Dallas College

Student Experience: Marques G. Washington

“I took a drafting course when I was in high school in Corsicana. We got the chance to draw whatever we wanted, and I thought it was really fun. So I decided to get an associate degree, but the technical institute nearest my home was really expensive. My mom found the college on the Internet — I’d never even been there before I went to sign up for the CADD program.

“Mike Kirkpatrick [now retired after more than 30 years of teaching] was one of my favorite professors, and my favorite CADD class was 3-D modeling. “Now I’m the CADD program coordinator and a faculty member. What I love about my job is helping students who start out not being able to draw anything, then go on to four-year universities or get good jobs.”

Marques Washington earned an associate degree in Computer Aided Drafting and Design in 2001 and began teaching in the CADD program in 2009.


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Rodney Taylor

Rodney Taylor

Management Coordinator Prevost, a division of Volvo Group; Adjunct Faculty Diesel Maintenance Technician Program
“The labs I worked in at Dallas College had all of the latest equipment, and that’s what I learned on. I think that my advanced training is part of what helped me move up the career ladder; I just knew a lot more than most of my peers because of my training.”
Automotive Technology
Anthony Eaton

Anthony Eaton

Auto/Diesel Instructor Lincoln College of Technology
“My experience in both the Diesel and Automotive Tech programs was excellent. I got such a good background of updated technology in school, which I later found out put me ahead in the industry.”
Automotive Technology - Diesel and Heavy Equipment
Erick Flores-Ortega

Erick Flores-Ortega

CADD Student and STEM Ambassador
“Within different clubs like STEM, you find opportunities that could lead to a job or just a friendly face to talk about shared experiences. Having that community helps.”
Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)

Mike Walker

Supervisor of Mechanical Design Continental Electronics Corp.
“You should never stop learning in today’s world. If you do, you get left behind like the dinosaurs. Once you have knowledge, though, no one can take it away from you. The most important thing I learned is how to have the tools you need in today’s workforce.”
Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)
Marques Washington
Marques G. Washington
CADD Program Coordinator and Faculty
Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD)
School of Manufacturing and Industrial Technology
Updated June 12, 2026