Posts by Bridgerland Technical College
Gabrielle Dye – Platinum Performer for Medical Assisting
Ellie Dye is the Platinum Performer for Medical Assisting. She is from Cache Valley and loves to ski and do puzzles in her free time.
Ellie chose Bridgerland Technical College because she was interested in the medical field in high school, so she took a few classes. Ellie fell in love with her instructors and the material being taught, so she decided to continue as an adult student. Her favorite part of the program was the people she met and the education she gained.
Ellie plans to continue working as a medical assistant now that she has graduated. She is also planning on going on a medical humanitarian trip this summer. Once she gets back, she will continue her education at the University of Utah as a pre-med student. She hopes to one day become an orthopedic or trauma surgeon.
Advice Ellie gave to future students was, “Don’t ever quit. Also, be excited for the success of others and find something you are passionate about.” Ellie wanted to thank her instructors for always believing in her and helping her get to where she is today.
Jesse Mindiola – Platinum Performer for Drafting
Jesse Mindiola was chosen as the Platinum Performer for the Drafting program. Jesse took advantage of the free tuition at BTECH by attending the program during high school.
Jesse’s favorite part about the program was learning new computer software like AutoCAD, Autodesk, Inventor, and Chief Architect. Outside of Drafting, Jesse likes to draw, write short stories, and do anything creative. Something else we were able to find out about Jesse is that he has ADHD. He told us, “During my journey, I have been fighting against ADHD and somehow I was still able to finish the program.”
Jesse’s dream job is to be a business owner and start a small business with the skills he has learned at BTECH. Now that he has graduated, Jesse plans to help his family with their business while he transfers his Drafting certificate to Utah State University to continue his education.
Cheyan Desmarais – Platinum Performer for Cosmetology/Barbering
Cheyan Desmarais was recently chosen as the Platinum Performer for Cosmetology/Barbering. Cheyan was able to start taking classes as a high school student where she completed a big portion of her certificate tuition-free! In fact, that was why she chose to attend BTECH in the first place! She told us, “I chose Bridgerland Technical College because I liked that I was able to get a head start. I think that saved me a lot of time and money.”
With so many great aspects about this program, we wanted to know what Cheyan enjoyed most. She said her favorite part was the people she was able to meet and form relationships with.
Cheyan had some great advice for prospective students. “The advice I have for future students is that you are going to have bad days . . . but just keep going! Keep going, it will get easier and you will get through it. It will be worth it.”
Now that Cheyan has graduated, she is working at a dread lock salon in Ogden and at a full-service salon in Perry, Utah. A goal that she has in life is to do what she enjoys, which is being a hair stylist. We wish Cheyan the best of luck in her future!
Jaxton Hobbs – Platinum Performer for Automotive Service
Jaxton Hobbs is the Platinum Performer for our Automotive Service program. He is from Logan, Utah, and loves doing anything outdoors. He originally chose to come to Bridgerland Technical College because his brother took a course here and he heard good things about the school. He told us, “My favorite thing about the program were the instructors; very nice, intelligent people, and fun to be around. I learned a lot from them.”
Jaxton is currently working at the Chevrolet dealership and hopes to move his way up as he gains more work experience. Once students gain enough experience in the industry, they have the opportunity to take the ASE or Automotive Service Excellence test to become certified. This will open a lot of doors for the students who choose to take the test and pass it. We encourage all of our students to work towards this goal so they can get the maximum benefit from their certificates. Jaxton is a great addition to the field and we wish him the best of luck with his goals!
Therapeutic Massage Visiting BTECH Campus – Open to the Public
Therapeutic Massage students have recently reached a point in their education where they can practice on live clients! They came to the Logan Campus – Main and offered free, 15-minute seated chair massages to employees. Students used their knowledge from the Therapeutic Massage program in educating clients on the various muscles that were addressed during their sessions as well as answering questions on relaxation techniques.
Other topics the Therapeutic Massage students have learned so far include:
Swedish massage
Swedish massage incorporating hot stones
Swedish massage with joint mobilization and stretching
Pregnancy massage
Reflexology
Thank you to Cheri, Andrea, Alex, Chayce, Juliet, and Mattie for providing BTECH some much-needed stress relief!
We have Therapeutic Massage appointments available at our Brigham City Branch Campus where the public can schedule to receive various types of massage. All appointments will be scheduled online. Click here to schedule your appointment with Therapeutic Massage.
