The mechatronics program at Virginia Peninsula Community College is well-known not just in Hampton Roads, but across the country. And don’t just take the College’s word for it.
“Rich Wilcox is running a high-level mechatronics program, as evidenced by his being asked to be Master teacher by NC3,” said Scott Stauble, dean of the STEM division at the College.
That designation involves Wilcox traveling across the country to train new NC3 (National Coalition of Certification Centers) instructors. Stauble also noted VPCC is one of only a handful of colleges offering high-level NC3 certifications in mechatronics, which combines all types of engineering, using robotics, computer science and more, in the manufacturing sector.
The most recent trip for Wilcox, head of the mechatronics program at VPCC, was to Temple College in Texas in April to train mechatronics instructors at two-year and four-year institutions throughout the United States.
“It's just been a great honor to have him teach those courses to our students and recognized as such a great instructor in this area to go out and train these new folks who are going to teach these courses,” Stauble said.
Wilcox joined VPCC in 2015 but has been teaching since 2004. He enjoys leading the training, which vastly differs from teaching high school and college students.
“You go out and teach the teachers,” he said. “It’s really interesting because you get to share this is how I do it in my class.”
Some of those teachers Wilcox trains have never seen the equipment before class. Others have a lot of experience but are eager to learn a different approach or method.
“It’s enjoyable,” he said, adding he likes the fact what he’s doing extends beyond the VPCC community.
“They can go back home and teach the tricks I’ve learned over the years and share those with their students. It’s a different approach,” he said. “It’s something I’ve never done. I think it’s a bigger reach than what I have right here.”
Stauble agrees.
“It’s going above and beyond meeting the needs of our community, where we’re offering nationally recognized instruction and nationally recognized instructors to train the future workforce in our region and increase our impact on the community,” Stauble said.
It won’t be the last training opportunity for Wilcox, who is finalizing details on a few other seminars.
The numbers in VPCC’s mechatronics program have been growing steadily in the past few years, fueled by the dual enrollment program with the New Horizons Regional Education Centers.
“We’re in the process of hiring another mechatronics-focused instructor to help grow that program because it’s had so much success,” Stauble said. “We are very proud of this program. This program is nationally recognized for its excellence.”