Central Texas College Faculty Earn 3D Printing Certification

Two educators from the college successfully completed national training to become certified FDM 3D printing instructors.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Financial Aid

Central Texas College Faculty Earn 3D Printing Certification

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Two Central Texas College faculty members have officially earned Stratasys FDM Certification for Education trainer credentials. This achievement places the college among a select group of institutions in Texas with these specialized trainers.

Why it matters

Securing these professional credentials allows the college to expand its technical capabilities in additive manufacturing. It ensures that students in Killeen have access to instructors trained directly by industry leaders at Stratasys.

Two faculty members earned the Stratasys FDM Certification for Education after completing intensive training. The certification confirms their qualifications to teach industry-standard additive manufacturing processes.

The players

Sam Jackson

He serves as the engineering, drafting and design program coordinator at Central Texas College.

Sandra Duarte

She is a professor of advanced manufacturing and robotics at Central Texas College.

Central Texas College

This educational institution is based in Killeen, Texas, and focuses on technical and vocational programs.

Stratasys

This company is a global leader in additive manufacturing and 3D printing technology.

The details

Sam Jackson, the program coordinator for engineering, drafting and design, and advanced manufacturing professor Sandra Duarte completed the required coursework at Stratasys headquarters. Their new status as trainers marks a significant addition to the technical expertise available at the college.

October 2026: The faculty members earned their national 3D printing trainer certifications.

Culture Shift

Educational institutions are increasingly aligning their technical training with specific industry certification standards like the Stratasys FDM ecosystem. This move reflects a broader societal shift toward prioritizing industry-validated skills within vocational and higher education.

Students at Central Texas College can expect updated coursework that reflects modern, industry-standard 3D printing methods. This development provides local learners with more competitive technical skills for the advanced manufacturing workforce.

The takeaway

Professional certifications like these ensure that academic training keeps pace with rapid technological advancements in manufacturing. Readers interested in technical careers should look for programs that integrate these industry-recognized credentials to boost their marketability.