All roads lead back to Morrisville: Impressive number of automotive alumni return to the classroom to mentor and teach the next generation of students

Matt Polak ’06, ’07, assistant professor of automotive technology, first discovered SUNY Morrisville’s Automotive Department while playing junior hockey in Midland, Michigan. He enrolled in the automotive program during a highly successful era for its hockey team in the National Junior College Athletic Association, contributing to a couple of the team’s national titles.

“I knew when I was a student that eventually I wanted to go back and teach,” Polak said. 

After spending a decade in the industry as a technician, service writer and service manager, he returned to Morrisville to fulfill that dream. His journey reflects a strong tradition within the program — one that resonates with students.

“You have a group of people who learned at Morrisville, went out and applied that knowledge successfully, and built careers from it,” said automotive technology student Liam Kosinski. “Now, they’re using that experience to give us real-life scenarios and examples that help us truly understand the field.”

This cycle of learning, experience and returning to teach is a hallmark of excellence in the Automotive Department.

For Dan Akers ’90, ’13, a second-generation Morrisville student, that excellence is reflected in mentoring and giving back. When the opportunity to return as an instructor arose in 2007, he didn’t need much convincing. 

Before joining SUNY Morrisville, Akers spent 17 years working in dealerships, gaining invaluable industry experience. Now, as the head of the college’s Ford ASSET program, he brings that expertise into the classroom.

“I believe a good automotive educator not only holds the degrees, but also has real shop experience to back up the lessons,” Akers said.

Miller was driven by the hands-on learning approach that has long set SUNY Morrisville programs apart. 

“I came back to Morrisville as an instructor because it gave me a great start in my career,” he said. “I wanted to be part of that ongoing legacy.” 

That hands-on approach continues to shape students’ experiences today.

“I love that we have a lab every day in the ASSET program,” Betsinger said. “Because we’re doing hands-on work daily, we don’t forget what we’ve learned.”

“For me, a great thing about the auto programs is how faculty teach,” said Michael Wegener, of Massachusetts, a student in the automotive technology associate degree program. “It’s a very hands-on career and they demonstrate and go in depth. They teach so enthusiastically like they really want to be here.” 

This emphasis on practical learning has been key to the automotive program’s growth, with faculty playing a pivotal role in its transformation.

Today, the college offers three associate degrees: automotive technology; automotive technology - Ford ASSET; and auto body technology. Graduates can continue their education through the Bachelor of Technology degree in automotive technology or the Bachelor of Business Administration degree in automotive management.

For many students, their connection to SUNY Morrisville begins long before they step on campus.

“I was at a BOCES event watching a presentation when a student approached me, repeatedly expressing his gratitude for a visit he had two years earlier as a high school sophomore,” said Alex Graf ’16, ’18, an instructional support associate in auto body technology. “Now he’s a freshman at Morrisville.”

Graf earned his associate degree in auto body technology and a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship & small business management, both from Morrisville, before going on to earn a master’s degree from SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

His diverse background, which includes vintage Volkswagen restoration and early 1900s Cadillac restoration, brings a unique perspective to the classroom.

“Being able to come back and teach what I once learned has been an incredible experience,” Graf said.

That sense of pride and connection to SUNY Morrisville is something Stephen Mann ’13, ’18 knows well. 

“I was walking through on my admissions tour and the Factory Five giveaway car for the Syracuse Nationals was being built,” Mann recalled. “Seeing students work on a project like that, in those great facilities, really sold me on the college.”

Morrisville’s hands-on approach struck a chord with Nathanel Alvarez, an automotive technology - Ford ASSET student from Goshen, New York. Alvarez entered the program with little knowledge of automobiles, but knew that the skills he would gain would ensure he was job-ready. 

Thanks to multiple internships, he already has a job lined up and is well on his way to his goal of becoming a master technician. “The job security that comes with this is unmatched,” Alvarez said.

His success is a testament to the college’s strong record of equipping students with skills that consistently secure them positions with employers actively seeking Morrisville-trained professionals.

“Every one I know has walked out of Morrisville with a job,” said Anthony Traspaso, an automotive student from Canastota, New York. “All of the teachers have connections they have already established and that helps us get internships and jobs.”

“Mr. Akers has so much experience under his belt,” Alvarez said. “He treats us like family and has connections to every dealership in New York State to get us internships.”

This kind of mentorship and support is just one example of the strong relationships that faculty build with students, which endure long beyond the classroom. 

“If you have any questions, it doesn’t matter when or where, he will always help,” Betsinger said of Akers. “He will always give you a plan to get you through it.”

This dedication to student support is a trademark of faculty who are deeply committed to their students’ success. 

“Seeing students graduate and build successful careers — knowing we played a role in their development — is incredibly rewarding,” Akers said. “I want students to have that same life-changing experience I had.” 

“I want to be that same positive and professional influence for the next generation of students, just as faculty were for me when I was starting out,” Mann said. 

Returning is more than just a homecoming for these alumni — it’s a testament to the program’s lasting impact, a bridge between past and future and a commitment to driving education forward.

“At the end of the day, I teach because I enjoy the enthusiasm from my students and seeing their transformation from their first day on campus until they walk at graduation,” Polak said. “I am honored to now serve and teach at what I believe is the best automotive technology school in the country.”

Below is a list of the automotive alumni who returned to teach: