UW/CC Technical Education Student Elected to International Office

Senior Mance Hurley describes the technical education program offered through the UW/CC Center during Career Day. Hurley will serve a one-year term as secretary for TECA, the student division of the International Technical Education Association (ITEA).

Mance Hurley, a senior in the technical education program at the University of Wyoming/Casper College (UW/CC) Center, was recently elected secretary of the Technical Education Collegiate Association (TECA), the student division of the International Technical Education Association (ITEA). Nominated by members of the UW/CC Center chapter and voted in through a national election, Hurley is the liaison between the officers and members. He takes minutes at the monthly meetings which he attends through video conference, completes the paperwork for competitions, and plays a leading role in association events.

Studying to be a technical education teacher, Hurley appreciates the networking opportunities that his office is providing him. He is meeting students, professors, and board members from across the country.

"I'm meeting people that I have only seen and read about in magazines," said Hurley. "They are the movers and shakers."

"Mance was a strong candidate and is going to make a great representative for us on the national level," commented Rod Thompson, assistant lecturer of technical education at the UW/CC Center and the new TECA adviser. "I think this is an awesome opportunity for a student."  

Hurley and Thompson attended the ITEA national conference in Louisville, Ky., where Hurley was introduced as the new secretary and Thompson as the new adviser. Both will serve a one-year term.

TECA plays a large role in organizing competitions and conferences. As a member of the TECA leadership team, Hurley recently traveled to Colorado where he judged skills competitions for the Technology Students Association (TSA). TSA is dedicated to assisting elementary, middle, and high school students who are interested in technology.

As the only entity in Wyoming to offer a bachelor's degree in technical education, the UW/CC Center supports industrial arts instruction and participation of k-12 students across the state. UW/CC Center students help in several TSA events, including the Skills USA competition held in Casper.

Graduating in May, Hurley is a non-traditional student. While studying to earn a bachelor's degree in technical education, he helps support his wife Cindy, son Manny, and daughter Dessa as the owner of Hurley Plumbing.

Posted on Tuesday, July 21, 2009