More than 40 Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) students earned two-year associate degrees or one-year certificate degrees this month, including 11 students who are the first to graduate from MAMC’s newest career skills program – SMART (Systems Maintenance, Automation & Robotics Technology).
That’s nearly four dozen machinists, welders and industrial maintenance technicians to fill manufacturing jobs across West Virginia.
Many of the graduates already have secured jobs or internships at companies including Alcon, Constellium, Gestamp, Industrial Bolting Technologies, Liberty Engineering, McCorkle Machine and Engineering, Niterra North America, Nucor Steel West Virginia, Phillips Machine Services, Riggs Machine and Fabricating, Special Metals, Superior Marine, Toyota West Virginia and Wooten Machine Co., among others.
“We’re proud that 95 percent of our students either land jobs before they graduate or get offers when they complete their studies,” said MAMC Director Derek Scarbro. “As our recent workforce survey confirmed, there’s a huge demand for skilled manufacturing workers in West Virginia, individuals like the students we honor today.”
The newest graduates were recognized during a celebratory luncheon May 5 at MAMC Huntington sponsored by Niterra North America.
Earning their associate of applied science degrees in SMART are Jordan Chapman of Huntington; Wesley Grimes of Point Pleasant; Tanner Holton of Milton; Ethan Jordan, Cameron McCarthy and Cole Miller, all of Point Pleasant; Chandler Rife of Gallipolis Ferry; Caleb Roberts of Chesapeake, Ohio; Jessica Setliff of Hurricane; Brady Shepherd of Culloden; and Ryan Shepherd of Huntington. Garrett Lester of St. Albans earned a one-year certificate degree.
MAMC and Mountwest Community and Technical College created the SMART Program in 2024 with input from more than two dozen industry partners who need highly skilled industrial maintenance technicians. SMART classes are offered in Huntington and Point Pleasant.
Earning associate of applied science degrees in Machinist Technology/CNC or Machine Tool Technology/CNC are Jacob Dingess of Wayne; Weston Dunlap of Sod; Connor Marshall of Lavalette; Gwynna Midkiff of Amma; Tamara Shinn of Charleston; Kurt Stottlemyer of South Charleston; and Ryder Riggs of Ashland, Ky. Earning associated of applied science one-year certificates in machining are Zachary Bailes of Point Pleasant; Savannah Black of Charleston; Braxton Blain of Point Pleasant; Allen Delaney of Huntington; Cole Edwards of Apple Grove; Aeden Griffith of Huntington; Bobby Lucas of West Hamlin; Justin Mullins of Lyburn; Ellen Myne of St. Albans; Joseph Tyree of Crab Orchard; and Bryce Snyder of Cole Grove, Ohio.
MAMC offers the Machinist Technology/CNC Program in Huntington in partnership with Mountwest and launched the Machine Tool Technology/CNC Program in South Charleston in partnership with BridgeValley Community and Technical College in 2024 to meet growing demand for skilled machinists.
Earning associate of applied science degrees in Welding Technology are Nolan Gardner of St. Albans; Jay Love of Huntington; and Gregory Meadows of Kenova. Earning associated of applied science one-year certificates in welding are Kai Cook and Matthew Ferguson, both of Huntington; Alyx Gilliam of Branchland; Avery Jackson of Huntington; Peyton Marcum of Fort Gay; Halicia Melbar and Kalycia Myers, both of Huntington; Tanner Shadd and Carter Smith, both of Wayne; and Austin Wilson of Huntington.
The Welding Technology Program is a partnership between MAMC and Mountwest with classes in Huntington.
MAMC is enrolling now for fall term for all career skills programs. Learn more at www.mfg.marshall.edu/careers.
May 5, 2026
