DMACC Automotive Technology

05/27/2026

The summer semester has begun and our students in AUT173 “Advanced Engines” have already started removing engines from vehicles to be repaired.

05/08/2026

🚗🔧 We’re set up today at the Industrial Technology Expo & Car Show at Southeast Polk High School — and it’s a perfect day to come check it out!

Four of us from the DMACC Automotive program are here showing off what automotive technology education is all about.

🔥 Stop by and try:
• Pit Crew Challenge
• Cylinder Head Challenge
• Check out the Challenger Hellcat we brought along

There are also a TON of awesome vehicles in the car show — classics, customs, muscle cars, and more.

Beautiful weather, cool cars, and plenty to see today. Come out and say hi! 🚘☀️

04/28/2026

DMACC Auto Club Getting It Done 💪🛣️

The DMACC Automotive Technologies Auto Club (Ankeny Campus) on Thursday April 23rd took part in the
Iowa DOT Adopt-A-Highway Program—helping keep our community clean and looking its best.

Our crew covered Highway 415 (2nd Ave / State Street) from Oralabor Road to 66th Avenue, working outward after staging at Vittoria Lodge.

👏 Huge thank you to:
• Vittoria Lodge for allowing us to park and organize
• Our students and staff who showed up and put in the work

This is what it’s all about—
real-world experience, teamwork, and giving back to the community.

Actual pictures in comments.

04/16/2026

Huge shoutout to Snap-on Tools for donating the TPMS5 tire pressure monitoring service tool to our program! This will be a great addition to our special tools for students to get more exposure to the all the best tools out there. Snap-on Tools For Life

04/15/2026

Activity was prominent in labs 12 and 14 today, encompassing four classes, waste oil pickup, and training sessions for Snap-On area representatives on their tools.

04/13/2026

🎥 Inside AUT 163 – Basic Engines at DMACC

Here’s a quick look at what goes on in our Des Moines Area Community College automotive program.

This is from our AUT 163 Basic Engines class—where students aren’t just learning from a book… they’re getting hands-on, real-world experience every day in the shop.

🔧 Turning wrenches
🧠 Building knowledge
🚗 Learning what it really takes to succeed in the industry

This is where the next generation of technicians gets their start.

04/10/2026

04/10/2026

🔧 Real-World Save at DMACC 🔧

Subbing today at Southridge Career Academy, a student brought her car in thinking she had a leak.

As she was setting it up on the hoist, she spotted something most people would have missed…

(see photos 👇)

A severely cracked wheel.

This wasn’t just curb rash or cosmetic damage—this was a structural crack that could have failed at any time.

We checked for a spare from another Ford, but unfortunately it didn’t fit.

At that point, the decision was simple:
👉 I strongly recommended she leave the vehicle here until she can get the correct replacement.

Because driving on this?
It’s not a risk—it’s a guarantee waiting to happen.

Here’s the best part:
👉 She caught it herself.

That’s exactly what this program is about:
✔️ Paying attention
✔️ Understanding what you’re looking at
✔️ Making the right call for safety

Proud instructor moment today. This is how we keep people safe on the road.

04/03/2026

Came across something while looking for a post for our GM ASEP program…and I’ll be honest, it stopped me in my tracks. 😳

The guy looked like me a few years back when I grew my beard out to play Santa for the Elks Lodge—and then he said his name. That really got my attention!

It made me think about the path that got me here. I’m a graduate of the GM ASEP program right here at DMACC. I didn’t spend my entire career as a technician, but I worked my way up through fixed operations and spent 35 years with one dealership, eventually becoming Fixed Operations Director.

Now I’m here at Des Moines Area Community College as an instructor—and I can honestly say it’s been the best, most stressful, and most satisfying job I’ve ever had. I truly look forward to coming to work every day.

One thing I want to stress to all students:
My Associate of Applied Science degree was required for me to get this position. I’m glad the younger version of me stuck with it and finished, instead of just working and learning on the job like some suggested.

No matter what program you’re in—finish it.

🎓 Your future self may need that degree.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

03/07/2026