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Fixing cars practically runs in Claire and Emma Uhler’s blood. They’ve spent their whole lives in shops and around project vehicles, so it only made sense that they both attended Southeast Community College, where Claire pursued her A.A.S. in Automotive Technology and Emma pursued her A.A.S. in Auto Collision Repair Technology.

“I definitely cannot imagine going to SCC and going to my program if my sister had not chosen to also go here and go through a similar program,” Claire said. “It has been such a joy to experience that together. We get to see each other at lunch, get to see each other after class. And what's been really exciting is that I get to share with her some of the things I've learned in my program throughout the day, and then I get to hear that from her.”

The sisters, two thirds of a set of triplets, spent two years at SCC pushing each other to be the best version of themselves. While Claire finds herself looking under the hood often, and Emma is usually trying to fix a cosmetic issue, their work does crossover sometimes.

“We both deal with advanced driver assistance systems,” Emma said. “We both deal with radiators and cooling systems. There's some of those things we can have conversations about. I can talk to her and understand her automotive issues, and she can understand my finishing issues. It's kind of a neat way to be similar, but still unique.”

Their father, Kevin Uhler, is an associate dean in the automotive program on the Milford campus, and he was an instructor in the automotive program for over a decade prior. He’s the reason Claire and Emma spent so much time around cars.

“I've grown up with an instructor for a dad, which was always very valuable,” Claire said. “Now with him being here, I get to stop in and bug him or hear his bad dad jokes all the time. I cannot express how grateful I am to have those opportunities and to have my family be involved in SCC the way that it is.”

Claire and Emma showcased their skills at the Nebraska State SkillsUSA Leadership & Skills Conference in March, and both of them became the first student in their respective programs to win gold.

“My goal was not necessarily for myself to do well,” Emma said. “My goal really was just to prove that SCC is a contender. We are putting out qualified graduates, and I want to show that we're up here and going above and beyond. I just want to show how I just feel so strongly about SCC and wanting to succeed.”

Both Claire and Emma walked across the stage with their respective degrees as well as their A.A.S. in Operations and Service Management at commencement on Tuesday.

After graduation, Claire is taking her skills to Penner’s Tire Pros in York, and Emma is staying in Lincoln and working at Morrow Collision Center.

“I've found my whole 2 years at SCC to be really rewarding,” Emma said. “I feel like everyone here was super helpful. My instructors were fantastic. My classmates got along great. I felt very at home altogether on campus, and that's something that I really am happy about, and I really want other students to be able to experience campus like I have.”

Damon Bennett
Activities Information Director
402-437-2077
dbennett@southeast.edu