This marks the first time the Southridge Center has Applied for the ASE Education Foundation Accreditation
There’s an average of 35 Career Advantage students taking automotive classes at the Southridge Center
This is a two-and-a-half year accreditation with the Center up for re-accreditation every five years from now on
“This will give students a chance to earn more money directly out of high school,” said Southridge Automotive Instructor Doug Kennedy
The DMACC Southridge Center Automotive program has received certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Since 1972, ASE has worked to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying automotive professionals.
“We have worked hard to develop and expand relationships with local automotive businesses while presenting students with a rich and relevant experience,” said DMACC Southridge Center Coordinator Melinda Williams. “This accreditation increases that experience in that our students will earn a certificate in Maintenance and Light Repair from ASE. This also gives students a great foundation as they transition to the two-year program. Ultimately, this creates an opportunity for DMACC students to be more marketable within the automotive industry.”
DMACC Southridge Center Automotive Instructor Doug Kennedy said he has three classes every day, all with Career Advantage students. (DMACC’s Career Advantage is where high school students earn free college credit.). He said there are two sections of first-year students and one section of a second-year class.
“There’s an average of 35 Career Advantage students taking automotive classes at the Southridge Center,” said Kennedy.
He noted that the Career Advantage students are from high schools in Indianola, Carlisle, Norwalk, Melcher-Dallas, Pleasantville, Knoxville among others.
Kennedy said this is a two-and-a-half-year evaluation with the Center up for re-accreditation every five years from this initial accreditation.
“This accreditation is an overall accreditation of our program,” said Kennedy. “It specifically covers eight main areas; Engine Mechanical, Automatic Transmissions, Manual Transmissions and Axles, Suspension, Brakes, Electrical, Engine Performance, and Heating and A/C.”
Kennedy said this accreditation means the Southridge Center will be able to directly offer the students a Certificate in Maintenance and Light Repair from ASE.
“This will give students a chance to earn more money directly out of high school,” Kennedy said.” Also, the five classes the students take here will directly transfer into the college program and they won't have to take a total of three classes in the two-year program.”
Kennedy said as an accredited site, the Center now has an Advisory Committee in place that will help ensure that the program stays up-to-date and that the students leave with current and relevant knowledge of automobiles.
“I would like to extend a special thanks to the Advisory Committee and the On-Site Volunteers who work effortlessly in supporting the Automotive Technology program,” said Williams.
For more information on the DMACC Southridge auto program, contact Instructor Doug Kennedy at drkennedy@dmacc.edu.
For more information, contact: Doug Kennedy, (515) 287-8726 or Melinda Williams, (515) 287-8701
