CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Parkland College is hitting the road this fall with a new mobile education unit designed to bring hands-on career exploration directly to students and communities across District 505. The 36-foot-long vehicle, dubbed the Cobra Pathfinder, will serve as a traveling showcase of career and technical education opportunities.

Equipped with up to six portable, interactive carts, the Pathfinder offers hands-on equipment for a wide range of fields including automotive, welding, health professions, and agriculture. The unit is part of a broader effort to expand career awareness and access for middle and high school students throughout the region.

“The Cobra Pathfinder will further enhance the lives and education of our students, staff, faculty, and members of District 505,” said Parkland College President Pamela Lau. “Together, through our new Career and Community Engagement department, we are building a better future. I look forward to the Cobra Pathfinder’s success in the years to come.”

The vision for a mobile education unit began taking shape in Spring 2024 when Parkland received the Illinois Community College Board’s Taking Back the Trades grant, enabling the college to turn concept into reality. The initiative is part of a growing effort to introduce younger students—particularly those in grades 6 through 12—to potential post-secondary pathways.

“For many years, Parkland College, along with our district high schools, have been seeking effective ways to introduce students and their families to the variety of career opportunities available after high school,” said Nancy Sutton, Vice President for Academic Services. “This priority led to the development of the Career and Community Engagement department and planning for both a Career Engagement Room on campus and this mobile career engagement unit.”

In addition to career exploration, the Cobra Pathfinder will play a role in student recruitment, bringing enrollment services directly to community events and partner schools.

Cindy Smith, Director of Career and Community Engagement, emphasized the long-term planning that went into the initiative. “This project has been more than a year in the making, and I’m excited to finally see it come to life,” Smith said. “I’m especially excited to welcome the first students and community members to engage with the Pathfinder. I hope they find the experience fun, educational, and eye-opening.”

Smith added that Parkland’s approach will be “thoughtful and strategic,” ensuring each stop delivers an engaging and informative experience that inspires students to consider new career and academic opportunities.

Learn more about the Cobra Pathfinder and upcoming stops at parkland.edu/pce or by contacting pce@parkland.edu.