The award was bestowed for her work to help promote and provide continuing education and training for the spring industry. Lutkus has helped NESMA for several years in administering the organization’s “Introduction to Coiling” and “Introduction to Fourslide” training courses at Naugatuck Valley, which has included working through logistics such as finding locations and instructors, and making sure requirements are met so that students can utilize incumbent employee training funds.  

Lutkus has worked at Naugatuck Valley Community College (NVCC) for over nine years, starting as a coordinator in Continuing Education and Workforce Development, before her appointment as director of advanced manufacturing technology and welding, where she oversees the college’s credit and noncredit manufacturing programs and classes.  

“During the pandemic, we ultimately had to cancel several of the courses,” said Al Mangels, chief technical advisor for Lee Spring Company in Bristol and chair of NESMA’s Technical Committee. “Yet throughout, Sharon remained steadfast in her efforts, where others may have given up, and she remains committed to NESMA and to helping us with our training efforts still today.” 

Lutkus, who resides in Watertown, has been active with NESMA as part of its Technical Committee for the past seven years.  

NVCC is among the 12 Connecticut community colleges currently accepting students for spring semester, which begins January 20. For more information, visit ct.edu/admission

With campuses in Waterbury and Danbury, NVCC serves more than 4,000 credit students each semester, offering more than 80 associate degrees and certificates, including eight associate degrees and certificates with manufacturing emphases.  

About CT State  

The 12 community colleges in Connecticut are merging in 2023 to become CT State Community College, one of the largest community colleges in the country and largest in New England, dedicated to quality, access and affordability. CT State students will be able to apply once and take classes at any campus. Locations include Asnuntuck (Enfield), Capital (Hartford), Gateway (New Haven and North Haven), Housatonic (Bridgeport), Manchester, Middlesex (Middletown & Meriden), Naugatuck Valley (Waterbury and Danbury), Northwestern (Winsted), Norwalk, Quinebaug Valley (Danielson and Willimantic), Three Rivers (Norwich), and Tunxis (Farmington). Find out more at www.ctstate.edu/becoming.