ISU College of Technology Claims Back-to-Back National Championships at SkillsUSA

At the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, held June 23–27 in Atlanta, Georgia, ISU competitors earned two gold medals, two bronze medals, and multiple top-15 national finishes.

One of those top honors went to Owen Fujii, who took gold in Electronics Technology. A student in the Robotics and Communications Systems Engineering Technology program, Fujii credited his preparation at ISU for giving him the edge.

“Atlanta was an amazing experience that let me gauge my skills against other top competitors,” said Fujii. “With all that I have learned in the Robotics program, I felt confident that my skills would come out on top when I was at my workstation. Because to me, it felt that I was just doing the same tasks that I do every day in the program. Such confidence was proof of the amazing skills taught throughout the program, and I was honored to take the top step as a testament of the program's excellence.”

Fujii’s gold marked the second year in a row ISU has won the national title in Electronics Technology, showcasing both student talent and the program’s consistent excellence.

Another gold medal went to Bryson Hatch, a diesel technology student, who excelled in one of the competition’s most rigorous categories. Hatch demonstrated his mastery of diagnostics, engine systems, and precision measurement—skills built through real-world, hands-on experience in ISU’s state-of-the-art diesel labs.

In Aviation Maintenance Technology, Nolan Bitners earned bronze in Aircraft Technology, a category that demands accuracy, speed, and a commitment to safety. Andrew Keller, also from the Robotics program, brought home a bronze medal in Related Technical Math, reinforcing the program’s strong academic foundation.

Two other students landed impressive top-15 finishes in transportation-related events. Isabelle Vialpondo-Hutton placed eighth in Collision Damage Analysis, while Victoria Alexander finished eleventh in Automotive Refinishing Technology—strong performances in two highly competitive national fields.

Faculty took pride in their students’ dedication and performance on the national stage. Brody Holyoak, instructor in the Robotics program, praised their focus and preparation.

“I couldn't be more proud of my guys,” said Holyoak. “It took a lot of work and a lot of effort to compete on the national scale like they did. It is a testament to our program on how well our students did. They were able to take the processes they learned in the program to go through and dominate at the Nationals event.”

Jerry Anhorn, dean of the College of Technology, said these results highlight how well ISU prepares students for success in today’s workforce.

“This is a powerful testament to what we do at ISU’s College of Technology and how well we prepare our students for the industries they’re entering,” said Anhorn. “We believe we provide some of the best technical education in the country, and our students just proved that on a national stage. When students compete at SkillsUSA, they’re tested under pressure by real industry expectations. Their success demonstrates the exceptional quality of our programs, our faculty, and the hands-on learning that sets us apart.”

SkillsUSA is a national organization serving more than 380,000 students and instructors in career and technical education. Its annual national championships bring together top students from across the U.S. to compete in industry-evaluated, real-world skill events.

At Idaho State University’s College of Technology, students train in high-demand fields such as aviation, robotics, electronics, and transportation. Through hands-on labs, industry partnerships, and expert instruction, they graduate with the skills employers need—and the confidence to perform.