CTE Month: From music to aerospace and transportation, Josh Coleman loves his not-so-usual journey
Story by Misty Bouse. Photos by James Hill.
Josh Coleman in his element — aviation hangar at Rock Creek Campus.
When Josh Coleman was younger, he envisioned a career as a professional musician and artist. Today, Coleman isn’t topping the music charts, but he has found success in a different kind of leadership.
As the program dean of Aerospace and Transportation Technology at Portland Community College, he has spent the past five years shaping career technical education (CTE) at the Rock Creek Campus. His journey from music to education was honed by a strong work ethic, instilled by his family and community.
“I grew up in a deeply musical family—music was our passion and our purpose,” Coleman said. “My mother and father were pastors at our church and are both fantastic singers. My siblings and I inherited their musical gifts, and we sang in the choir at every service. If my dad traveled to minister, we were there with him—singing and supporting his efforts.
It’s CTE Month!
Community colleges like PCC are committed to filling high-demand jobs in their communities with the skills and training necessary for success in industries. Community colleges are strong partners to local business and industry, utilizing workforce professionals to guide programs through advisory committees.
“Singing, like other artistic expressions, played a huge role in shaping our character,” he continued. “Rehearsals were intense, requiring focus and discipline, but we embraced the process, always hoping our hard work would provide hope and strength to our community.”
That dedication earned Coleman a vocal music scholarship to Langston University, Oklahoma’s only historically Black college, where he studied sociology.
“Singing was my introduction to serving a purpose greater than myself, and without realizing it, I carried that same perspective into my professional career,” he said.
Coleman later earned a master’s degree in Leadership from the University of Oklahoma, further equipping him to navigate the complex world of workforce development related to transportation-related fields like aviation, diesel service, aviation maintenance, dealer service and auto body repair.
“The future of transportation is bright and filled with opportunities,” Coleman said. “As the industry adapts to new technologies to meet environmental goals and improve efficiency, technical training programs will play a critical role in developing curricula that support these advancements.”
For students like pilots, aviation mechanics and diesel service technicians entering the field, the outlook is promising.
“Across all transportation programs, we see an average median wage of $41.13 per hour, with a projected 7% growth over the next decade,” he said.
Auto collision repair graduate Taylor Berglund.
This demand has driven a surge in enrollment. Coleman said that PCC’s programs are expanding to accommodate student interest, adding new cohorts, and launching specialized training to meet industry needs. This has led to his programs exceeding pre-pandemic enrollment numbers.
Beyond student enrollment, technological advancements are reshaping industry partnerships.
“Companies are turning to CTE programs to help develop training that keeps their workforce ahead of the curve,” Coleman said. “This collaboration doesn’t just upskill current employees—it attracts new students to our programs as well.”
For Coleman, PCC’s strength lies in its people. He said that he is inspired by the dedication of the college’s instructors and their commitment to building training opportunities that benefit students.
“There’s a special synergy here—a collective effort between our faculty, students, and industry partners that makes this place unique,” he said.
PCC aviation maintenance alum Kayler Randall.
As a program dean, his role is both rewarding and complex. Coleman coordinates instructional needs, collaborates with the administrative team, and engages with industry and community partners—all while keeping a sector-wide perspective.
“Every day, I work to ensure our programs align with industry demands while creating the best possible learning environment for students,” he explained. “But I also love helping others see how even small wins contribute to meaningful progress. It’s that collective effort that drives real change.”
For more information on PCC’s Construction, Manufacturing Tech, and Transportation options, visit the academic pathway webpage.