Michigan Career and Technical Institute graduated nearly 150 students this winter

RELEASE DATE: 
Friday, Feb. 7, 2020

CONTACT: Mike Murray, 517-335-2020

LANSING, Mich.—The Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MCTI) hosted a graduation ceremony for 147 students from across the state today. MCTI is operated by Michigan Rehabilitation Services, which is part of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

The event was held at the MCTI campus, located in Plainwell. This year’s ceremony featured Von Washington, Jr. as the commencement speaker. Washington is the executive director of community relations for The Kalamazoo Promise.

The winter graduation aligned with Career and Technical Education Month in Michigan. Career and technical education provides students with an opportunity to learn the skills needed for in-demand careers in a variety of fields and prepares students to become lifelong learners.

“MCTI’s vision is to increase access to success in achieving a postsecondary credential and overcoming barriers to employment, and that aligns perfectly with the governor’s goals," MCTI Director Paul Mulka said. "It’s also fitting that this class is graduating during Career and Technical Education Month. We’re so proud of our graduates and their success.”

MCTI strives to promote the integration of Michiganders with disabilities into both the competitive workplace and society. Students can enroll in technical training programs in automotive technology, cabinet making/millwork, certified nurse assistant, commercial printing, construction, culinary arts, custodial, grounds maintenance/landscaping, industrial electronics, information technology, machine technology, pharmacy technician and retail marketing.

MCTI offers health, psychological and social work services, sports and activities, housing, student government and much more.

Learn more about MCTI by visiting Michigan.gov/MCTI.

The graduates listed by county were:

Allegan: Andrew Boylan, Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping; Derek Navarro, Construction; Jared Russell, Culinary Arts; Raven Tyrrell, Cabinetmaking/Millwork

Antrim: Samantha Trout, Cabinetmaking/Millwork

Barry: Dylan Bates, Machine Technology; Kenneth Delmont, Automotive Technology; Jacob Tagg, Culinary Arts

Branch: Lita Teeples, Culinary Arts

Cheboygan: Garrett Bober, Culinary Arts

Eaton: Steven Bryant, Culinary Arts; Willie Perry, Office Automation; Daniel Slomski, Machine Technology; Dylan Smith, Custodial

Genesee: Gabriel Amaya, Electronics; Jaymanar Burge, Machine Technology; Jordan Little, Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping; Patrick Palmeri, Automotive Technology

Gladwin: Akron Plowman, Construction

Grand Traverse: Hunter Bancroft, Cabinetmaking/Millwork; Jacob Belcher, Automotive Technology

Gratiot: Zachary Menerey, Retail Marketing; Olivia Snyder, Culinary Arts

Ingham: Jarett Caudill, Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping; Anna Wing, Culinary Arts; Caleb Wise, Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping

Ionia: Eva Manhart, Pharmacy Services; Mason Whitney, Machine Technology

Jackson: Casey Curtis, Retail Marketing; Caleb Smith, Office Automation

Kalamazoo: Jordan Connor, Custodial; David Markin, Machine Technology; Elijah Moyer, Custodial; Kevin Parker, Retail Marketing

Kent: Carson Kerner, Cabinetmaking/Millwork; Jacob Mabry, Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping; Macy Short, Retail Marketing; Matthew Simonis, Construction

Livingston: Brenden Sultana, Office Automation

Macomb: Zachary Baldwin, Certified Nursing Assistant; Jonathon Esshaki, Retail Marketing; Dustin Grabow, Machine Technology; Aaron Hammond, Machine Technology; Marcus Jones, Retail Marketing; Aaron Kuc, Construction; Christopher Napper, Automotive Technology; Terris Woodard, Machine Technology; Jayonna Woods, Retail Marketing; Chelsea Zube, Certified Nursing Assistant

Monroe: Heather Sherry, Retail Marketing; Monroe Caleb Tworek, Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping

Muskegon: Irida Gallivan, Certified Nursing Assistant

Oakland: Marcus Anthony, Electronics; Zachary Bittick, Retail Marketing; Noah Edmonds, Custodial; Dylan Kalchert, Certified Nursing Assistant; Michael Klein, Commercial Printing; Joshua Maldonado, Culinary Arts; Alexandra Repinski, Retail Marketing; Garrett Rutherford, Electronics; Dahvyd Smiles-Collins, Machine Technology; Jakaria Smith, Culinary Arts; Brandon Sutter, Retail Marketing; Dawson Terwillegar, Construction; Brayden Thomas, Cabinetmaking/Millwork; Malcolm Wang, Retail Marketing; Alexander Wendt, Electronics

Oceana: Ashley Walton, Certified Nursing Assistant

Ottawa: Gregory Wise, Retail Marketing

Roscommon: Michelina Gerard, Culinary Arts

Saginaw: Maxim Nartker, Retail Marketing; Cynthia Pudrith, Culinary Arts

Saint Clair: Austin Louks, Construction; Victoria Richards, Commercial Printing

Shiawassee: Cody Cox, Cabinetmaking/Millwork; Carman Winebarger, Culinary Arts

Washtenaw: Anas Abdeljalil, Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping; Anthony Hoeft, Retail Marketing; Nicholas Sigler, Electronics; Zachary Smith, Electronics; Haile Steinaway, Cabinetmaking/Millwork

Wayne: Kyre Bellamy, Automotive Technology; Jeremy Dicus, Retail Marketing; Enrique Galvan, Electronics; Carl Henrichs, III, Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping; Matthew Johnston, Machine Technology; Cody Lamontagne, Certified Nursing Assistant; Alec Lipa, Cabinetmaking/Millwork; William Listopad, Retail Marketing; Demetrius Little, Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping; Lorenzo Newton, Culinary Arts; Johnathan Perchikoff, Culinary Arts; Rayanna Robinson, Certified Nursing Assistant

Wexford: Joanna Yack, Retail Marketing

*List of graduates includes only those who have provided signed permission to have name listed above.