More than 35 high school students participated in NC3 Signing Day Feb. 21 at TCC Northwest. Similar to events when student athletes sign their letter of intent to play at a particular college or university, NC3 Signing day celebrates students’ commitment to pursue a technical certification once they finish high school. This was TCC’s first ever NC3 Signing Day.
Sponsored by Community Education and Engagement at TCC Northwest and TCC’s College Access and Community Outreach office, this event was held in partnership with Lake Worth and Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISDs and the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3). The Northwest campus joined more than 30 other college campuses across the country, including TCC South, in hosting an NC3 Signing Day event. All events were livestreamed so students’ family and friends could join in the celebration.
Daniela Molina, coordinator of Community Education and Engagement, was instrumental in planning the event.
“This signing day is an important event because it gives students an opportunity to be celebrated and honored for making a decision to pursue career and technical education,” she said. “The importance of bringing in school and industry partners is to work together in creating highly skilled, job-ready professionals through a growing network of educational partners and global industry leaders.”
In addition to participating in the signing ceremony, students were welcomed by both TCC Northwest President Zarina Blankenbaker and TCC Chancellor Eugene Giovannini. John Gamble, education partnerships manager from Snap-on, and Bill Randall, strategic account manager for Daniels Manufacturing Corporation, also spoke at the event and delivered powerful messages about the importance of this day for students.
“Having John Gamble and Bill Randall not only attend this event, but feel strongly enough about it that they were willing to deliver remarks, really highlights how important our industry partners view this event,” said Kirsten Cooper, executive director of Community Education and Engagement. “It’s a beautiful thing to truly advance the cause of our community and to see it play out in such a positive, affirming way for our students.”
