The New Castle Career Center recently held a Signing Day event to recognize outstanding students from multiple programs. Signing Day is dedicated to acknowledging students who have secured full-time employment with their internship employers. The event also honors students furthering their education through the Indiana Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (INFAME) at Vincennes University, while simultaneously working with their employers to complete their degrees. This year marked a special occasion as the Signing Day ceremony included Dental and Interdisciplinary Cooperative Education programs.

Mackenzie Jackson, the Director of the New Castle Career Center, expressed her satisfaction, stating, “It is truly gratifying to witness more students gain full-time employment through the Career Center’s work-based learning experiences.”

Under the leadership of Greg Dickerson, the Precision Machining program achieved yet another successful year in placing graduates in full-time employment. Prominent companies such as Crown Equipment, Magna Machine, and Spiceland Wood Products have actively participated in hiring these talented students. Bryan Logan, Destiny Jolley, John Craft, Ethan Hinton, and Trey Akers, all graduates of NCHS and holders of Ivy Tech Machine Tool Certificates, have joined these organizations.

Similarly, Ronnie Perrin’s Welding Technology program has played a crucial role in preparing students for promising careers. Successful placements include Reese Bates at Koorsen Fire & Security and Nolan Peacock at Major Tool. Reese and Nolan completed the Ivy Tech Structural Welding Certificate program, equipping them with the necessary skills to excel in their respective roles.

Jada Briar, a student in the Dental Program from HHS, and Eric Coomer, an Interdisciplinary Cooperative Education student from NCHS, also secured full-time employment. Jada will be joining Golliher Family Dentistry, while Eric has committed to Henry County REMC.

In addition to providing advanced career placement opportunities, the New Castle Career Center takes immense pride in facilitating higher education prospects for its students. Several individuals have gained acceptance into esteemed institutions such as Ivy Tech, Hobart, and the University of Northern Ohio. Students including Daniel Sparks, Josh Abbott, Clayton Lovett, Alexander Frost, Isaac Goble, and Cole Klingle have been admitted into various programs.

Pia Mahaffey, a BRV graduate, and holder of an Ivy Tech Machine Tool Certificate, has made the admirable decision to enlist in the Marines.

“We are grateful to the dedicated employers who collaborate with the students to develop their skills,” shared Jackson.

This year the ceremony included two generous donations from REMC and Haas. The funds will go to purchase supplies and equipment for students at the Career Center. “We are grateful for community partners willing to support students in multiple facets,” explained Greg Dickerson, Machine Trades instructor. For more information about the New Castle Career Center, follow them on Facebook, visit their website at nccareercenter.org, or contact them at (765) 593-6680.

The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis recently announced the re-endorsement of the Early College (EC) program at New Castle Career Center (NCCC) in Henry County for the second time. The Early College at the New Castle Career Center is designated as highly effective in implementing with fidelity the Eight Core Principles of Early College. The NCCC Early College began in 2016 when the school started strengthening its slate of dual credit offerings leading to a higher education credential. The program was endorsed by CELL in 2019, and in 2022 graduated 100 students with a college certificate in one of the following programs: precision machining, welding, health careers, and culinary arts from Ivy Tech Community College in Muncie. Another six students earned a Technical Certificate from Ivy Tech, a stackable credential that can lead to an associate degree in their chosen field.

Mackenzie Jackson, the Director, stated “The New Castle Career Center is proud and excited about the CELL Re-Endorsement. The staff has worked incredibly hard to add college credits and Ivy Tech diplomas. We are extremely thankful for the partnership with CELL and hard-working staff members.”

The Early College high school model creates small schools that are designed to give students jumpstarts for the rest of their lives. Students can earn both high school diplomas and up to two years of credit toward bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, or certificates. While open to all students, Early College programs specifically serve low-income young people, first-generation college students, English language learners, and students of color – all statistically underrepresented in higher education. Early Colleges “blur the lines” between high school and postsecondary programs.

To be considered for endorsement, the school prepared a portfolio that addressed the eight required principles established by CELL including providing a rigorous curriculum, robust student supports, and completion data. In addition, a CELL team visited the school to interview the administration, teachers, and students about the EC and its benefits and challenges before designating the program as endorsed.

“These technically-endorsed Early College High Schools have documented evidence of quality programs that help high school students graduate and accelerate into post-secondary education, whether at a four-year institution, a two-year institution or a career/technical program. These students’ accomplishments are true game-changers for them and their families,” said Sandy Hillman, CELL Director of Early College. “The strong leadership of Director Mackenzie Jackson and April Williams, Career Counselor, has created and implemented an Early College program that continues to grow and flourish in helping students experience a headstart in their post-secondary education and preparedness for a productive career pathway.”

CELL, at the University of Indianapolis, is a leading convener, catalyst, and collaborator for dynamic, innovative education change in Indiana. It has trained over 160 high schools across the state in the fundamentals of Early College and endorsed 54 Early Colleges as of May 2023. Six of these 54 schools are technical schools, and NCC is one of the six statewide. Once a school receives endorsement, it is expected to develop its opportunities further and will be reviewed for re-endorsement every four years.

The New Castle Career Center had the privilege of attending the annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) Awards for Excellence recognition program on Wednesday, May 3, at the Indianapolis Marriott East. The Indiana Office of Career and Technical Education hosted the awards ceremony in collaboration with the Indiana Association for Career and Technical Education (IACTE).

The primary goal of this ceremony was to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding achievements of secondary and postsecondary students, area programs, employer partnerships, and guidance counselors in Career Technical Education across the state. Throughout the program, the IACTE presented a total of 32 awards to students, individuals, and organizations who were nominated by their peers.

The IACTE selected the New Castle Career Center’s Health Science program as one of the award recipients. To be considered for the award, each nominee had to meet specific criteria. For the secondary program of study/pathway category where the Health Science program received recognition, the criteria included program design, resource utilization, and program outcomes.

“We are thrilled with this recognition,” noted Mackenzie Jackson, Director of the New Castle Career Center. “This award represents years of dedication by our staff, students, and community partners. It demonstrates the value we place in all of our programs as we encourage students to maximize opportunities through experiential learning.” The Indiana Association for Career and Technical Education is an organization devoted to advocating for career and technical education in Indiana, ensuring students receive quality opportunities.