CSCC Advanced Technology Institute Student Spotlight
CSCC Advanced Technology Institute Student Spotlight
Holly Appleton
Monday, December 6, 2021 12:00 AM
All, Students, Service-Learning, Press Releases
CLEVELAND, Tenn. - When Tyler Rikard enrolled in the Advanced Technologies Institute (ATI) at Cleveland State Community College, he had no idea he would enjoy the position he was placed with so much that he could potentially see himself there in a long-term career, but that is exactly what happened.
Rikard is a first-year Advanced Technologies Institute student and an Electrical Engineering Major graduating in the Spring of 2022. Rikard discovered the ATI program during his freshman year and applied to the program to further advance his opportunities by gaining knowledge and experience with a local industry partner.
“Nokian Tyres has provided me with a great job opportunity to grow while going to school and working in the industry,” stated Rikard. Tyler’s supervisor, Ronnie Webb, has also had a good experience with the ATI.
“It is nice to see students have the willingness and drive to tackle working and going to school at the same time while working towards goals,” stated Webb. “Tyler is a dependable and excellent worker. He is also a valued team member that contributes immensely to our maintenance department.”
Tyler’s favorite part about working with Nokian Tyres is the diversity of the work. “I love that I get to work with both electrical and mechanical equipment,” Rikard explains.
After graduating from Cleveland State, Rikard would like to see his employment at Nokian Tyres continue, and Webb couldn’t agree more.
Webb continued, “It is my hope that Tyler will want to make a career here at Nokian Tyres.”
For more information on the ATI, call 423-614-8749 or email at ati@clevelandstatecc.edu.
For more information on Cleveland State Community College, visit the website at
clevelandstatecc.edu or email clscc_info@clevelandstatecc.edu. If you are interested in applying, visit mycs.cc/applynow. Students are currently enrolled online and on-campus through the CSCC main campus in Cleveland, Tennessee, as well as CSCC’s Athens Center in Athens, Tennessee and Monroe County Center in Vonore, Tennessee.
CSCC earned the Tennessee Board of Regent’s 2019 College of The Year. CSCC directly serves Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, and Polk Counties in Tennessee. The College System of Tennessee is the state’s largest public higher education system, with 13 community colleges, 27 colleges of applied technology and the online TN eCampus serving more than 140,000 students.
About the ATI: The Advanced Technologies Institute (ATI) is a selective institute that offers students an opportunity to blend classroom instruction with on-site experience at various industry partner sites. Students who have a desire to work in an advanced technologies field (manufacturing technician, HVAC technician, pre-engineering, etc.) will be ideal candidates who should apply for acceptance into this co-op experience. Selected students will collaborate with local industry in a paid experience where they will explore careers that they are interested in while gaining valuable employability skills, enhanced soft skills, and leadership theory.
