Author: AMelody Jacobi

Drake State’s Barbering and Salon & Spa Management programs were recently featured by Tennessee Valley Living for helping local families prepare for the new school year while giving students valuable hands-on experience in their chosen careers.

On August 27, 2026, students, faculty, and staff gathered in the lab in the Leidos Building to watch Mr. Goodloe’s Mechatronics students present their capstone projects, the culmination of everything they’ve learned throughout the program, applied to hands-on builds of their own design.

Drake State’s Mechatronics program prepares students for careers in industrial maintenance and advanced manufacturing, covering everything from industrial wiring and automation systems to robotics, giving students a workforce ready skill set.

The capstone presentation gives students the chance to bring that training together in creative, independent projects, and this year’s lineup featured an eclectic assortment. Students presented a working traffic light system paired with model cars, a marble racing Rube Goldberg device, an omnidirectional claw, and a fully functional pinball machine, each project reflecting the technical depth and hands on ingenuity the Mechatronics program is built around.

Adding an extra layer of real-world relevance to the event, this year’s capstone presentations were attended by industry partners who served as judges, evaluating the students’ projects and offering feedback. The presence of these industry professionals gave students a valuable opportunity to interface directly with people working in their intended field, presenting their work, fielding questions, and hearing firsthand what stood out about their approach. For many students, it was a chance to make connections and get a preview of the kind of technical conversations they’ll be having throughout their careers.

Congratulations to all of this year’s presenters on a job well done, and best of luck as you take these skills into the workforce.

On August 3, 2026, Drake State hosted its annual Back to School Bash, offering free hair care services to the community as students gear up for the new school year. The event has become a beloved late-summer tradition, drawing families ready to send their kids back to class looking and feeling their best.

Attendees had their pick of styles and services, including standard haircuts, braids, two-strand twists, and silk presses. While waiting for their transformations, guests could also treat themselves to express facials and manicures, courtesy of Drake State’s Salon Management-Cosmetology students and instructors.

Dr. Bertha Robinson, a Salon Management-Cosmetology Instructor at Drake State, helped lead the effort.

“We’re here for the Back to School Hair Care event,” Robinson said. “We have an operation doing haircuts, box braids, two strand twists, silk presses, and mini express facials and manicures. Also, this event is to help families cut the cost for back to school, and just generally give back to the community.”

Students from Drake State’s Barbering program were on hand as well, getting hands-on experience while serving the community. Paul Reichelderfer, a Barbering student, said the event reflects exactly why he got into the trade.

“I chose to be a barber because I’d like to be a small business owner one day, and I always thought that this would be a fun craft to get into,” Reichelderfer said. “I love the atmosphere that you typically find at a great barbershop, and I hope to replicate that and give back to the community.”

Once their new looks were complete, attendees left with Drake State goodie bags stocked with school supplies for the year ahead. Outside, the smell of hamburgers and hot dogs from the grill added to the festive, community-cookout atmosphere.

Giving back to the community is at the heart of what Drake State does, and the college is grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s Back to School Bash a success. See you next year!

Earlier this year, Drake State launched its first athletics initiative: the Drake State Esports team. We recently paid the team a visit to see how the program is coming along and what members have been up to since opening last month.

The team is led by Coach Demeiko Merriweather, who had this to say about the program:

“The first thing to know about Esports is that it’s more than just playing video games. It is a community built on teamwork, communication, strategy, leadership, and healthy competition. Just like traditional athletics, esports give students opportunities to develop valuable skills, build lasting friendships, and represent their school with pride.

At Drake State, we’re excited to build an esports program that welcomes everyone. Whether you’re a competitive player, someone who enjoys gaming casually, or simply looking for a place to connect with others through shared interests, we want to create a community where students can grow, belong, and succeed both in and out of the game.”
— Demeiko Merriweather, Esports Coach

The club is held in Drake State’s state-of-the-art game room, which is outfitted with a plethora of PlayStation consoles and gaming PCs for members to use. Games in rotation include fighting games like Street Fighter 6, hero shooters like Marvel Rivals, and classic first-person shooters like Call of Duty, giving members plenty of variety no matter what their preferred genre. The space is designed not just for competitive practice, but as a casual hangout spot where students can drop in, meet new people, and unwind between classes.

The club currently consists of around a dozen members but is growing quickly and is actively recruiting more players to continue building the team. Coach Merriweather and the club’s early members hope that as word spreads across campus, more students, whether seasoned competitors or first-time gamers, will stop by to see what the program has to offer.

“I think the best thing about the Drake Esports program is how open it is to everybody,” said Jackson Krebs, a freshman Nursing major. “There’s a game for everybody. There’s a person for everybody in there to connect with, and that’s probably my favorite thing about it.”

