Oxford – The eighth cohort for Gadsden State Community College’s FAME Chapter signed with their respective companies during a signing ceremony April 30, 2026, at the Oxford Civic Center.
FAME, or the Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education, is an apprenticeship-style program that allows students to attend class two days a week and work three days a week in a local advanced manufacturing facility.
“The FAME program is a strong example of effective workforce development: collaborative, practical, and centered on lasting success,” said Andy Robertson, dean of Workforce Development. “By blending classroom learning with real-world training, these students are shaping their futures and building a foundation that will support their families and communities for years to come.”
Two classes – known as FAME South and FAME North – were selected with the South students attending class on the Ayers Campus in Anniston and the North students going to Gadsden’s East Broad Campus in the Advanced Manufacturing Center. Gadsden State is the first college in the country to have two locations for the FAME program.
Robertson said over 150 people applied for the new cohort of students with only 50 being selected for employment at one of 18 industry partners. This marks the largest cohort to date.
“Signing Day represents more than a milestone,” Robertson said. “It marks the start of a life-changing path. These students are stepping into a program that combines academic learning with hands-on experience, equipping them for well-paying, in-demand careers in advanced manufacturing. Their commitment today will influence their futures and contribute to the long-term strength of our regional economy.”
After five semesters of classroom education and on-the-job training, graduates of the FAME program will receive an associate in applied science in Industrial Automation, a FAME advanced manufacturing technician credential and five Lean Manufacturing credentials.
To be considered for the FAME program, students must apply and be accepted to Gadsden State, complete a FAME application and write an essay. Qualified applicants then go through an interview process with a panel comprised of industry partners. Program participants are then selected by the industry partners in a draft-style process.
The following students have been selected to participate in the FAME program and work for one of our world-class industry partners:
Automation Robotics Controls – Andrew Woods
Doncasters – Bentley Cable and Jacob Pentecost
General Dynamics – Christopher Blevins
GH Metal Solutions – Dara Aquino
Honda of Alabama – Rylan Hill, Braxton Maxwell, Derek Tyson, and Blaine West
Kobay South – Tristen Cochran
Koch Foods – Ashland Plant – Teon Knox and Hunter Morgan
Koch Foods – Collinsville Plant – Ryan Anderson, Derrick Jackson, Ian McConnel, Braxton Nash, and Evan Teel
Koch Foods – Gadsden Plant – Kyler Finley and Devi Tchidewou
Kronospan – Jesus Bartolo Gijon, Antonio Garza, Anthony Gonzalez-Torres, Sterling McKinney, Braden McMichen, Noah Oswalt, Jack Patterson, Carlos Perez, Zach Pressley, Joel Reyes, Brikael Truss, and Shelomith Yelding
M & H Valve – Benjamin Brady, Chancten Cole, and Aaron Stubblefield
New South Express – Gavin Miller
Prince Metal Stampings – Drew McCarver, Amanda Moore, and Kevin Rodriquez
Tyler Union – Ethan Finley, Austin Pierce, and Jayden Woods
Unipres – James Ingram
Alternates: Phillip Britt, Edward Jones, Nathaniel Ledbetter, Henry Mancillas, Shanna McGathy, Jude Miller, Kaiden Osborne, and Alfonso Zuniga
Additional FAME industry partners: Bridgewater, Koller Craft, and Legacy Cabinets
For more information about the FAME program, visit www.gadsdenstate.edu/fame.
Photos from the event can be found HERE.
