Dallas College

Student Experience: Geoff Tchon

“I had always loved airplanes growing up, so when I had a chance to start over, I fell right into it.

“I had a small business that ended up collapsing during COVID. Then, when I was looking online, I found that Dallas College was starting their aircraft maintenance program. I thought, yes, this is something I want to do for my future. The Dallas College program is really a career-ready program that focuses on your long-term success. Over 90% of our students have passed our REN exams and are already licensed.

“It’s a lot of taking us from just raw students and turning us into professionals. We have a hanger right over at RedBird. We have engines. We have airframes. We’re actually doing the work that we’re going to be doing out in the field and working with the exact tools we would be using.

“I’ve discovered it takes a lot of perseverance and determination as well as not being afraid to roll up your sleeves and get your hands a little dirty.”


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Alonzo Adams

Alonzo L. Adams

Self-Employed Mechanic Adjunct Automotive Technology Faculty Cedar Valley
“I was eager to learn, and the Diesel program really excited me. The more I learned, the more I realize it’s not so hard. All of my instructors have been knowledgeable; any questions I had for them, they were pretty much able to answer everything. These are great courses if you want to work on diesel engines.”
Automotive, Automotive Technology, Automotive Technology - Diesel and Heavy Equipment
Rafael Merren

Rafael Merren

Owner/Operator Grump’s Rod Shop
“It’s great to have intelligent capabilities, but if you don’t have the skillsets to back them up, what’s the point of going out into the real world? If you have a practical skill, you can always put bread on the table.”
Auto Body Technology
Kathryn Jaeger

Kathryn Jaeger

Technician, Trophy Nissan of Mesquite
“People look at a car and open the hood and see all the hoses and connections, and maybe think, ‘I am never going to figure this out.' Then you learn the basic concepts, and it’s more simplistic than you would think.”
Automotive Technology
Doug Jochum

Doug Jochum

Art Teacher Skyline High School
“The students here are also attentive and helpful — I found out right away that there’s a group of them who have been here a while and who will chip in to help you do anything you don’t understand or help hold something you’re working on. I think that attitude is a reflection of the teaching here as well.”
Welding
Geoff Tchon
Geoff Tchon
Student, Dallas College Aviation Maintenance Program
Aviation Maintenance Technology
School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology
Updated July 28, 2026