Picture Yourself Here: Gavin Hughes

Mattawan High School student Gavin Hughes, 16, is getting a jump start on his future career as an HVAC technician by taking classes at Kalamazoo Valley. He's enrolled at the college through the dual enrollment program and is completing his first year as a college student while also taking Mattawan High School classes as a junior.

Adjusting to college has not been an issue for him. "I like order and structure and I'm a hands-on learner," he said. "I've always liked to take things apart and put them back together." He'll graduate in June 2025 from Mattawan and will then complete another year at Kalamazoo Valley to obtain HVAC certification. As an HVAC technician, he will install, maintain, and repair heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems.

He's been impressed with his Kalamazoo Valley instructors. "They're all extremely helpful and they're all professionals who worked in the field," Hughes noted.

"I'm really happy here," he said. "I'm enjoying the freedom of being a college student, but I'm also challenged and motivated to learn the content and get my work done. I'd recommend dual enrollment to anyone who wants to be challenged beyond high school."