Tunxis Community College announced Tracy Ariel has joined the college as executive director of Tunxis@Bristol, to help lead the satellite location and expand training and educational programs with industry partners, manufacturers, and the community.

In her new role, Ariel will be responsible for the administration of the satellite location, working with staff to achieve Tunxis@Bristol’s strategic goals. In collaboration with the director of Business & Industry Services at the Bristol satellite location, she will help direct the development of programs that assist area employers in training their workforce, and work with area high schools to expand programs that create college connections. Her new position is effective Feb. 16.

“We are excited to have Tracy on board,” said Dr. James Lombella, President of Asnuntuck Community College and Interim President of Tunxis Community College. “I am committed to the growth and expansion of our Bristol satellite location, as well as current and new manufacturing partners in the greater Farmington/Bristol area, and have made that a key objective for Tracy as she assumes her new role,” he continued. “We are dedicated to training the highly-skilled workforce these companies need now and in the future to grow their business.”

Ariel most recently served as director of Advanced Manufacturing Centers at the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system office. During her tenure, she oversaw development and launch of a marketing campaign funded by a grant from the Connecticut Advanced Manufacturing Initiative (CAMI), which resulted in greater awareness of advanced manufacturing programs and enrollment increases in CSCU’s Advanced Manufacturing Centers statewide. She also coordinated apprenticeship programs, served as coordinator of CSCU’s Early College Opportunities programs, represented CSCU in matters related to the National Institute for Metalworking Skills, and acted as the CSCU interface with Tooling U, an organization that delivers competency-based learning and development solutions to the manufacturing sector.

She also represented CSCU on several industry-related boards including the National Board of Directors for the National Association of Metalworking Skills, the National Association of Manufacturers Manufacturing Institute, Congresswoman Esty’s CT STEM committee, Sen. Chris Murphy’s Manufacturing Committee, and as chair of the Connecticut Statewide Advanced Manufacturing Advisory Committee.

Ariel brings over 20 years of experience in business management to her position, and holds a master’s degree in business from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Hartford. She resides in North Granby.

Tunxis@Bristol first opened its doors at 430 North Main Street, Bristol, in December 2000, a result of collaboration among the college, city of Bristol and businesses which has enabled Tunxis to expand educational and training opportunities and serve the community in new ways. The satellite offers a broad array of programs and courses for professional development and personal enrichment, including an industry-focused advanced manufacturing curriculum designed to meet Bristol area and Connecticut manufacturers’ demand for a highly-skilled manufacturing workforce. Over 6,000 students enroll in credit and continuing education programs at Tunxis each semester.

For more information on Tunxis@Bristol and its programs, call 860.314.4700, or visit tunxis.edu.