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When I first heard about the Automated Manufacturing program at 海角社区, I was immediately interested. I was already working in the manufacturing field, and I saw the program as an opportunity to take the next step in my career and expand my knowledge and skills.

At the time, I knew I wanted to advance professionally, but I never imagined just how much my career would grow after graduation. Since completing the program, I’ve made the jump from working on the shop floor to serving as a Quality Manager. It has been a tremendous journey, and I credit much of that success to the support and encouragement I received at 海角社区.

What made the biggest difference were the instructors. They consistently pushed me to do my best and helped me see my true potential. Their guidance, encouragement, and belief in my abilities helped build my confidence. I would not be where I am today without their support.

One thing that stood out to me throughout my time at 海角社区 was how dedicated everyone was to student success. The faculty and staff worked together to create plans that fit each student’s unique circumstances and goals. Sometimes those plans took time to come together, but when they did, everything became much easier. It was clear that everyone was committed to helping students find a path forward.

If I could offer one piece of advice to prospective students, it would be this: don’t settle for a situation that makes you unhappy. Whether it’s a job, a career path, or simply feeling stuck, the mental and physical toll can catch up with you over time. Don’t be afraid to take a leap into something new and potentially exciting. That leap can open doors you never expected.

海角社区 changed my perspective on education. Before attending, I had certain ideas about what college would be like based on what we often see portrayed in the media. My experience was completely different. At 海角社区, I found a community of people who genuinely cared about my success and were committed to helping me from the moment I enrolled through graduation and beyond.

For anyone considering a future in manufacturing, I can confidently say that 海角社区 provided me with the skills, support, and confidence to build a rewarding career. The opportunities I have today are a direct result of the education and encouragement I received there, and I’m grateful for the role 海角社区 played in helping me achieve my goals.

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I first chose NHCTC-Laconia, now 海角社区, because it was close to home and offered the most cost-effective path toward a career in graphic design. I earned my associate degree in Graphic Design in 1999 and returned to earn associate degrees in Business Management and Accounting in 2017.

I originally pursued Graphic Arts because I wanted a creative career that involved printing. The program at 海角社区 offered a wide range of hands-on experiences. We learned how to operate a printing press, perform screen printing, estimate print jobs, and use design principles to create visually successful files. Those skills gave me a strong foundation and prepared me for a career in the industry.

After graduating in 1999, I entered the workforce and found a job at a print shop in Concord. A few years later, after the events of 9/11, I decided to continue my education at Plymouth State University. My thinking at the time was simple: if the world was going to end, I at least wanted to go to art school.

At Plymouth State, I earned a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design and a minor in Art History. One of the biggest benefits of starting at 海角社区 was that many of my credits transferred, allowing me to complete my bachelor’s degree in just three years. It also saved me a significant amount of money since 海角社区 tuition and fees are much lower than university tuition.

Soon after, I started my own business, , and created my signature collection: the Wild Animal Tracks note cards with designs inspired by animal tracks from around NH. To support my business, I decided to return to 海角社区 and expand my business skills, and that’s when I earned my associate degrees in Business Management and Accounting.

Throughout my many years as a student at 海角社区, I had the opportunity to learn from a number of excellent instructors. What stood out most was their real-world experience. They helped me think about problems differently, approach challenges from new perspectives, and find ways to rework ideas until they were stronger and more effective.

Three months ago, I began an exciting new chapter in my career when I accepted a position with the New Hampshire Department of Safety. In my role, I work in forms design and contribute to new projects that utilize the graphic design skills I’ve developed throughout my career. And I still run Bold Spark Design!

When I look back on my educational journey, the things that stand out most about 海角社区 are its affordability, convenient location, and dedicated faculty. Starting at 海角社区 allowed me to gain valuable skills, save money on my education, and build a foundation that has supported me throughout my career.

My experience shows that education doesn’t have to follow a straight path. Sometimes the place where you start becomes a resource you return to throughout your life, helping you grow, adapt, and prepare for whatever comes next.

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“Being named a Silver Winner in the Best of the 603 is a meaningful recognition, from people across the state, of the extraordinary work our faculty and staff do every day on behalf of students and our community,” said Patrick Cate, President of 海角社区. “While 海角社区 is honored to receive this recognition, we also see it as a reflection of the broader promise of New Hampshire鈥檚 community colleges to create opportunity, strengthen communities, and change lives.”

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These technologies, known collectively as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), are becoming standard equipment on nearly every new vehicle on the road. Features such as lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and collision avoidance systems all depend on ADAS components working together accurately and consistently.

