Page 12 - World of Welding Summer 2022

Aiming High in Welding Education

When Mazalenna Rhodes aka “Maz” came to Hobart Institute of Welding
Technology in September 2019 to get some training in Shielded Metal
Arc Welding she had no idea that nearly three years later she would
be completing all the courses required for a diploma in the Structural
Welding Program.
Maz is active duty in the United States Air Force stationed at
Spangdahlen Air Base in Germany. She is an instructor for the Air Force
Forces Transportation Training Center – Europe (AFFTTC-E) teaching Mig,
Stick and Tig welding. She began as a vehicle mechanic and worked in
the body shop section at multiple bases where she started welding with
the Mig (GMAW) process. She was picked up for the welding instructor
position in 2019. She is the first female welding instructor the AFFTTC-E
has had and the first female certified vehicle maintenance instructor the
Air Force has had in Europe.

Maz has been attending HIWT for about 6 weeks per year taking
courses in the Structural Welding Program. These courses serve as the
professional development courses as required for an instructor. “These
courses throughout the program have advanced my welding skills in all
three processes and have changed the way I teach the welding courses I
instruct,” states Maz.
In addition to obtaining a diploma in the Structural Welding Program, Maz
holds a master’s degree in Entrepreneurship through
American Military University, a bachelor’s degree in
Interdisciplinary Studies – Education from Western
Governors University, and associate degrees in both
Vehicle Maintenance and Instructor of Technology from
the Community College of the Air Force.
She is currently the 52nd Fighter Wings nominee for
the Society of Women Engineers Award: Advocating for
Women in Engineering and has been a volunteer in the
Spangdahlem Girl Scouts Organization for four years
helping to inspire young girls to following their dreams
and realize the impact they can make on the world.
In her spare time, Maz enjoys hiking and traveling with
her husband and dog, woodworking and wood burning,
and baking.

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