Nash Community College Earns Top SkillsUSA Award
Nash Community College has been named one of the nation’s Models of Excellence for 2023, the highest and competitive recognition for excellence in competitions and curriculum from SkillsUSA.
“Over the last several years, our SkillsUSA team has been awarded Gold Chapter Distinction honors, but even greater this year, we have been named a Model of Excellence,” said Dr. Lew K. Hunnicutt, president of NCC. “This honor shows that our curriculum, instructors, and SkillsUSA team continue to be dedicated to the best quality of framework skills that have a lasting impact on society.”
NCC is one of only 24 schools across the country (and the only in North Carolina) to receive this recognition.
Eight schools are named in each SkillsUSA framework area: Personal Skills, Technical Skills, and Workplace Skills. The college received its honor in the Workplace Skills category. They will compete against the other seven schools in the Workplace Skills category (Workplace Training) for the coveted #1 school in the nation. This competition takes place at the National Leadership and Skills Conference this June in Atlanta.
The Models of Excellence program promotes the intentional learning of personal, workplace and technical skills outlined in the SkillsUSA Framework for student development. Specific characteristics defined within each skill area help ensure tangible benchmarks for student achievement and chapter programming.
NCC also recently competed in the SkillUSA North Carolina Championships, held in Greensboro, North Carolina, at the Greensboro Coliseum and Koury Convention Center (April 18-20). Students competed in hands-on trade, technical and leadership contests spanning over 95 trade areas.
The Nash Community College students listed placed in the following SkillsUSA North Carolina Championships competitions: Josiah Carpenter (1st place in Electronics), Hannah Nguyen (1st place in Job Interview), Keyonna Richardson (2nd place in Nail Care), William Medford (2nd place in Information Technology), Matthew Sessoms (2nd place in Technical Computer Applications), Adrienne Williamson (3rd place in Cosmetology – Beginner Skills), Jennifer Casper (4th place in CNC Turning), Kenaeja Skrine (4th place in Hair Color), Ashley Brantley (4th place in Medical Assisting), Kaitlyn Watson (5th place in Cosmetology), Andrew Richardson (5th place in Computer Programming), Raul Diaz-Mejia (5th place in Mechatronics) and Jahiem Williams (5th place in Mechatronics)
NCC also won the 100 member club award and Gold Chapter of Distinction.
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA is a national organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations and for further education. SkillsUSA was formerly known as VICA (the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America).
Achievement is measured by the effectiveness of student efforts in implementing essential workplace skills including personal responsibility, integrity, work ethic and organization in chapter activities. The hands-on approach of this program actualizes the SkillsUSA mission of empowering members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens.
