“One of the most rewarding parts of teaching is hearing from graduates about how the education they received helped them build successful careers,” Conway says
San Diego—Mike Conway, department chair of Automotive, Transportation and CDL Technologies at Stark State College in North Canton, Ohio, was named the 2026 Mitchell 1 Educator of the Year.
He was honored during a special recognition ceremony at the recent Automotive Educators Conference (AEC), in Sacramento, California.
“Mike Conway’s career experience and reputation as an exceptional instructor and administrator make him a deserving recipient of this year’s Mitchell 1 Educator of the Year award,” said Cami Hermann, marketing director for Mitchell 1. “We are proud to recognize Mike’s commitment to developing the next generation of skilled automotive professionals and congratulate him on this well-earned achievement.”
Each year, Mitchell 1 honors one of the nation’s top educators for their dedication to excellence in the automotive repair industry. As the 2026 recipient, Conway will receive a complimentary one-year subscription to Mitchell 1’s ProDemand auto repair information software, a one-year membership to the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT), a $500 cash award and a $200 Snap-on gift card.
Conway has dedicated 22 years to education. Although his current role as department chair focuses primarily on administrative tasks, he continues to teach and hopes to eventually return to the classroom full time. He holds National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications A1-A9, G1 and L1, and has completed training programs with General Motors and Toyota.
“I enjoy working with students and seeing their knowledge, skills and confidence grow throughout the program,” said Conway. “One of the most rewarding parts of teaching is hearing from graduates about how the education they received helped them build successful careers. Technical programs such as ours create tremendous opportunities, and it is gratifying to see former students succeed in the industry.”
Outside of work, Conway enjoys watching motor sports with his two sons and camping with his daughter. He also volunteers at a church campground, where he repairs equipment and performs general maintenance around the property.
In addition, he volunteers with the Canton Carnival of Wheels, an annual car show fundraiser that supports scholarships for Stark State College automotive students.
The Mitchell 1 Educator of the Year award selection criteria requires that the recipient excel in all ASE automotive tests, including A1 – A8 (Engine Repair, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle, Manual Drive Train and Axles, Suspension and Steering, Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Heating and Air Conditioning, Engine Performance), as well as the L1 (Advanced Engine Performance Exam).
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