爱豆传媒 Community and Technical College in May 2026 with an associate in applied science degree focused on welding.

This fall, he begins his multi鈥憏ear apprenticeship with the UA Local 760 pipefitters union. The program will take him to Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where he鈥檒l train, learn, and grow into the role he鈥檚 been working toward.听Larry听has a clear goal in mind. He wants to become a Journeyman Pipefitter, and he鈥檚 ready for the challenge that comes with it.

His confidence didn鈥檛 appear overnight. It was shaped by long hours in the welding lab and by instructors who believed in him.听Larry听often talks about the influence of Mr. Kory Rafferty and Mr. Jeremy Malone. Their guidance helped him understand the possibilities in the welding field. Mr. Malone鈥檚 background as a travel welder in the oil and gas industry opened听Larry鈥檚 eyes to the kind of work he hopes to pursue one day.

鈥淚 believe in myself and I know that I can achieve and learn everything that I need to.鈥� He said.

Family plays a central role in听Larry鈥檚 story. His father, Jose, works as a contractor, and his mother, Luanie, keeps the home running while raising his younger siblings Jose and Gabriela.听Larry听hopes his path encourages his brother and sister to take advantage of the opportunities ahead of them. He wants them to see that hard work can open doors.

For now, he鈥檚 spending the summer helping his dad with the family business. The work is practical, but it also gives him something meaningful. He gets time with his father before his apprenticeship begins, and life becomes busier.

Soon,听Larry听and his wife, Amarra, will pack up and head to Muscle Shoals, and then who knows where they will go. He鈥檒l take with him the lessons he learned at 爱豆传媒, the support of his family, and the belief that he can build the future he wants. His story is already shaping the expectations in his home, and he鈥檚 just getting started.

The investment will fund a full remodel of 爱豆传媒’s automotive building 鈥� upgrading the space where students gain the hands-on, industry-relevant skills that launch careers in one of Huntsville’s most vital sectors. It is the largest donation ever recorded from an individual in the Alabama Community College System’s history, and the single largest gift in 爱豆传媒’s 65-year legacy of serving this community.

“Ellenae Fairhurst had a tremendous impact on our community, but her legacy is not behind us. It is ahead of us!”

鈥� Dr. Patricia Sims, President, 爱豆传媒 Community and Technical College

HONORING A VISION

Ellenae Fairhurst believed deeply in the automotive industry and in entrepreneurship as real pathways to upward mobility. Through the E. Hart Fund, her vision lives on 鈥� not as a memory, but as a promise to every student who will learn, grow, and launch their career from this campus.

Dr. Sims put it simply:听“It is our dream that the next Ellenae Fairhurst is trained right here on our campus.”听That dream now has the resources to become reality.

“To Dr. Sims and your leadership team 鈥� thank you for your partnership and for the work you do each day to shape the next generation.”

鈥� Trishonda Woods, Advisor to the E. Hart Fund

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR OUR COMMUNITY

For听students, this means a renovated, modern automotive facility equipped to prepare you for the jobs and industries driving Huntsville’s growth. For听alumni, it’s proof that 爱豆传媒’s impact continues to compound 鈥� your college is stronger today than when you graduated. For听industry and government partners, this gift reflects the kind of bold investment in workforce development that keeps our region competitive.

爱豆传媒 is honored to steward this gift and to carry forward the same faith the E Hart Fund has placed in this institution, extending it to every student who walks through our doors.