With a welcoming community, top-notch equipment, and a coach dedicated to helping students grow both as players and as people, Drake State’s Esports program is off to a strong start. As the club continues to recruit new members and build its competitive presence, it is shaping up to be one of the campus’s most exciting new additions. It is proof that Drake State is leveling up in more ways than one.

Last Thursday, July 30th, graduates of the LPN Launch Program gathered for one of healthcare education’s most cherished traditions: the Pinning Ceremony. Held at the Cochran Campus, the collaborative facility born out of Drake State’s partnership with Huntsville Hospital, the event brought together students, faculty, and hospital leadership to honor this important milestone.

The ceremony opened with remarks from Drake State President Dr. Patricia Sims and Huntsville Hospital Executive Vice President Tracy Doughty, both reflecting on the strength of the partnership that made the LPN Launch Program possible and the impact these new nurses are poised to have in the community.

The program then turned to long-time faculty member Dr. Mattie Davis, who announced her retirement after many years of dedicated service to the Health Sciences department. In honor of her contributions, she was presented with a token of appreciation from her colleagues. Dr. Davis’s guidance has shaped countless nursing students throughout her career, and she will be deeply missed.

Three graduates: Amanda Sampson, Tameka Similiton, and Tandra Blackmon, then took the floor to share reflections on their journey through the LPN Launch Program, offering a glimpse into the challenges and growth that defined their path to this moment.

Before the pinning could begin, the program paused for its most anticipated recognition: the Nightingale Award, presented for exemplary skill and leadership throughout the program.

Then came the moment the graduates had worked toward, each student was presented with a white coat and nursing pin, symbols of the long nights, hard work, and personal sacrifice that carried them to this point. More than a celebration, the Pinning Ceremony was a moment of reflection, marking the graduates’ transition from students to healthcare professionals ready to serve.

We are excited to share a special achievement by one of our faculty members. Machine Tool Technology Instructor Calvin Rousseau has been named the first NASA HUNCH Instructor of the Year during a surprise ceremony in the college’s Machine Lab.

The surprise event brought together the NASA HUNCH team, who traveled from Texas, along with Drake State President Dr. Patricia Sims and Dean of Instruction Dr. Carolyn Henderson, along with Department Chair, Kory Rafferty and members of the NASA HUNCH team from Texas and here in Huntsville. What started as a normal day turned into a memorable celebration as Rousseau’s contributions to technical education and student success where recognized in the Machine Tool Technology Lab in the Leidos Advanced Training Center on the Drake State campus.

To make the event even more special, the NASA HUNCH team gave Rousseau a piece of a locker that will soon go to the International Space Station (ISS). Rousseau signed the artifact before it begins its journey, creating a lasting link between his work, his students, and NASA’s mission.

The ceremony’s highlight was when George Kessler, Program Director of NASA HUNCH, announced Rousseau as the organization’s first Instructor of the Year.

“We came not only to visit you today, we came to recognize Calvin for his dedication to educating students in this field and to his contributions to the HUNCH program and HUNCH students,” said Kessler.

“He is our Teacher of the Year, and this is the first one. We have been around a long time, but this is the first time we have awarded this award because we felt it was important to recognize his commitment and dedication to this work he does. We appreciate Drake State and we want to recognize how Drake State has supported our program and how Calvin has supported the HUNCH program. This is phenomenal. This is all about the students, but we have to recognize the efforts.” Kessler continued.

Drake State President Dr. Patricia Sims said this honor shows Rousseau’s dedication to students and supports the college’s mission to prepare a skilled workforce.

“At Drake State, we are committed to providing students with transformative educational experiences that prepare them for meaningful careers and lifelong success. Calvin Rousseau exemplifies that mission every day through his dedication to student learning, workforce development, and excellence in technical education. Being named the first-ever

NASA HUNCH Instructor of the Year is an extraordinary honor that reflects not only his impact on students, but also the strength of the partnership between Drake State and NASA HUNCH. We are incredibly proud of Calvin and grateful for the difference he makes in the lives of our students.”

This recognition shows Rousseau’s strong commitment to helping students get ready for careers in advanced manufacturing and precision machining. His leadership and focus on hands-on learning have helped students build important technical skills through NASA HUNCH projects.

For Rousseau, this award stands for the achievements of the students he teaches and mentors every day.

“I am truly honored and humbled to receive the first-ever NASA HUNCH Instructor of the Year Award. This recognition means a great deal to me because it represents the hard work, talent, and dedication of our students. Watching them develop skills, gain confidence, and contribute to projects connected to NASA is one of the most rewarding parts of my career. I am grateful to NASA HUNCH, Drake State, and my colleagues for their support, and I look forward to continuing to create opportunities that help our students succeed.” –  Rousseau

As the first NASA HUNCH Instructor of the Year, Rousseau joins a group of educators whose influence goes beyond the classroom. His dedication to student success and technical education inspires others and shows Drake State’s commitment to changing lives through education.

