Kent Wright, director of transportation and energy training programs at Northeastern Junior College, was recently named to the Colorado Association for Career and Technical Education’s (CACTE) Hall of Fame. He was recognized during the CACTE Summer Conference held in Fort Collins on July 14th.
This award was set up in 1979 by the Colorado Vocational Association in an effort to recognize individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field as a teacher and or administrator, as well as persons who are not professional CTE educators, but have made outstanding contributions to career and technical education.
Wright’s involvement in career and technical education spans more than 25-years. He has been a strong advocate for CTE and is considered by his peers to be a team player whose knowledge of the automotive industry has served him well as a mentor and role model to both his students and other faculty. When being introduced at the awards banquet, he was described as a great listener who is willing to advise and counsel anyone who wants to advance their career. In the past, Wright has served as both a president and secretary for the trade and industry division of CACTE.
Wright started his career path in the automotive industry in Sterling as a student at Northeastern where he completed his associate’s degree in automotive technology in 1981. He returned several years later to teach automotive classes and has, over the years, touched thousands of students’ lives. He is currently the department chair for transportation and energy training programs at the college. The latter responsibility in his title just happened recently when NJC opened its new wind energy training program. Wright now supervises the automotive technology program, the automotive diesel master technician program, secondary auto mechanics and diesel mechanics in addition to wind energy technology.
A life-long learner himself, Wright is constantly attending training sessions offered by the automotive industry leaders in order to know how to teach others the latest on hybrid technology and other up-and-coming technologies that have huge impact on the functionality of today’s vehicles. He has spent recent months attending seminars and workshops to become well-versed in the wind technology area, too.
Wright completed his college education by receiving a bachelor’s of science degree from National American University. His name will be permanently listed on the CACTE Hall of Fame roster which includes an impressive line-up of educators from all across the state.
Student Email
