Nai Carr
Nai Carr of Tobyhanna, Pa., is making his dreams come true in SUNY Canton’s Automotive program.
“I chose SUNY Canton because I wanted to study something I love,” Nai said. “For me, Automotive Technology isn’t just a stepping stone to a career - it’s about fulfilling my dreams of working with and building cars in the future.”
He said that his passion for building, racing, and fixing cars developed unexpectedly during the pandemic while he was still residing in his town near Mt. Pocono. At the same time, his previous university closed and forced him to rethink his future. “Instead of seeing it as a setback, I took it as an opportunity to align my career with my true interests,” he said.
Nai completed a Sport Management degree and competed as a swimmer at the recently shuttered Medaille University. He said giving up on his athletic career was difficult. “Ultimately, I made the right choice in coming to SUNY Canton, where I could pursue my true passion,” he said.
He said that the Automotive Technology program has a tight-knit community with small classes, and he enjoys the camaraderie he shares with his classmates. His favorite class is the Hybrids and EVs course, which he said is paving the way for the next generation of automotive professionals.
Nai graduates in May 2025 and plans to continue his education while working as a technician. “My long-term goal is to have my own garage,” he said. “A personal space where I can experiment, build, and restore cars.”