YTA Student Returns to Tri-C and Earns an Associate Degree

Antonio Bohanon’s interest in technology leads him to a career in industrial machining

Antonio Bohanon never imagined himself designing wings for aircraft, but that’s what he does as a CNC programmer at NobleTek in Wooster.

Nine years ago, Bohanon was a participant in Cuyahoga Community College’s Youth Technology Academy (YTA), a one‐of‐a‐kind, STEM‐focused high school program that trains students for the technical workforce. There, he saw his passion for engineering and technology flourish.

“It really set me up for where I’m at now,” he said.

After graduating from Collinwood High School in 2009, Bohanon decided to pursue an electrical

engineering degree at the University of Toledo. Three years in, his father passed away. With only one year left to graduation, he made the difficult decision to leave school.

Back in Cleveland, Bohanon struggled for direction. His uncle, a CNC machinist, suggested that he look into Tri-C’s Precision Machining program.

In September 2014, Bohanon enrolled in the Precision Machining Technology I certificate program and spent 14 weeks working on manual CNC machines. His interest piqued, he enrolled in the second-level certificate program, where he learned about programmable CNC lathes and mills. He then moved on to Precision Machining Technology III, completing the program in less than seven months while working full time.

Bohanon appreciated Tri‐C’s smaller class sizes and the accessibility of instructors and program staff. He was especially thankful for the hands-on learning opportunities the College provides, which suit his learning style better than typical classroom lectures.

“We would talk about something in class and then go to the shop floor. Once I saw it a couple of times, it was in my memory,” he said.

Bohanon was able to transfer many of his engineering courses from the University of Toledo and apply them toward an associate degree. These credits, combined with the certificates he earned from Tri‐C, left him needing only a few more courses to graduate. In December 2016, he received an associate degree in applied industrial technology.

Bohanon’s position at NobleTek, secured with help from the College, allows him to meet with

clients across the country and earn certifications in new, complex software.

“I wouldn’t have received this opportunity or the attention of the company without the skills and help that Tri‐C gave me,” he said.

March 07, 2018

Kathy Gill, 216-987-4704 or kathleen.gill@tri-c.edu