GOLDSBORO, N.C. – Nissan Motor Corporation has made a significant contribution to automotive education in North Carolina by donating three late-model vehicles to Wayne Community College’s Automotive Systems Technology program.
The donation includes a 2022 Nissan Pathfinder, 2022 Infiniti QX60, and 2023 Nissan Ariya SUV—marking the first fully electric vehicle donated to the college. These vehicles will serve as hands-on training resources for students in the Automotive Technical Educational Program (ATEP).
Enhancing Real-World Training
Wayne Community College operates a Nissan Technician Training Academy (NTTA) through its ATEP program, where students gain practical experience in automotive diagnosis and repair to become factory-trained technicians for Nissan and Infiniti dealerships across the country.
“Having new model vehicles to train with will better prepare our students for what they will be working on within the many dealerships in our service area,” said Kevin Jordan, WCC Transportation Department Chair.
The electric Ariya SUV will be particularly valuable for the program’s Emerging Transportation Technologies class, providing students with crucial hands-on experience with electric vehicle technology as the automotive industry continues its shift toward electrification.
Supporting Future Technicians
Bryant Keel, WCC automotive instructor and ATEP program coordinator, emphasized the importance of having access to current technology in automotive education.
“Our instructors and students here at Wayne Community College are very fortunate to have the support of a company like Nissan,” Keel said. “Because of their generous donation of these three vehicles, our students will have access to new technology that emulates exactly what they will see out in the field.”
Beyond training current students, Keel noted that the donation will help attract prospective students to WCC’s automotive programs by showcasing the advanced vehicles available for instruction.
“I am certain that these vehicles will help to train future automotive technicians for years to come,” he said.
Industry Partnership
Ali Tonn, senior manager of philanthropy at Nissan North America, highlighted the strategic importance of the donation in preparing the next generation of automotive professionals.
“Nissan’s donation of advanced vehicles is more than a gift—it’s a gateway to innovation and opportunity,” Tonn said. “By providing cutting-edge automotive technology directly to Wayne Community College, we’re not only enhancing hands-on training for students but also accelerating career readiness.”
The donation reflects Nissan’s ongoing commitment to supporting automotive education and ensuring that future technicians are equipped with the skills needed to work on modern vehicles, including the growing segment of electric vehicles entering the market.
