Northeastern Technical College (NETC) has deployed 15 Avive Connect AED® devices (Automated External Defibrillators) and 20 first aid kits across its campuses, strengthening emergency preparedness and reinforcing the college’s commitment to protecting lives through proactive, community-centered safety initiatives.

NETC joins a growing number of technical and community colleges investing in modern, scalable AED programs to address health risks on campus and improve emergency response and cardiac arrest survival outcomes for students, faculty, and staff.

The initiative, originated by Melvin Warren, NETC Safety and Security Manager, and facilitated by Dr. Veronica Jenkins, SCC3 Consortium Director, is designed to enhance emergency response capabilities and improve outcomes in cases of sudden cardiac arrest. The equipment has been strategically distributed across all campuses to maximize accessibility and coverage.

AEDs have been installed in high-traffic and athletic areas, supported by clear signage and secure cabinets to ensure they are easily accessible in critical moments. On the day of delivery, NETC leadership and Area Commissioners participated in hands-on training, reinforcing the college’s commitment to preparedness and proactive safety measures.

“One of the key reasons we selected Avive for our AED program is its cost-effectiveness and smart connectivity features,” said Melvin Warren, NETC Safety and Security Manager. “The device’s real-time automated data reporting capabilities enhance our ability to continuously monitor AED readiness across campus while reducing time-consuming manual checks, ensuring our AEDs are always ready when needed.”

The new AEDs include advanced, life-saving features designed to improve response time and effectiveness. Each device performs daily self-tests and is supported by remote readiness monitoring through cellular, Wi-Fi, and GPS connectivity. The AEDs are also equipped with 911 integration, which alerts local emergency telecommunicators with the exact GPS location as soon as the pads are placed on a patient’s chest.

This initiative is a key component of NETC’s broader student health and wellness strategy, emphasizing preparedness, awareness, and timely intervention.

Erin Fann, NETC Interim President, said the partnership reflects a strong commitment to protecting students and strengthening campus safety. “Providing access to life-saving equipment and training helps ensure our college community is prepared to respond when it matters most,” Fann said.

Warren emphasized the importance of readiness and accessibility. “Having AEDs readily available across our campuses, combined with proper training, significantly increases our ability to respond quickly and effectively during an emergency,” he said.

By strengthening its AED program, NETC continues to enhance emergency readiness and underscores its commitment to a culture of care, preparedness, and shared responsibility across campus.

Tony Tiger, a recent Northeastern Technical College graduate, is already putting his skills to work and seeing strong results.

Tony reached out to Instructor Eli Larsen to share an exciting update and express his appreciation for the guidance and instruction he received. After completing NETC’s Upskills and Blueprint Reading classes, he has launched his career as a technician for Amtrak, earning a starting wage of $25 per hour. He credits the hands-on training and personalized support he received at NETC as essential to his success.

His story highlights the value of practical, career-focused training and the real-world impact of upskilling programs. NETC’s courses are designed to provide students with the knowledge, experience, and confidence to excel in their chosen fields, helping them transition smoothly into rewarding careers.

NETC is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of its students and alumni and looks forward to seeing more success stories like Tony’s as graduates continue to make an impact in their professions.

Northeastern Technical College is actively preparing for its upcoming reaffirmation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), a critical process that ensures the institution continues to meet high standards of quality and effectiveness in higher education.

As Interim President Erin Fann emphasized, reaffirmation is an opportunity to “tell our story” and highlight the impactful work happening across campus. The process represents a snapshot in time that reflects the college’s commitment to student success, institutional effectiveness, and continuous improvement. To present the strongest possible case, this effort will require collaboration across the entire campus, involving students, faculty, staff, and departments.

“This is not the work of one office,” Fann shared. “It will take all of us working together to highlight who we are and what we do.”

To support this initiative, the college has partnered with accreditation consultant Doug Weimer of Southeastern Accreditation Consultants. Weimer previously assisted the college with its Fifth-Year Interim Report and played a key role in helping guide successful monitoring efforts. With nearly two decades of experience in higher education, he brings valuable insight as the college begins this next phase.

During his time on campus, Weimer is meeting with various groups to help guide the reaffirmation process and support the development of required documentation.

Accreditation is essential to the college’s mission. Maintaining compliance with SACSCOC standards ensures that students remain eligible for federal financial aid and reinforces the value and credibility of a Northeastern Technical College education.

As the reaffirmation process moves forward, the college community is encouraged to stay engaged, participate fully, and take pride in contributing to this important milestone.

The NETC golf team just returned from Columbia, SC where they competed with 102 other golfers from eleven other colleges in the 2nd Annual Swinging Koala Classic hosted by Columbia College.

Just as in our previous three tournaments this spring, the weather played the title role. Day one was hot, with temperatures reaching the mid-eighties while day two was marked with cold temps and high winds.

Scoring on Day 1 for the NETC Trailblazers was led by Rodney Atkinson who fired his best tournament round of the year with an 82. Rounding out our team scores on Day 1 were Jack DeLyra and Drake Morris with rounds of 88 and Cody Watkins who shot 89. Evan Cox shot 94.

However, Day 2, with its cold weather, was not very kind to any of the players. Rodney dropped to a 92 while Cody lost a couple shots and fired 91. Evan Cox was able to fashion a round of 90 by shaving four strokes off of his first round 94. However, Jack DeLyra struggled in the cold with a round of 100. Drake Morris was disqualified from the competition due to a rules infraction.

The team’s next and last tournament of the spring is five weeks away when we will travel to Morristown, TN to compete at The Country Club in the NJCAA Region 10 Southeast District Tournament April 26-28.

On Thursday, April 2, 18 students from Chesterfield High School visited Northeastern Technical College to learn more about career paths in nursing and mechatronics. The visit provided hands-on exposure to college programs and sparked conversations about future opportunities in these high-demand fields.

The visit was facilitated by Hope Pigg from the Nursing Department, who guided 12 students through the program, and Seth Johnson from Mechatronics, who worked with 6 students.

This experience gave Chesterfield High students a firsthand look at NETC’s programs and the skills needed to succeed in these exciting careers.

We had a wonderful time visiting Compass Point Preschool for their Easter celebration! The 3K and 4K teachers hosted an Easter egg hunt full of laughter, playfulness, and memorable moments. Children eagerly searched for colorful eggs, giggled as they discovered surprises, and enjoyed spending time with their friends.

NETC representatives had a wonderful time joining the celebration, bringing Easter goodie bags and sharing in the fun. Their presence helped make the day even more special as they celebrated alongside these amazing little learners. The excitement and joy throughout the event highlighted the value of learning through play and creating happy, lasting memories for young children.

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