Vaughn College's 11th Annual Manufacturing Day
On November 7, 2025, Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology proudly celebrated its 11th Annual Manufacturing Day, a significant event that coincides with National Manufacturing Month. This year's themes revolved around showcasing advancements in manufacturing and addressing the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the field.
Organized by Vaughn's Engineering and Technology Department, the event featured presentations from distinguished alumni who have made notable contributions in various sectors of engineering and technology. Dr. Hossein Rahemi, the department chair, highlighted the significance of having alumni present their insights: "What was so special about this year's presentations was that every speaker was a Vaughn graduate. These alumni are contributing what they learned at the College and sharing their knowledge with the next generation of students to help foster their success."
Among the speakers was Daniel Doscher, a mechatronics engineer at ArcBest Technologies, and Ariel Ferrera, who co-founded Hoppion. The lineup also included Bilal Siddique, a senior project manager at Honeywell Building Solutions, and Michael Wroblewski, a business development and product manager for CIRCOR Aerospace & Defense. Each presenter emphasized their journey from Vaughn to their current roles, aiming to inspire the high school and community college students in attendance.
Wroblewski expressed his fondness for Vaughn, stating, "I have always cherished my time as a student here, and it always felt like family. I hope to spread awareness about the importance of advancements in munition technology, an area that often goes unnoticed."
The day was not just limited to presentations; it also included hands-on workshops hosted by Vaughn's Robotics, Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and Rover Clubs. Students from various local schools, including Bayside, Hillcrest, and St. Catharine Academy, participated in STEM workshops focused on robotics design and programming, drone flying, and the rover design process.
As manufacturing continues to evolve, a joint study by the Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte predicts that up to 3.8 million manufacturing jobs will be needed in the next decade, with nearly half of those positions expected to remain unfilled due to talent shortages. These statistics underscore the importance of initiatives like Manufacturing Day, which aims to bridge the gap between education and employment in this critical industry.
In addition to the event's efforts, Vaughn College recently received a generous $125,000 grant from the GE Aerospace Foundation. This funding is part of a new flagship program designed to boost the number of highly skilled manufacturing workers in the workforce by 10,000 beginning in 2026. The grant will facilitate the acquisition of state-of-the-art training equipment and enhance the current teaching resources for aviation maintenance.
Established in 1932, Vaughn College serves over 1,400 students pursuing various degree programs in engineering, technology, management, and aviation. With an impressive student-faculty ratio of 16:1, the institution offers a highly personalized educational experience. Notably, 97% of Vaughn graduates find professional employment or opt to further their studies within a year of graduation, a testament to the effective education provided.
As a recognized Hispanic-serving institution, Vaughn College continues to nurture a diverse student body, many of whom are first-generation college attendees. The college has recently been recognized for its contributions to enhancing upward mobility among its graduates.
With events like Manufacturing Day, Vaughn College not only enriches its community but also plays a crucial role in shaping the future workforce of the engineering and technology sectors.
For more information about Vaughn College, visit
their official website.