Cuesta student to represent USA at international competition
Cuesta College student Michael Mullen will represent the United States in Automobile Technology. Photo courtesy of Cuesta College.
– Cuesta College student Michael Mullen will represent the United States in Automobile Technology during the biennial World Skills Competition in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Mullen is the only Californian to compete as one of 19 members of the Skills USA World Team in the 43rd international event, being held August 11-16.
“It means a lot to me to be chosen to represent the United States in an international competition,” Mullen said. “Just to make it this far and to be selected is extremely gratifying. I’m honored to be able to represent my country and Cuesta College at World Skills.”
The San Luis Obispo native won the right to compete at the international competition by earning the high-school gold medal while a student at San Luis Obispo High School, and later nabbed a college/postsecondary silver medal in the Automotive Service Technology competition at the Skills USA Championships as a Cuesta College student. In addition, Mullen won a silver medal at the World Skills Americas 2014 competition in Bogota, Columbia.
In the World Skills Automobile Technology contest, competitors must show knowledge of electrical systems construction and testing, brake and stability control systems, suspension and steering systems, engine mechanical repair, manual and automatic transmissions, diesel systems, engine management, diagnostics, electrical harnesses on modern cars, and where to search for information in a workshop manual to interpret diagnostic trouble codes.
“I have watched as Michael competes, and wins, in almost everything he participates in,” said John Stokes, Cuesta College’s division chair of engineering and technology. “There is very little that is outside of the realm of possibility that Michael could accomplish. I am confident he will do well at the World Skills Competition.”
This is the second time Cuesta College will send one of its students to compete at World Skills. In 2011, Cuesta student Daniel Lehmkuhl competed in automobile technology at in London. Cuesta College has also been on the Skills USA national podium for the past nine years.
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