Therapeutic Massage:
Phone: 435-237-0037
Hours: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Appointments: Various Wednesdays, Saturdays, days, and evenings
Practical Nursing is Ranked #2
NursingProcess.org recently ranked the Practical Nursing program at BTECH as number 2 out of 423 nursing programs in the Western United States! Schools were ranked based on NCLEX-PN pass rates, academic quality, the school’s reputation, and affordability. NursingProcess.org described the program as follows:
“The LPN curriculum of Bridgerland Technical College focuses on providing you with hands-on, competency-based training. Your education here will comprise of a perfect blend of classroom instruction, simulation activities in its high-tech laboratory, and clinical experiences at several local healthcare centers.”
Of this ranking, Yvonne Manning, the Department Head for Practical Nursing, stated, “We have a great Practical Nursing program because of the exceptional nursing faculty who are dedicated to ensuring students learn both the art and science of practical nursing. . . The program graduated its first cohort in 1997 and continues to have an excellent reputation in the community. I am very proud to be part of such an exceptional program.” We are proud of the success of the Practical Nursing program and look forward to many more years of training exceptional nurses.
Bridgerland Technical College Announces New Health Sciences Building
As it celebrates its 50th year, Bridgerland Technical College is excited to announce final approval by the Utah State Legislature to begin construction on its first purpose-built 75,000-ft2 Health Sciences building.
“We owe a great deal of gratitude to our local legislators both current and past who have made this request a reality, including Logan City who supported us with infrastructure improvements,” says K. Chad Campbell, President of Bridgerland Technical College. “We also appreciate Governor Cox’s support in recommending this building as his one and only building priority in the 2021 General Session.”
“Since 2010, program admissions have been limited due to a lack of physical space. We are ecstatic this building will expand enrollment opportunities for students,” stated Executive Vice President Wendy Carter. “Our students are able to graduate virtually debt free in less than 12 months and ultimately will have a direct and immediate impact on Utah’s essential healthcare workforce.”
Technical education utilizes a hands-on, competency-based model where students prepare until they confidently demonstrate content mastery. This educational model has historically provided a near 100 percent pass rate on professional licensing exams.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has made the importance of health care workers in our community paramount,” says Lisa Moon, Associate VP for Health Sciences and Public Services. “This new Bridgerland Technical College Health Sciences Building is essential for the College to successfully train the healthcare workforce needed both now and in the future.”
Matt King – Platinum Performer for Building Technology
Matt King is from Millville, Utah, and was chosen as the Platinum Performer for our Building Technology program.
A few fun facts about Matt are that his favorite food is fettuccine alfredo and he is a big-time fisherman, hunter, and outdoorsman. Something unique about him that people might not know is that he breeds dogs.
Matt chose to attend Bridgerland Technical College because it was a local option that would allow him to learn a trade. Matt’s dream job is to own his own business building custom homes.
His favorite part about his time in the program was the relationships he made. He told us, “My favorite thing about the program was definitely the relationships I’ve built with the other students and the instructors. It was awesome to build a house from start to finish and the friendships that I’ve gained from Bridgerland Technical College are going to be friends that I’m going to have for a long time.”
Some advice he wanted to leave with future students was, “Listen to your instructors, they are there to help you. It may seem tough sometimes but they are preparing you for the real world. Richie does a great job.”
Now that Matt has graduated Building Technology, he is studying to take his general contractor’s exam so he can become a general contractor and start his own company. We are so happy to see Matt making his dreams come true and we are wishing him the best as he moves forward!
Program Remodel for Machining Technology
BTECH’s Machining Technology program recently received two grants through the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Gene Haas Foundation! The NSF grant allowed the program to purchase two, 5-axis machines and a 5-axis coordinate measuring machine. The Gene Haas grant funded an upgrade to the machine shop. With this money they were able to repaint the shop, put in a new floor, remodel the classroom, install new lights, upgrade the heating and air conditioning vents, purchase new computers, and more!
Of course, big projects like these are never without setbacks. There were some issues with the new floor being too slippery that needed to be addressed. Wes Chambers, the department head, stated, “While we are still not one hundred percent pieced together, we can function. Our primary focus now is to make sure that we are taking care of students’ needs so they can continue to progress.”
This update has created a lot of excitement from students, staff, and industry members who can’t wait to see the growth this brings to our program and the community!
Braden Hulce – Platinum Performer for Automotive Service
Congratulations to Braden Hulce on being the Platinum Performer for Automotive Service!
Braden has always been curious. From the time he was little, Braden would tear things apart and reassemble them so he could learn how they function. Braden’s curiosity shaped his dream of being a master technician and owning a shop one day.
Automotive Service instructors praised Braden for always being willing to assist other students, promptly turning assignments in, and consistently having great attendance.
We have no doubt that Braden is going to make a wonderful addition to his chosen career field, and we look forward to seeing where he goes in the future!