Aubri Hanson Named Festo Didactic’s Instructor of the Year
Festo Didactic is proud to announce Aubri Hanson as the recipient of the 2025 Instructor of the Year Award. Ms. Hanson, the Applied Technology Division Director and Mechatronics Instructor at Enterprise State Community College (ESCC) in Ozark, Alabama has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to technical education and workforce development. Hanson’s dedication to student success and her commitment to in-demand job training make her an exemplary choice for the award.
Upon receiving the Instructor of the Year Award, Ms. Hanson said, “I am honored to have been selected for this award out of all the fantastic technology instructors that NC3 and Festo work with in North America. I have a wonderful network of family, friends, administrators, co-workers, and colleagues from other institutions and industry that have all pitched in to help propel myself and this program to the current level of success. I am excited for what the future holds, as we continue to grow and develop the future of manufacturing education in our community, our state, and our nation”.
Hanson’s career began with studying physics, a path she chose after starting college as an electronics engineering major. She then worked as an engineer for NASA, conducting engine testing at Stennis, and for Radiance Technologies, where she focused on radiation detection. Eventually, she transitioned into education, bringing her industry experience to the classroom.
At ESCC, Hanson’s mechatronics program has grown from 12 students and one instructor in 2019 to over 90 students and six full-time instructors, along with two part-time employees. The program’s success is attributed to its student-centric approach, which includes flexible scheduling and competency-based training. This model allows students, including those with challenging schedules like single parents or full-time employees, to progress at their own pace. This approach fosters independent, problem-solving students who work collaboratively, preparing them for the realities of the workforce.
Hanson is a certified NC3 Master Instructor and has integrated NC3 certifications into ESCC’s mechatronics curriculum. The program offers 52 certifications, 51 of which Hanson holds herself, including 19 from Festo. With her guidance, ESCC has seamlessly integrated industry certifications into its mechatronics curriculum, ensuring students develop skills that are highly valued and directly applicable in the manufacturing sector.
The NC3 model is valued for being industry-based and for its flexible, targeted approach, which allows the college to focus on specific skills needed by local employers. A major advantage of NC3 is that the certifications are offered at no cost to the students, which is especially important for the many students in the rural Alabama area who rely on financial aid. The college pays for the membership, and students can take the certification exams for free.
Hanson credits Chris Crawford, a Festo distributor, for introducing her to NC3 and Festo. She chose Festo’s education and training systems because of its realistic, hands-on design, which allows students to take apart, inspect, and rewire components, mirroring real-world industry applications.
Beyond student education, Ms. Hanson plays a vital role in equipping other educators through NC3 Train-the-Trainer (TTT) workshops. The workshops provide invaluable professional development, arming instructors with innovative Industry 4.0 teaching strategies to effectively deliver courses to their students.
Under Hanson’s leadership, the ESCC Mechatronics Program has a nearly 100% job placement rate for graduates who either find local employment or transfer to a university. Approximately 40% of the program’s students are high schoolers participating in dual enrollment, with some completing their associate’s degree before their high school diploma. The program also serves the community by providing training and certifications to individuals in drug rehabilitation facilities and the corrections department, helping them gain valuable skills for a new start. Hanson shared that a former participant of the program was offered a job making $10 more per hour than what he applied for because his resume included NC3 certifications.
Hanson also helps facilitate strong partnerships with local industry, including companies like Rex Lumber, Mayer Electric, and Kimber America. These companies offer scholarships, recruit students, and even use the college’s facility for their own professional development training, which students are allowed to attend for free. The success of the program has led to companies contacting the ESCC directly to get involved.
Aubri Hanson’s recognition as Instructor of the Year is a testament to the shared vision of Festo Didactic and educators who are committed to equipping the next generation with the skills needed for the workforce. Aubri’s dedication to building strong industry partnerships, developing a flexible and competency-based curriculum, and embracing the value of industry-recognized certifications like those from NC3, directly aligns with Festo Didactic’s mission to shape the future of skilled labor and contribute to regional economic growth.
Festo congratulates Aubri Hanson on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates her commitment to excellence in technical education.