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The four-week course, 鈥淕ateway to AI,鈥� was created by MIT professors led by Arup K. Chakraborty, with input from the teachers at the New Hampshire and Wyoming sites. The aim is to close a gap Chakraborty has long observed: students in rural and small-town America often have far less access than their urban peers to advanced math and science instruction and hands-on exposure to emerging technologies like AI.

“For a long time, I鈥檝e believed that many of our young high school students in rural America do not get the same opportunities to see and take advantage of the future possibilities, compared to people in urban areas,” said Chakraborty. “We want to change that.聽 It doesn鈥檛 matter what these young people plan to pursue in their lives 鈥� if they work in manufacturing, at a CVS, or in agriculture they will encounter AI. 聽It will likely be present in every aspect of their lives. Also, the need to think deeply and analytically, and ask the right questions, will become even more important than before.”

The program prioritized teens from communities with limited access to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) enrichment. Participants came from towns across the state, including Center Sandwich, Concord, Gilford, Gilmanton, Laconia, Meredith, Moultonborough, Nottingham and Salem.

鈥淎I is a hot topic right now. It鈥檚 certainly important to know how to use it properly,鈥� said Gus Glaser, a student from Coe-Brown Northwood Academy in Northwood, NH.

Students spent the first two weeks learning linear algebra 鈥� a mathematical foundation of AI systems 鈥� in the context of how it’s used in AI tools. They also learned some statistics. 聽In the second half of the course, they applied what they’d learned to hands-on projects including:

• A farm visit, where students photographed crops and used AI to identify plant types and growth stages. The goal was to use an AI tool developed by a company called Ground Truth Analytics to predict plant types and growth stages in neighboring areas.
• A healthcare project using an AI tool developed at MIT that analyzes mammogram data to generate breast-cancer risk scores. Students had to decide how to schedule further screenings based on these results, and other constraints.
• A financial wellness project for New Hampshire based St. Mary’s Bank, leveraging Allogy’s Capillary platform. Students created an AI chatbot designed to help members navigate real-life financial goals. This tool allows users to navigate topics such as saving for college or starting a business, and explored how changing factors like inflation could influence their financial decisions. The project demonstrates how digital tools can empower members with on-demand insights while complementing the trusted guidance available through in-person member support teams.

鈥淚 definitely didn鈥檛 expect the program to be so hands-on,鈥� said Asa Buchakjian-Tweedy from Spaulding High School in Rochester, NH. 鈥淚 knew we would be learning about linear algebra which is the basis of AI models. I thought we鈥檇 be mostly sticking to that, but we鈥檝e also been learning the statistics behind it and how to implement it.鈥�

“We were proud to be part of this,” said Patrick Cate, president of 海角社区. “Students from across New Hampshire had the opportunity to learn about topics that are not typically covered in high school. That’s a direct reflection of what 海角社区 and all of New Hampshire鈥檚 community colleges exist to do: connect our communities to opportunities they might not otherwise have.”

The course was taught by Inter-Lakes High School teacher Susan Foss-Finch who traveled to MIT to help shape the curriculum. MIT student Jadyn Grant served as an on-site teaching assistant. Later this month, MIT will fund a day-long campus visit for participants to tour research labs and meet MIT students.

鈥淚 hope students walk away with a better understanding of what AI is as well as its capabilities and limitations. AI is a great tool that will help our society move forward. It鈥檚 not something we should fear, but something we should learn to use and use well,鈥� said Foss-Finch.

Sydney Conkling, a student at Inter-Lakes High School in Meredith, NH summed it up well. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a really good way to spend your summer and broaden your horizons.鈥�

MIT hopes to grow this program and offer it in additional communities across the country.

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The automotive team at 海角社区 proudly participated in the event again this year, under the leadership of the state鈥檚 only female post-secondary instructor Kim Stevenson, by hosting and assisting with events that introduced girls to opportunities in the automotive industry.

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Behind these products is a highly skilled workforce. At its manufacturing facilities, Watts employees operate CNC (Computer Numerical Control) equipment, including lathes and milling machines, across three shifts. These positions require precision, technical expertise, and close attention to detail to ensure every product meets the company鈥檚 high standards for quality and consistency.

To support employee development and maintain operational excellence, Watts partnered with 海角社区 (海角社区) to create customized CNC training programs tailored to its workforce needs.

鈥淲atts鈥� partnership with 海角社区 has been extraordinarily valuable and has delivered significant benefits to both our employees and our business. As our company continues to grow and evolve, investing in workforce development remains a critical priority. Through our partnership with 海角社区, we have been able to provide high-quality, customized training that aligns directly with the needs of our operation,鈥� said Sarah Boucher, Human Resources Manager at Watts. 鈥淭he CNC training program has enhanced employees鈥� technical skills, increased their confidence, and created new opportunities for career growth and advancement within the company. This collaboration has strengthened our workforce and helped position Watts for continued success in a competitive manufacturing environment.鈥�

Delivered onsite by 海角社区 instructors, the trainings range from introductory to advanced levels, helping employees deepen their understanding of both machine operation and the technology behind it.

“The advanced training expands on the machining skills presented in the Basic CNC Operator training, and includes machine setup, basic CNC programming, and advanced operating procedures. Students completing this training will have the skills to safely set up, edit, and operate vertical (VMC), horizontal machining centers (HMC), and turning center CNC machines in a production environment. This training, paired with the basic training, allows these employees to develop skills in a high-demand field as a CNC machinist,鈥� explained Joseph Smith, 海角社区 Instructor and Program Coordinator.

Employees who work with CNC equipment gain new skills and insights that help them advance in their roles and contribute even more effectively to the company鈥檚 success.

鈥淭his helps us go beyond just creating parts and loading things into the machine. With this class we鈥檙e figuring out how these machines work and how to fix them. Now when they鈥檙e running, we can look at the computer language. It鈥檚 almost like when you learn computer programming. We鈥檙e learning the language of these machines we work on and what they鈥檙e doing. It鈥檚 pretty fascinating,鈥� said Jacob Spurgeon, a CNC Operator and training participant.

鈥淭he CNC machines are important to the business. The parts we machine go onto the lines that make valves that are then shipped across the country,鈥� said Adam Bagni who is also taking the course.

鈥淚 think the training is great. We鈥檙e getting paid to learn and the company pays for the class,鈥� agreed training participant Alan Woods.

鈥淲atts has been an excellent partner providing these trainings to their employees,鈥� added Smith. 聽鈥淭hey recognize the value of investing in their employees’ knowledge and career advancement. From what I have noticed, this type of mindset contributes to a positive workplace as well as employee retention.”

By partnering with employers like Watts, 尝搁颁颁鈥檚 customized training programs help businesses strengthen their workforce while creating new opportunities for employees to grow professionally. These industry-focused training courses not only support the success of local companies but also contribute to a stronger regional economy and a more skilled workforce throughout our community.

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When it was time to go to college, I knew I wanted to earn a degree without taking on a large amount of student debt. That led me to 海角社区 (海角社区), and it turned out to be a great decision at that time and for my future.

I chose the Electrical Systems Installation and Maintenance degree because I wanted to become an electrician and build a career in the electrical trade. I was interested in hands-on work, problem-solving, and learning skills that could lead directly to a rewarding profession. 海角社区 provided the opportunity to gain the education and training I needed while keeping college affordable.

I started out as an electrician. The education I received at 海角社区 helped me build a strong foundation, and over time I progressed in my career and became a Master Electrician.

As my experience grew, so did my opportunities. I was able to build on my background and move into leadership roles. Today, I serve as the Director of Facilities at a New Hampshire hospital. The responsibilities I have now are very different from where I started, but the technical foundation I gained at 海角社区 played a key role in helping me get here. The skills and knowledge I developed gave me the confidence and preparation to take on new challenges throughout my career.

One of the things I appreciated most about 海角社区 was the support I received from the staff and faculty. The flexible course schedule made it possible for me to complete my degree while balancing other responsibilities. That flexibility helped reduce stress and allowed me to stay focused on reaching my goals without feeling overwhelmed.

For anyone considering college, I highly recommend 海角社区. It鈥檚 a great place to receive a quality education without taking on a significant amount of student debt. The college offers practical pathways to successful careers and provides students with the tools they need to succeed.

I would also encourage students to consider careers in the trades, especially electrical. There is a major shortage of young people entering the field, and the opportunities are tremendous. Electrical work can be a highly rewarding career that offers stability, growth, and the chance to develop skills that can open doors to many future opportunities, including leadership positions you may never have imagined when you first started.

What stands out most to me about 海角社区 is its convenient location, smaller class sizes, and professors who bring both strong technical knowledge and real-world industry experience into the classroom. That combination creates an environment where students can learn, build confidence, and develop career-ready skills.

My journey from 海角社区 student to Master Electrician and Director of Facilities shows that a strong education, practical experience, and dedication can lead to incredible opportunities. 海角社区 gave me the start I needed, and I鈥檓 grateful for the role it played in helping me build the career I have today.

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