San Juan College took part in the NC3 National Letter of Intent Signing on April 20, 2023. This national event mirrors the NCAA's National Signing Day for athletes.
San Juan College took part in the NC3 National Letter of Intent Signing on April 20, 2023. This national event sponsored by the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) mirrors the NCAA’s National Signing Day for athletes who commit to play sports in college. It is designed to honor students who are entering a technical field and to celebrate the dignity of work.
San Juan College participates with 74 institutions across the country
This year, San Juan College participated in this event with 74 institutions across the country. New students from seven local high schools attended the event to sign for the 2023-24 school year and participated in a signing ceremony, similar to an athletic signing. The students represent a variety of career and technical education fields such as building trades, auto body, welding, cosmetology, fire science and veterinary technology. More than 65 students were recognized at the event from Aztec High School, Farmington High School, Gallup High School, Kirtland Central High School, Piedra Vista High School, Rocinante High School and San Juan College High School. Several students who have previously graduated were also acknowledged for their commitment to San Juan College this fall.
Guest speakers
Guest speakers included Superintendent of Aztec Municipal School District, Kevin Summers; Farmington Municipal School District Superintendent Cody Diehl; David Gerken, account manager for Snap- On Industrial; Gayle Dean, executive director of San Juan College Foundation; and Sarita Nair, cabinet secretary of New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions. President Pendergrass and San Juan College Board of Trustees Chairman Rasor also gave remarks at the event.
Rylan Darnell chosen to receive The Skilled Trades-3M Transformational Scholarship
In addition to this celebratory event, Rylan Darnell of San Juan College High School was chosen as a recipient of The Skilled Trades – 3M Transformational Scholarship, a national scholarship through 3M and the National Coalition of Certification Centers. This scholarship provides schools the ability to build within the community by focusing on bridging gaps of inequality with the highest standards of skilled trades and education. Rylan Darnell is planning to study diesel technology. He also participated in May in the national scholarship reception with fellow scholarship recipients. As a global company, 3M is driving workforce representation, a culture of belonging, and equitable outcomes for our employees, businesses and communities through impactful social justice, diversity, equity & inclusion. 3M set a new global, education-focused goal to advance economic equity by creating five million unique STEM and Skilled Trades learning experiences for underrepresented individuals by the end of 2025. For the Skilled Trades area, this is meant to inspire and support future generations of skilled professionals to seek out careers in the important area of Skilled Trades.
San Juan College Foundation awards additional scholarships
As part of the event, the San Juan College Foundation gave ten $1000 scholarships through a drawing to attendees.
1. Elijah Greenwood, Welding – Aztec High
School
2. Angie Medina-Olivas, Criminal Justice –
Aztec High School
3. Aliyah Moss, Computer Science – Aztec
High School
4. Rosalinda Vargas, Criminal Justice – Aztec
High School
5. Kathine Grady, Vet Tech – Aztec High School
6. Amaya Young, Criminal Justice – Farmington
High School
7. Xipas Root, Auto Body – Aztec High School
8. Tyrell Cohoe, Vet Tech – Aztec High School
9. Oliver Nichols, Barbering – HS Graduate
10. Bailey Rae Hare, Vet Tech – Aztec High School