This honor also highlights the strong partnership between Drake State and NASA HUNCH. Their collaboration gives students chances to work on real projects, connect with industry professionals, and build the skills needed for today’s advanced manufacturing jobs.

Drake State congratulates Calvin Rousseau on this well-deserved achievement and thanks him for his ongoing service to students, the college, and the NASA HUNCH program. His dedication to shaping the next generation of skilled professionals and innovators, both on Earth and in space is remarkable.

Congratulations to Calvin Rousseau, the first NASA HUNCH Instructor of the Year!

Drake State recently gathered in the Leidos Complex to celebrate a milestone year for its SkillsUSA program, honoring the students and instructors whose hard work led to the college’s most successful SkillsUSA showing to date.

This year, Drake State students earned three national Gold Medals and one national Silver Medal, competing against peers from across the country in some of the most demanding technical and career disciplines SkillsUSA has to offer. The achievement marks a new institutional record for Drake State, surpassing any previous year’s results and cementing the college’s growing reputation as a leader in career and technical education.

The celebration recognized not only the students who competed, but also the instructors whose mentorship made their success possible. Faculty members worked closely with students throughout the year, providing the guidance, training, and encouragement needed to prepare them for competition at the national level. Their leadership played a central role in the record-breaking results, and the event gave the college an opportunity to formally thank them for their commitment.

The Leidos Complex was filled with awards, music, great food, and plenty of Blue Eagle pride as students, faculty, staff, and supporters came together to mark the occasion. It was a fitting tribute to a year defined by determination and excellence, and a reminder of what students can accomplish when talent meets strong mentorship.

SkillsUSA competitions challenge students to demonstrate technical skills, professionalism, and problem-solving ability in fields ranging from skilled trades to health sciences to information technology. Success at the national level requires months of preparation, and this year’s results reflect the strength of Drake State’s programs and the dedication of everyone involved.

Drake State’s leadership pointed to the celebration as a highlight of the year, one that underscores the college’s mission of preparing students to excel in their fields and enter the workforce ready to succeed. The record-setting performance is expected to build momentum heading into next year’s competitions, as students and instructors alike look to build on this year’s success.

Congratulations to all the students and instructors who contributed to this achievement. Their hard work continues to elevate Drake State’s reputation and inspire the next generation of skilled professionals in Huntsville and beyond.

Drake State’s first FAME cohort recently delivered their third Manufacturing Core Exercise (MCE) presentations, this time focused on Lean Manufacturing. The students showcased how they identified challenges, reduced waste, and improved processes both within their workplaces and in the classroom.

Each student presented two projects: one based on real work at their sponsoring companies, and one developed in the classroom. Together, the presentations demonstrated not only the students’ technical knowledge of lean manufacturing principles, but also their ability to apply those principles in real-world settings.

Industry partners from Mazda Toyota Manufacturing and Bruderer joined the event to support the students, ask questions, and see firsthand the impact the students are making at their respective companies.

Daniel Smith, Central Maintenance Manager at Mazda-Toyota, had this to say:

“The presentations today went really well. They took to heart the meaning of lean manufacturing and how to look for muda (無駄) or waste and how to improve that in their own companies, and here at school. So, I think they really got the idea and went over and above on it.”

Dr. Myron Parks, FAME Program Manager, added:

“Today’s Manufacturing Core Exercise (MCE) presentations were a success from the perspective of student growth and progression within the FAME program, while also allowing us to host potential industry partners for them to consider joining the Huntsville Tech FAME Chapter at Drake State.”

The event also served a dual purpose beyond showcasing student progress. By inviting potential industry partners to attend, Drake State is building relationships that could grow the Huntsville Tech FAME Chapter and open the door to future sponsorship and mentorship opportunities for students in the program.

This marks the third MCE presentation for the cohort, and the growth has been evident with each round. Students have steadily built on their understanding of manufacturing principles, sharpened their presentation skills, and gained confidence in applying classroom learning to real workplace challenges. What began as an introduction to core manufacturing concepts has evolved into students independently identifying inefficiencies, proposing solutions, and communicating their findings to industry professionals.

The FAME program, which pairs classroom instruction with hands-on work experience at partner companies, is designed to prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing while giving employers a direct hand in shaping the next generation of skilled talent. Milestones like this one highlight how that partnership between education and industry is paying off for students and companies alike.

It has been amazing to watch the cohort’s growth since last year, and Drake State is excited to see how these students continue to innovate as they move forward in the program and into their careers.