“This program is part of our outreach with the SUNY North Country Consortium,” said SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy. “As a premiere college for soldiers, veterans, and their families, we seek to offer our in-demand academic programs where they will be utilized the best. In this case, we’ll bring our class to Fort Drum, rather then having the soldiers come to us.”

SUNY Canton powersports performance and repair student Stephen A. Weston of Potsdam helps Instructor Mark R. Hill load Polaris snowmobiles, motorcycles, and four-wheelers destined for Fort Drum.

The three-credit seven-week powersports service course (MSPT101) began at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, at the Outdoor and Recreation Facility on the post. Mark R. Hill, the Powersports program instructor, said it was offered in a condensed version to minimize the time commitment for soldiers.

“We’ll be bringing approximately $50,000 worth of snowmobiles, motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles – all donated by Polaris Industries – to Fort Drum for our newest students to work with during the course,” Hill said. “This is one of the first courses that we offer in the one-year program. Students find it very personally and professionally rewarding.”

SUNY Canton partners Polaris to provide certification training at the main campus, allowing students access to the latest Polaris line to complete their course requirements. Students diagnose, troubleshoot, repair and even rebuild the recreational vehicles during the one-year program.

At SUNY Canton, powersports performance and repair is a career-driven one-year certificate program. The program is part of the College’s ladder curriculum, allowing students to transfer into associate degree programs, including automotive technology, or a bachelor’s degree program that best fits each individual student’s interest.

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