November 2010

Duncan Aviation lands at Jabara Airport to tour NCAT

Several representatives from Duncan Aviation, the largest, family-owned maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in the world, flew into Jabara Airport from their location in Lincoln, Nebraska to visit the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT). Kent Irick, the Director of Aviation Technologies, and Jon Pine, the Program Coordinator of Composites and Aerostructures,  led them on a tour of the facility.

Duncan Aviation representatives commented on seeing the beginning of stability within the aviation industry, especially within aviation maintenance. What interested Duncan Aviation most were WATC’s Aviation Maintenance Technology – Airframe and Powerplant, Avionics, Aerospace Coatings and Paint Technologies, and Composites programs.

“Duncan Aviation representatives were impressed with our facility and capabilities, and described NCAT as a ‘one-stop shop for aviation training needs’,” said Jon Pine.

 “Now that NCAT is open and establishing the standard for world-class aviation training, employers are beginning to seek out the services that NCAT has to offer,” commented Kent Irick.

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GED Student Monica Del Rio and Associate Vice President, Adult Literacy Margaret Harris

Monica Del Rio is not only completing her General Educational Development (GED) test preparation this semester, but she also successfully earned a certificate of completion for Certified Nurse Aide during the same semester.

“You get stuck in life without it,” Monica said when asked about obtaining her GED.

Monica dropped out of school when she was in the 8th grade. Education was not stressed as a priority growing up.    It was more important for her to work and help support her family.  ”We never had opportunities,” she said.

Monica is fluent in both English and Spanish. Her temperament and personality make her a good fit for the the healthcare profession.

“This isn’t for everyone,” said Margaret Harris, Associate Vice President of the Adult Literacy program.

“Our charge is to create a community of learners, and impact their family as well,” said Margaret. “The GED training is just a path for Monica. We don’t want her to stop there. She has a strong commitment to continue.”

Monica’s husband is also enrolled in the GED program. They have a 7-year old daughter.  ”Our family studies together,” said Monica.

“I am thankful to Mrs. Harris for suggesting opportunities such as the KanGo grant (for my CNA course). Mrs. Harris has opened doors for me.”

Monica hopes to continue on to obtain Home Health Aide certificate of completion, and then begin the Practical Nurse program in January, 2011.

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Sherry Aguirre and Robin Wallace, instructors for the Surgical Technology Program at WATC, have been on both sides of the fence. Both are instructors and graduates of the program.

In 1996 Sherry knew she was interested in the medical field.  After graduating she worked as a private scrub in an orthopedic surgeon’s office. After about nine years she decided she wanted to teach others the skills she had learned. She came back to WATC and worked for a year as an adjunct clinical instructor and loved it. She started working full time as a surgical technology instructor in 2006. About six months later she became the Director of the Surgical Technology Program.

When asked what she enjoys about the surgical technology program, she said it’s usually when the students “get it.”

“At some point a light clicks on for students and they begin to excel. They become driven to work independently. “

WATC offers both a Technical Certificate and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Surgical Technology. Many students come to the program with previous credits and enroll in the technnical certificate program to help complete requirements for an AAS degree.

The technical certificate is a full-time program lasting 10 months. It consists of didactic and lab training, and consists of very hands-on training. One of the unique advantages of the program offered at WATC is that “everything used in the lab is the same equipment and materials used in an actual operating room. WATC has a dedicated, state-of-the art operating room lab.”  This is not the case for other schools that offer the same training.

Local Support

The following local businesses are members of  healthcare industry advocate teams who advise WATC educators, administrators, and Board of Trustees regarding the program:

• Galichia Heart
• Ridgewood Surgery Endoscopy
• South Central Kansas Regional Medical Center
• Susan B. Allen Hospital
• Team Vision
• VA Hospital
• Via Christi-St. Joe
• Via-Christi-St Teresa
• Wesley

Advantages and Transferability

Some advantages that students see from working in the surgical technology field are:

• Flexiblity to work different shifts
• Flexbility for a student to continue their education while working
• Some hospitals pay for their staff to continue their education

The training here at WATC can be a stepping stone for other opportunities. If a student wanted to continue on to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, the general education credits transfer to other universities.  Newman offers a bachelor degree in Healthcare Science.

WATC Surgical Technology Graduating Class of 1997. WATC Surgical Technology Program Director Sherry Aguirre is on the second row from the bottom, far right.

