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North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) students recently earned top awards at the National SkillsUSA Championships held during the National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Competitions held during the National SkillsUSA Championships represent some of the most highly skilled, in-demand skilled trade areas in the nation. 

Three NDSCS students earned top national spotlight for their achievements during the championships: 

Josiah Hunter of Bottineau, N.D. earned a gold medal in the Electrical Construction Wiring category. His skills were evaluated on a written test, conduit bending exercise, and hands-on electrical installations. Working from drawings and specification sheets, Hunter installed an electrical system common in most residential and light commercial projects. Judging was based on general workmanship, accuracy of layout and installation, and adherence to the current National Electric Code (NEC) and standard industry safe practices. 

Ben Klemen of Argusville, N.D. earned a silver medal in the Welding category. Competitors in this category received drawings and a set of welding procedure specifications that conform to the latest edition of the American Welding Society standards. At a series of stations, Klemen was tested on various aspects of welding including measuring weld replicas, laying out a plate and using oxy-acetylene equipment to cut several holes that are checked for accuracy and quality, gas metal arc welding (GMAW) on steel making welds in various positions, and more. Klemen completed a steel project and an aluminum project using a variety of filler metals. 

Carl Ekre of Hawley, Minn. earned a silver medal in the CNC 2 - Axis Turning Programmer category. Ekre’s skills were evaluated on his ability to plan and program jobs for CNC (Computer Numerical Control) turning centers and provide instructions for operators to execute. He was tested on his ability to program and generate code, troubleshoot programming errors, interpret prints, and measure parts, among other skills. 

Additional NDSCS students earned placement within the top 10 in the nation for their respective skills, including: 
• Jace Baird of Fargo, N.D. earned 10th place in TeamWorks. 
• Levi Biewer of Fargo, N.D. earned 8th place in Carpentry. 
• Alexander Blonigen of Paynesville, Minn. earned 10th place in TeamWorks. 
• Davian Day of Fargo, N.D. earned 10th place in TeamWorks. 
• Luke Eberle of Mandan, N.D. earned 10th place in TeamWorks. 
• Avery McFarland of Gwinner, N.D. earned 7th place in CNC Programmer. 
• Aaron Meier of Zeeland, N.D. earned 9th place in Collision Repair Technology. 
• Isabella Roll of Minot, N.D. earned 9th place in Automotive Refinishing Technology. 
• Francisco Salazar of Dilworth, Minn. earned 8th place in Architectural Drafting. 

The SkillsUSA Championship is one of the largest hands-on workforce events in the world and is known for competitions showcasing the best career and technical education students in the nation. The competitions of the SkillsUSA Championships are created and judged by industry to ensure that students are learning the real-world skills employers demand from entry-level professionals. Thousands of career and technical education students compete in over 100 skilled and leadership events during the SkillsUSA Championships.

North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) received its official Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 147 Air Agency Certificate today, formally authorizing the College to train the next generation of Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs). The certificate — presented during a brief ceremony inside the AMT Program Hangar — marks the final milestone in a 12-month application, inspection, and approval process. 

“We are honored to receive this FAA certification, and we’re excited to begin preparing students for high-demand careers in aviation maintenance,” said Terry Marohl, NDSCS Dean of Transportation. “This recognition reaffirms our commitment to hands-on, industry-driven education, and we’re ready to deliver.” 

Joining Marohl at the ceremony was Nathan Cowan, Aircraft Maintenance Technology (AMT) Program Coordinator, who accepted the certificate on behalf of the College. Representatives from the Fargo Jet Center and the FAA’s Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) presented the certificate to the NDSCS team. 

“With this certificate in hand, we can give students a direct, affordable pathway into one of the fastest-growing careers in aviation,” said Cowan. “Our students will graduate workforce-ready and in high demand.” 

Set to launch in Fall 2025, the program is the only FAA-certified offering of its kind in North Dakota. NDSCS will welcome its first class of AMT students to its 19th Avenue North Fargo location, with instruction taking place in both classroom and hands-on at the AMT Program Hangar in collaboration with the Fargo Jet Center. 

“This is more than a certification—it’s a commitment to students, employers, and the future of aviation in North Dakota,” added Marohl. 

For more information about the program, visit NDSCS.edu/Aviation. 

Photo caption (Left to Right): Darren Hall, Fargo Jet Center, VP Business Development; Gary Kwasniewski, Aviation Safety Inspector, FAA; Nathan Cowan; Terry Marohl; Joshua Rychener, Aviation Safety Inspector, FAA; Todd Roth, Frontline Operations Manager, FAA