Mohawk Honda Donates Honda Civic to Automotive Department

November 26, 2018

It’s a wonderful time of year for students in Hudson Valley’s Automotive Technical Services program, who have another vehicle to use for hands-on learning in their classes thanks to Mohawk Honda. The dealership donated a 2014 Honda Civic to the program, which will be used in the automotive electronics lab to allow students to troubleshoot and repair the advanced computer systems unique to newer cars on the market today.

Representatives from Mohawk Honda and the Eastern New York Coalition of Automotive Retailers (ENYCAR) joined college officials on campus Tuesday, Nov. 20 to celebrate the donation.

This isn’t the first time Mohawk Honda has contributed to Hudson Valley’s automotive program. Their most recent contribution was a 2013 Ford Escape, which they donated to the college in January. Automotive Technical Services Assistant Professor Randy Howarth said these kinds of donations are essential to teaching students how to fix newer cars and troubleshoot changing technological components.

“We’re so grateful for Mohawk Honda’s continued support of our program,” said Howarth. “Not only do they contribute through donations like this, but they also have a lot of our techs working there.”

Mohawk Honda President and Owner Jeff Haraden echoed that sentiment. “We’re finding less and less young people wanting to get into the automotive field, so we want to do everything we can to help the college train good technicians and get people into the industry,” he said. “We hope getting a Honda into the college’s shop will help continue the flow of technicians to come work for us.”

Travis Horne, director of service and parts operation for Mohawk Honda, works directly with Hudson Valley graduates at the dealership. “We have three employees who started out in the last two years as part-time apprentices from Hudson Valley, and now they’re all full-time employees, all doing great, all with positive attitudes,” he said. “They all have a bright future in their careers in the automotive business. This program is an example we use to encourage people to come into the industry, so we’re really happy to donate and to be a partner.”

Kirk Austin, facilities and operations manager for Mohawk Honda, agrees. “We believe in the program so much,” he said. “If we can give the college assets like this in order to train people, we can continue to grow together.”

The college offers three programs in the automotive field: an Automotive Management A.A.S., Automotive Technical Services A.O.S., and Automotive Technical Services-Autobody Repair A.O.S. The programs serve nearly 200 students each year.

Dealerships or individuals who are interested in discussing the donation of newer vehicles to the college's Automotive Technical Services program may contact Assistant Professor Randy Howarth at r.howarth@hvcc.edu or contact the college's Foundation at (518) 629-8012.