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Instructor Brandon Hunt at the door of the paint mixing room. This is where we will train students on mixing samples for color development and adjustment.

WATC is offering a new program beginning January 2011 and wants to launch it by awarding scholarships to the first 10 people interested who meet the scholarship requirements. The program is for a technical certificate in Aerospace Coatings and Paint Technology.   

Scholarships will cover full tuition and fees. The technical certificate of Aerospace Coatings and Paint Technology is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.  The program consists of 44 credit hours and costs approximately $6,853.00. 

Interested applicants can complete the Aerospace Coatings and Paint Technology Scholarship online. 

The coatings program will equip students to enter the aviation field in an area that combines technology and art.  Students will learn about coatings composition explaining why the coatings offer protective qualities.  In addition, students will be trained in the skill of coatings application and maintenance, and learn the art of creating and matching colors and special effects.  The combination of a broad knowledge of aerospace coatings and methods of application provides students with the ability to move into an array of employment opportunities.  Students will have the skills necessary to enter laboratory or support positions at coatings suppliers and laboratory or production positions in manufacturing and refinish shops.    

The courses in this program will provide training for aircraft painters, lab technicians, and engineering technicians related to coatings used throughout the certification and manufacturing process. WATC courses cover beginner, intermediate, and advanced topics in coatings, and will provide insight into coatings, how it relates to aerospace, application, lab testing, color, and detail work. 

“These scholarships are a great opportunity for a student to begin a career in an exciting, high-tech, high-wage profession,” said Sheree Utash, Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Learner Services.

Apply for the scholarship.

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Kent has worked at WATC as a loaned executive from Cessna as the Interim Director of Aviation Technologies for the past several months.  He has worked at Cessna for the past 32 years in many capacities, most recently as the organization’s Training Manager for over six years.  He has an Associate’s Degree in Aviation Maintenance from Cowley County Community College and a BS degree in Human Resources Development and Business Quality Management from Southwestern College.  He is certified by the FAA with an Airframe and Powerplant license and in 2007, received his certification from Textron as a Six Sigma Green Belt.  He is an avid motorcyclist and enjoys golf and camping. 

Kent stated that he is looking forward to being a member of the team here at WATC and is looking forward to this opportunity.  He anticipates that this position will give him new challenges to grow. He will officially begin his duties in this position on January 3, 2011.

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The College will be closed November 22 through November 28.  This includes all offices and IT support for students.

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WATC President Tony Kinkel featured in a Wichita Business Journal profile.

WATC President Tony Kinkel

Tony Kinkel enjoys building a team.

Kinkel, the new president at Wichita Area Technical College, is a former high school basketball coach and still coaches his son’s fourth-grade team in Colorado.

He’s also spent the bulk of his career building teams out of educational institutions and the communities and businesses that surround them.

And the opportunity he sees to build a team around WATC and the National Center for Aviation Training in southcentral Kansas has him “humbled and honored” to accept his new post.
Read more: WATC President Tony Kinkel sees creating partnerships as the key to success | Wichita Business Journal

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The Academic Success Center (ASC) at Southside will be closing at 5:00 pm on the following dates:

• Tuesday, November 9, 2010
• Tuesday, November 16, 2010
• Thursday, November 18, 2010

Students who need to take test in the ASC at Southside should make arrangements accordingly.

The ASC at Southside is located across the hall from the library.  The computer lab in the library will remain open until 8:00 pm as normal.

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Student Orientation provides new students valuable information to help ensure a good experience right from the start. The goal is to provide students an opportunity to connect with their peers as well as to make them aware of resources available to help them succeed. Orientation not only helps to ease anxiety for new students, but it helps students navigate the education process and try to ensure a good experience from the beginning.

“We are so excited to meet all the new students who will be beginning a new academic year with us. Attending orientation is a student’s first step to success when they begin college”, said Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Learner Services Sheree Utash.

New students are encouraged to sign up for one of four orientation sessions to be held in January, 2011. Students can contact an advisor by calling 316.677.9400 to regstier for the oreientation session. The sessions are scheduled as follows:

• Thursday, January 11, 2011 at 9:00 am
  Locaton: Southside Center – Directions
• Thursday, January 11, 2011 at 6:00 pm
  Locaton: Southside Center – Directions
• Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 9:00 am
  Location: National Center for Aviation Training – Directions
• Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 6:00 pm
  Location:  National Center for Aviation Training – Directions

Students who RSVP on Facebook will be automatically entered into a drawing for prizes given away during the sessions.

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