Companies, educators, students and parents came together at the Odessa College Sports Center Thursday to celebrate students who signed letters of intent to further their education in fields like automotive and diesel, welding and criminal justice.
Dean of the School of Business and Industry Gene White said Thursday was a key milestone in the lives of students as they committed to unlocking opportunities in their chosen careers.
“Our programs are carefully designed to align with industry demands providing our students with practical experience, critical thinking abilities and technical knowledge needed to succeed. Whether it’s in the automotive technology, healthcare, welding or IT, we prepare our students to be proficient and skilled professionals in their fields,” White said.
He added that the CTE programs affect not just the students but the entire community.
“It’s about empowering economic growth, enhancing community, well-being and creating success pathways that were once just dreams. Today as our students pledge to pursue their professional passions, we celebrate not just their choices, but also the critical role that the typical education plays in our broader economic landscape,” White said.
About 50 students signed letters of intent.
Manny Rodriguez, program manager for Kubota Tech, represented NC3. He congratulated the students on taking the first steps toward “a great and fruitful career.”
Rodriguez advised students to “always stay hungry and allow yourself to continue to grow.”
He added that he is looking forward to seeing the students progress through their career at Odessa College.
NC3 also issues Snap-on certifications in partnership with OC and plans to bring in others.
“It’s worked out great,” Rodriguez said before the ceremony.
He added that it speaks to the leadership of OC and the instructors.
“They really push forward and provide the best that they can for the students,” Rodriguez said.
Stacy Schroeder, senior manager of Kubota University, an entirely dealer facing training organization, congratulated the students on making a great choice.
He noted that in some of the CTE oriented fields, for every five people that exit the CTE roles, there are only two scheduled to come in.
Schroeder also told students to find their talent. From a selfish perspective, he said he hoped they found their talent was solving problems and “making broke things work again.”
He added that the students should do things that their future selves will thank them for such as starting in your early 20s to put $100 a month in S&P index funds to save money, volunteer, make friends with similar interests and show up on time for your job, ready to work.
White, who has been at OC for about 16 months, said some students will stay in the Permian Basin and others will move to other locations. Students ranged from dual credit to OC students.
“One of our big goals here is to make sure that we are providing our students with an opportunity to have a livable wage when they graduate from here, so we’re in the process of trying to make sure that we’re unlocking those opportunities for those students,” he added.
Mason Fletcher, an OC student, said he thought the event was great because there are going to be a lot more people coming into the industry. Being an auto and diesel instructor and former auto technician, he got to see both worlds and like Schroeder said, they’re seeing more people leaving than coming in.
“It’s kind of one of those deals where it’s nice to see that so many people are interested in coming into the auto diesel world,” Fletcher said.
Iyonnah McMiller, an OCTECHS student, who signed a letter of intent said she is studying criminal justice. Her grandmother has worked in the justice system. McMiller said she wants to be a prosecutor.
McMiller said she enjoyed the event, but was a little apprehensive at first.
“I was nervous, but I was really excited to see how everything worked and meet everyone,” she added.
