DeKalb County High School is proud to announce the donation of a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder to its maintenance and light repair automotive technology Program, courtesy of Nissan. The vehicle will serve as a valuable training resource, enhancing students’ hands-on learning experience and preparing them for careers in the automotive industry.
“We appreciate this donation from Nissan to help us provide students with hands-on learning opportunities,” said DCHS CTE Director Brad Leach. “We can’t wait to see the incredible things students in our automotive program will achieve. From classrooms to careers, we’re excited to be a part of these student’s journeys,” he said.
Michael Whitefield is the class instructor at DCHS.
“These vehicles will be used for high school students to learn some of the latest technology for their automotive services program so they can disassemble the brake assembly, tires, wheels, engine components, interior components, and pretty much use them as they wish for training or automotive services programs,” said Jason Stanley, Senior Manager for Nissan’s manufacturing workforce development in a phone interview with WJLE.
“It’s to introduce students to the latest types of vehicle technology, power train, and things of that nature to help them grow and learn for a potential career field if that’s a job or career opportunity they want to pursue after high school,” Stanley explained.
“These vehicles can only be used for automotive services type programs for disassembly repair. They are not eligible to be registered and driven on the streets,” he added.
“We work with our philanthropy division at Nissan on how to donate these vehicles to technical schools and high schools to support automotive services programs,” said Stanley. “This past year we had quite a few vehicles become available. We look at our current employee base, where our employees live, and try to connect with the schools in those areas. Working through TCAT McMinnville they helped us reach out to Brad Leach at DeKalb County High School who worked with our philanthropy team and secured the donation which we were able to make last Friday,” said Stanley.
“We are proud to be able to support our local high schools and the students. Obviously with Nissan being in the middle Tennessee area its always good to see people interested in the automotive environment. Not just from the manufacturing standpoint but from a dealer services viewpoint as well,” Stanley said. “We are proud to be able to support programs like this and help these students get some experience and exposure on new equipment and hopefully lead them to a career of their choice”.