Ken Mays

Professor of Automotive Technology/Program Director

Ken Mays has been teaching courses in COCC'sAutomotive Technology Programfor 25 years and has directed the program since 1998. It is a joy, he says, to see what students do with their knowledge and experience.

I absolutely enjoy watching past graduates succeed in the automotive industry as technicians, managers and business owners, says Ken. Teaching at COCC has been a wonderful opportunity to watch students excel and to be a part of their lifelong learning.

His favorite courses to teach are those that encompass an array of scientific principles, mixed with mechanical and electrical applications. I especially enjoy the areas of ignition, fuel injection, computer controls and emissions that tie together into diagnostic routines, says Ken. These areas are a challenge, and I enjoy working with students on these complex situations.

Two new associate degrees have been developed: Automotive Management and an Automotive Technology in Electronics and Diagnostics (TED). The advanced classes are located at the Technology Education Technology Center across from the Redmond Airport. Ken invites people to visit and see what the COCC students are doing. You will be impressed, he says.

The automotive industry is changing fast, and I'm looking forward to the challenges as technology moves toward multiple modes of propulsion systems, says Ken. The COCC Automotive Technology Program will be ready.

Ken was instrumental in initiating the formation of a nonprofit consortium that includes seven other community colleges. The mission of this group is to improve the growing auto tech readiness gap and improve continuing education opportunities for technicians.