(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City school officials held a ribbon cutting this week for a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) center.
The $13.5 million-dollar facility repurposes the former Brown Mackie College location at the corner of U.S. 20 and S. Woodland Ave. The CTE South Campus complements the A.K. Smith Career Center (North Campus), which offers other vocational programs. The new center is now home to career readiness programs ranging from automotive and construction trades to healthcare and criminal justice studies.
“This state-of-the-art facility provides students with skills which prepare them for employment in today’s workplace,” said CTE Director Dr. David Notary. The new campus features advanced facilities such as simulation medical bed stations in the Health Academy lab. The Automotive Technology lab includes a secure transaction area where students can gain practical experience interacting with customers who bring vehicles to the facility for service.
The CTE program allows students to earn high school and college credits (through partnerships with Ivy Tech and Vincennes University), as well as professional certifications. It serves about 350 juniors and seniors from seven high schools all over La Porte County and New Buffalo.
The new facility also houses the new Little Wolves Early Learning Center preschool, bringing services to a wider range of students.
“This new facility is a testament to our commitment to preparing students who are truly college- and career-ready,” said Dr. Wendel McCollum, Superintendent of Michigan City Area Schools. “There’s been a lot of conversation across the state and nation about the importance of Pre-K through Grade 14 education. At Michigan City Area Schools, we’re proud to demonstrate what that truly means by supporting students from their earliest years, all the way through high school and into college or career pathways.”
Michigan City School Board President Marty Corley called the project a roadmap for collaboration, involving local government and industry partners. “Importantly, this project was completed in a way that is tax-neutral,” he said, “with no additional impact to our taxpayers. That’s something we are very proud of, insuring we are making smart, sustainable investments in the future.”
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests enjoyed student-led tours of the facility and light refreshments prepared by Culinary Arts students.
At a prior meeting, Michigan City School Board members voted to name the center after recently-retired superintendent Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins.
