MARIETTA, OHIO — For Washington Technical College (WTC) alumnus Terry Reiter, a career that began in manufacturing eventually led him back to the classroom, where he now helps the next generation discover their own interests in STEM and technical education.
Reiter’s path to WTC began during his senior year of high school. While he initially planned to attend a four-year college and become a teacher, his family’s circumstances led him to consider a different path. His father was preparing for retirement, and Reiter wanted to avoid placing a financial burden on his family.
With his father and brother, a member of the WTC Class of 1974, both working in manufacturing, Reiter saw an opportunity in the field. Although manufacturing jobs were limited in the late 1970s and early 1980s, he knew he needed education beyond a high school diploma to pursue a career in the industry.
WTC, now Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO), provided the opportunity he was looking for. “The college was close to home and very affordable. It was exactly what I was looking for,” said Reiter. He enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program, inspired in part by his longtime interest in understanding how things work and his brother’s experience in the program.
As a student, Reiter found a learning environment that combined strong instruction with hands-on experience. He particularly remembers the impact of his math and physics courses. “Mr. Lyon’s math and physics classes made me absolutely fall in love with math, especially technical math,” Reiter said.
The hands-on learning and close-knit campus environment also left a lasting impression on Reiter. “Overall, my time at the college was a wonderful experience,” Reiter said. “I had great instructors and was especially impressed by the amount of hands-on learning I received. I also formed friendships at the college that have lasted throughout my life.”
After graduating from WTC, Reiter began building a 23-year career in manufacturing. He started as a paint technician at Kardex Systems before transitioning into industrial engineering. He later joined Ames Plant 2 as a quality control technician, a role that sparked a lasting passion for quality and set the stage for the next chapter of his career.
Much of his manufacturing career was spent at Dana/Glacier Vandervell in Caldwell, a manufacturer of bearings and bushings for a variety of industries, particularly automotive. Reiter advanced from engineer to design and quality manager, developing expertise that would shape his career for years to come.
Reiter continued to build his expertise in quality, becoming an ASQC Certified Quality Engineer in 1990 and later earning his Six Sigma Black Belt. He also completed his bachelor’s degree through Glenville State while attending Parkersburg Community College’s night school program.
In late 2005, Reiter returned to school with a goal that brought his career journey back to its roots: education. After years of building experience in manufacturing and quality, he wanted to pay it forward by sharing what he had learned with the next generation.
He earned a master’s degree in education from Ohio University and began his teaching career at Barlow-Vincent Elementary as an eighth-grade math and algebra teacher. He now serves as a Career Technical Teacher at Warren Middle and High School, where he teaches STEM, CAD, mechanical and electrical engineering fundamentals, and College Credit Plus (CCP) engineering courses through WSCO. Reiter also serves as an adjunct instructor through WSCO, continuing his connection to the College that helped launch his professional journey.
Throughout his career, Reiter has earned numerous professional distinctions, including the Hanson Industries Young Manager Award, ASQC Certified Quality Engineer and Certified Six Sigma Black Belt credentials, and certifications to teach FANUC robotics, Allen-Bradley PLCs, SolidWorks and Onshape. He was also nominated for State Teacher of the Year.
While those accomplishments reflect his professional growth, Reiter says some of the achievements he values most are much more personal. For him, success is measured not only by the credentials he has earned, but also by the people he has met, the family he has built and the students he has helped discover their own passions. “The two greatest accomplishments are meeting my wife, who is a Washington State alumnus, and seeing students who have found their passions, raising a family, and making a difference,” he said.
Reiter’s journey demonstrates how a WSCO education can serve as a foundation for a career that continues to evolve. What began with an associate degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology led to decades of success in manufacturing, advanced education, and ultimately a career helping students discover their own passions in STEM and technical education.
“Although my pathway to my current career is far from ordinary, if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing,” Reiter said. “The experiences I gained and the associate degree I earned at Washington State provided a strong foundation and gave me the launching pad I needed to discover the best version of myself.”
