The United States Department of Defense (DoD) STARBASE is a premier educational program, sponsored by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. In Connecticut, STARBASE has two sites, both supported by the Connecticut National Guard; one located at the Windsor Locks Readiness Center and the other at NVCC. 

The first tour stop was inside Technology Hall where NVCC’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center (AMTC) is housed. Attendees received an overview of the AMTC’s history, academic programs, and mission by Joseph R. DeFeo, Program Director for the AMTC. Attendees were able to see AMTC students in action, demonstrating the skills they’ve acquired operating machines such as the CNC and grinders.

"It was a pleasure meeting with Major General Evon and his staff last week to host a tour of the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center. I would be proud to welcome members of Connecticut’s National Guard to enroll in our training program," said DeFeo.

The tour continued on to Founders Hall which was opened in 2017 and houses NVCC’s Allied Health programs such as nursing, radiologic technology, respiratory care, and physical therapy along with being the base for NVCC’s non-credit lifelong learning workforce education and safety programs. Participants were able to see the state-of-the-art facilities such as the ambulance simulation lab for its EMT program, the equipment used in its radiology lab, smart classrooms, and many of the other simulation laboratories that help prepare students for working in the allied health field.