centered. “We’re still a nurturing environment,” she says.“Our classes are small, usually no more than 20 to 24 students, allowing us to really spend time and energy on each individual.” In recruiting faculty, Asnuntuck looks beyond credentials alone. Timothy St. James, the Dean of Students and Faculty, explains,“We want people who are proficient in their fields and genuinely invested in helping students improve their lives.” The goal is to create a technically skilled faculty dedicated to teaching as a craft, people who see their roles as mentors, not just lecturers.This approach shapes an environment where students feel understood and guided throughout their educational journey. Mary Bidwell, Director of Advanced Manufacturing, takes pride in Asnuntuck’s approach to technical education, particularly within her own department. “Our advanced manufacturing instructors are industry veterans,” she says. Many instructors are program graduates who worked in the field before returning to teaching, bringing insight that resonates with students. “They know where our students are headed because they’ve been there themselves.”This hands-on experience gives Asnuntuck’s graduates an edge, linking classroom learning to career realities in a way that textbook-based instruction can’t match. ESTABLISHING PATHWAYS INTO SKILLED TRADES Asnuntuck’s Advanced Manufacturing program is a trailblazer in Connecticut’s community college system, with a legacy that spans nearly 26 years. Established as the state’s first program of its kind, it has since become the template for similar initiatives across Connecticut. Bidwell explains,“Our program’s reputation is built on decades of success. Word-ofmouth referrals are a huge driver for us—people know what they’re going to get when they come to Asnuntuck.” The program offers three specialized tracks: Machine Technology, Robotics and Mechatronics Technician, as well as Welding and Fabrication Technologies. As the only Connecticut community college to provide all three, Asnuntuck has carved out a niche that appeals to traditional students and returning learners seeking hands-on, marketable skills. CT STATE ASNUNTUCK
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