Alumni Stories
Montgomery College prepares the skilled homegrown talent that the county needs, underlying the fact that MC is a critical part of the MoCo educational ecosystem and pipeline.
Jason Stewart, MC Automotive Technology alum, works as Shop Foreman and Training Coordinator at Ourisman Volvo Bethesda
MC unlocks potential and delivers talent like MC alum Jason Stewart, a Poolesville resident and Watkins Mill High School graduate. He came to MC and earned an associate’s degree in automotive technology and three specialty certificates. These credentials put him on his career path—he is now the shop foreman and training coordinator for Ourisman Volvo of Bethesda, where he has worked for 21 years.
MC Alum Nicanor Aquino, operations manager, MilliporeSigma
MC unlocks potential and delivers talent like MC alum Nicanor Aquino, a Silver Spring resident and Magruder High School graduate. He earned his associate’s degree in biotechnology from MC, which helped him secure his career at MilliporeSigma. He has climbed the ladder to his current role as operations manager, managing four different departments, and looks to hire more MC grads at MilliporeSigma.
MC Alum Matt Trumble, Henley Construction, Senior Superintendent
A lifelong Montgomery County resident, Mr. Trumble came to MC after graduating from Gaithersburg High School in 2011. He earned an associate’s degree in construction management, then a bachelor’s degree from UMD Eastern Shore at USG. His career with Henley began in 2014 and he has climbed the ladder to his role as senior superintendent.
Paul Tse, Senior Project Manager, Shapiro and Duncan
MC unlocks potential and delivers talent like MC alum and Gaithersburg resident Paul Tse. Mr. Tse works as a senior project manager of Shapiro and Duncan, a leading mechanical contracting firm in Rockville. His family immigrated to Montgomery County when he was 10. He studied HVAC and graduated from Edison High School of Technologies. Paus' career at Shapiro and Duncan started right out of high school, and he then quickly enrolled in MC’s HVAC apprenticeship program. He completed the four-year program and become a licensed HVAC Journeyman. Paul has worked for S&D for 19 years, climbing the ladder to his current role as senior project manager.
Savannah Allen, Associate Scientist at MilliporeSigma
MC unlocks potential and delivers talent like Gaithersburg resident Savannah Allen who works as an associate scientist at Millipore Sigma. After working for Whole Foods for many years, she wanted to change careers—so she turned to MC. She earned her MC biotechnology and biotechnology manufacturing certificates and was hired at MilliporeSigma. She’ll earn her MC degree in biotechnology in the fall 2023 with plans to transfer to UMD Global Campus for her bachelor’s degree in biotechnology.
Jason Oakes, MC business alum, Field Services Representative, Digital Receiver Technology, Inc. (A Boeing Company)
MC unlocks potential and delivers talent like MC alum Jason Oakes, field services rep for Digital Receiver Technology, a Boeing Company, in Germantown. A Damascus resident, Mr. Oakes graduated from Rockville High School, then joined the Army and served in Iraq. After completing his service, he worked for General Dynamics, then turned to MC to continue his education. Jason earned an associate’s in business management, then transferred to UMD’s Robert H. Smith Business School at USG where he earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree.
Williams Ochoa, Biopharmaceutical Associate Apprentice, GlaxoSmithKline
MC unlocks potential and delivers talent, like Mr. Williams Ochoa, who works as Biopharmaceutical Associate Apprentice at GlaxoSmithKline in Rockville. An Aspen Hill resident, Mr. Ochoa was born in El Salvador before moving to MoCo as a child. He graduated from Montgomery Blair High School, then came to MC where he discovered his passion. Today he earns a salary working at GSK while also finishing his associate’s degree in biotechnology.