ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Alumni Notes
Automotive Technology Grad Returns to Teach CHRIS TESTA ’ 16 is now sharing his knowledge with aspiring automotive technology students in RCC ’ s state-of-the-art Herbert Kurz Automotive Technology Center in Orangeburg . “ I never knew I wanted to become an instructor until I came to RCC . I became a teaching assistant through the peer mentoring program . I learned how a classroom works from the other side of the desk , and how much truly goes into a well-thought-out lesson . My field experience , industry certifications and classroom experience landed me a job right back at RCC . I am so thankful for the opportunities provided to me at RCC . The faculty always went above and beyond to help me with anything I needed . RCC laid the building blocks to the success of my career .”
RCC Grad , Veterans Leader , Still Serving Country
US Army and Navy veteran NORM COTTRILL ’ 14 blends his patriotic calling with his career pursuits as an audio-visual production specialist for the Army in Picatinny Arsenal , NJ . In this position , he produces training videos to assist modern-war fighters in their field roles . “ My videos are making a difference in the lives of people who defend our country ,” he says proudly . “ I am using my experience to help my military brothers and sisters .”
Cottrill served with the US Navy during the Persian Gulf War and later as a parachutist with the Army ’ s 82nd Airborne Division . He used his AA degree in Communications and Media Arts from RCC as a steppingstone toward a bachelor ’ s , earning a BA in Media Studies / Film & Television from Marist College in 2016 .
While a student at Marist , Cottrill served as a communications intern at Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America , a nonprofit advocacy group , and as a production intern at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert . The long train commute into NYC allowed him ample time to work on Marist classroom assignments .
At RCC , Cottrill volunteered at the Multi- Media Production Center , producing , hosting and editing segments for RCC- TV . He served as the College chapter ’ s first president of the SALUTE veterans honor society , and actively supported successful NYS Jobs for Heroes legislation and expansion of a veterans peer support project . He graduated with a 3.55 GPA , earned induction into Phi Theta Kappa and Phi Sigma Omicron , and won the SUNY Chancellor ’ s Award for Student Excellence .
Cottrill credits the “ frontline ” people at RCC for providing him vital career guidance when he needed it most , people such as JONATHAN BARNWELL , JANICE GOLDSTEIN and BETH ROBINSON . “ Without the support and mentoring of good people in the right positions , none of my success would be possible ,” he says . Cottrill , of Chester , NY , is married and has three grown sons , one of whom is an Army infantryman .
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