Welding instructor Martha Martin receives American Welding Society Educator Scholarship

NORTH CANTON, Ohio, Aug. 10, 2026 – Martha Martin, welding instructor at Stark State College Akron, set a goal years ago to earn her Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) license. Now, thanks to a $3,500 Educator Scholarship from the American Welding Society, her goal will become a reality.

Martin received the District 10 Educator Scholarship and the Bechtel Group Foundation Educator Scholarship as part of the larger AWS award. The funds will help cover the expenses of what can be a costly certification.

“It’s incredibly gratifying to know someone out there saw the potential in me,” said Martin. “Our goal at Stark State is to certify students in multiple welding processes in accordance with the D1.1 and API standards. Having my CWI license makes me qualified at the next level to bring the most up-to-date industry standards and quality to our students.”

Stark State’s welding program includes two state-of-the-art Welding and Joining Centers in North Canton and Akron, where students hone their skills on various metals using the latest welding equipment.

“We have robotics and hand welding, as well as ironworkers, shears, lathes, plasma cutters and more,” explained Martin. “We’re training our students in how to be more than just welders, and our teachers are amazing. We have such a diverse group of instructors. I’m always impressed with how well our students do when they go out into the field and start working.”