Support sparks student success for Automotive Technologies programs
The Automotive Technologies Program has received recently donated vehicles that ensure students are learning the latest and greatest in this fast-changing industry. Director of Automotive Technologies Julia Furry said, “Our Automotive Technologies program is fortunate to have a strong advisory board that fully supports the program and its mission, including through valuable donations that support our students.”
Ford Motors presented a 2024 Ford Mustang GT to the college at the Automotive Technologies Center. Furry thanked the Brandt family of locally owned Capitol Ford and Angela Shumaker, Ford Motor Company Technical Placement Specialist, who was instrumental in securing the vehicle for SFCC.
“Being able to provide our community partners with tools to enhance the student experience means so much to Ford Motor Company,” said Shumaker. “We want to continue to seek strategies to optimize teaching opportunities amidst a heightened demand for automotive professionals. We couldn’t do any of this without the partnership and the passion of the educators, like Julia Furry and Allen Mirabal.”
Also, through substantial support from SFCC Foundation, the Santa Fe Porche Club, and a major private donor, the college purchased a Switch Lab EV Trainer. The electric vehicle (EV) trainer arrived as a bare rolling chassis along with boxes containing various parts and components. Students will take an introductory class in the fall that covers the full range of automotive electrical systems. Once they have mastered essential safety skills and an understanding of electrical systems, in the spring they can enroll in a class where they will build an EV from scratch.
Instructor Allen Mirabal, who went through training on the EV and will teach the class, noted, “The Switch EV Trainer vehicle is a game changer when it comes to hybrid/electric vehicles. It’s fun to build, but also challenging.”
Students will learn about low -and high- voltage systems. They will learn best practices, high voltage safety, understand the difference in EV chargers, learn troubleshooting techniques, learn how to build and balance battery cell packs, write the controller software for functionality and learn teamworking skills, and get to drive the vehicle after it is built.
Visit the Automotive Technologies Program to learn more or email julia.furry@sfcc.edu. To learn how you can support students through donations, visit SFCC Foundation or contact Executive Director Kelly A.Marquez at kelly.marquez@sfcc.edu.
