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Arapahoe Community College (����ý) students Braydon Adams and Brayden Windle will be graduating in May 2024 with their Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees in Automotive Service Technology. While both began their educational journeys at opposite ends of the state, the culmination of their hard work has 2 rewarding commonalities - expedient entry into in-demand careers, and a great return on their investment in post-secondary education.

Adams and Windle both enrolled in the ����ý Auto Tech program in the spring of 2022. They initially attended 4-year universities following high school; Windle (2020 graduate of Mountain Vista High School) journeyed north to Colorado State University (CSU), while Adams (2020 graduate of ThunderRidge High School) ventured south to the San Luis Valley to attend Adams State University (ASU). Windle stayed in Fort Collins for a semester, and Adams was only at ASU for 1 year. The loss of in-person instruction during the pandemic was impactful for both Adams and Windle.

“Online learning just didn’t work for me,” Windle exclaimed. “I had a basic knowledge of cars to begin with, and I knew I wanted to explore career training that would be hands-on. That’s when I found my way to ����ý Auto Tech.”

Just months after their arrival at ����ý, Windle and Adams began U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeships in August 2022 at .

"I came to the realization that my degree program wasn’t a good fit at the 4-year university,” said Adams, 21, who lives in Henderson. “I’ve been around cars my entire life, and when I toured the Auto Tech facility with Mr. (Doc) Viola a few years ago, I knew being a technician was for me. The relationships I've developed with my professors and everything I’ve learned and experienced in the Auto Tech program has been so rewarding.”

Neither Windle nor Adams are on scholarship. They are paying for their education on their own, but both will graduate with full-time technician jobs awaiting them at Schomp Honda.

“I love the bond with my classmates and instructors,” stated Windle. “I’ve been able to learn from some very knowledgeable technicians along the way who’ve helped me take my basic knowledge of cars to the next level.”

Windle, 21, was born and raised in Highlands Ranch. He now lives in Fairmount (northeast of Golden) and qualified for the President’s List (4.0 term GPA) this past fall. He has earned recognition on the Dean’s List (3.50-3.74 term GPA) on multiple occasions, too. Windle enjoys baseball, anything outdoors, and traveling.

Adams has qualified for the Dean’s List, the Vice President’s List (3.75-3.99 term GPA) and the President’s List during his time at ����ý. He is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) and serves as the Vice President of the Arapahoe Motorsports Club. Adams enjoys basketball and being outdoors in the warm summer months.

Begin your journey towards a rewarding, in-demand career as a skilled automotive service technician today with the 2-year AAS degree in Automotive Service Technology at ����ý.