Two Gavilan College students in the Computer Graphics and Design program—and their instructor—walked away from the California State Fair in Sacramento last month with top honors, extending the program’s winning streak for a fifth straight year.
CGD technical graphics student Emily Faz, of Morgan Hill, took home the highest award in her division—the fair’s GoEngineer SolidWorks Award—as well as a first-place rosette. Faz was recognized for a collection of three-dimensional models of six dolls she made, all by creating virtual interchangeable parts.
Gilroy’s Tim Holliday, also a CGD technical graphics student, earned a second-place rosette in the solid model rendering category for a three-dimensional model of a guitar.
For Colette Marie McLaughin, Faz and Holliday’s instructor and head of the CGD program, the awards point to the consistent quality of her students.
“I love being able to get students engaged in what they’re learning and these two students reflect the best of the best,” McLaughlin said. “They put in an incredible amount of work to create their projects, were collaborative and helped other students and are incredible human beings. You don’t win a ribbon without putting in more than what is expected.”
McLaughlin received a first-place rosette at the state fair, but that’s not what she said she’s most proud of; it’s her students—past and present.
As the self-described passionate teacher counted the five ribbons on her wall, she described the jobs her former students have gotten after completing her two-year program—from designing patents and doing graphic design to working in the public sector.
“My program teaches them how to use complicated technical engineering and architectural design programs. They’re able to learn skills to get jobs in the technical fields,” she said, adding that those who finish a two-year vocational education program at a community college often get higher paying jobs than those fresh out of a college or university with a four-year liberal arts degree. “CGD students gain the skills needed to succeed in today’s highly technical and competitive industries.”
For more information about Gavilan College’s CGD program, click here.
