John Tsai recently became the first student from Nunez Community College’s young Wind Energy Technology program to land a job in the wind industry.

Just two semesters deep, Tsai, who has been with the Wind program since its inaugural semester in Fall 2024, will begin his third semester this fall. He’s attending Nunez on a full-tuition scholarship introduced for the first cohorts of Wind students. Several Wind scholarships remain available for Fall 2025.

Tsai was introduced by Gulf Wind Technology (GWT) of Avondale as the company’s newest Associate Rotor Technologist in a LinkedIn post last week touting his “rare mix of public service, technical expertise, and global experience.”

“From day one, John has made an impact—contributing to customer projects in our Technology Center and in the field, and approaching every challenge with focus and determination,” Gulf Wind Technology said in a statement. “His readiness to engage in real-world situations reflects both his personal dedication and the training he's received at Nunez. He’s quickly become a valued team member, fitting seamlessly into our culture and demonstrating the passion, discipline, and integrity we uphold at GWT.”

Tsai was introduced to GWT during the mock interview portion of Nunez’s first Windward Bound industry conference in March. As a member of the Wind Energy Technology program’s advisory board, GWT lends its industry expertise and insight to Nunez to ensure the wind curriculum teaches the most up-to-date and sought-after skills in the wind industry. To that end, Wind Program Manager Kat Bell invited GWT representatives to Windward Bound to give students their first taste of how a job interview might go in the wind industry.

GWT advisors were so impressed with Tsai during his mock interview that they invited him to tour their Avondale facility, which led to his subsequent hiring and onboarding.

“I wanted to work for a local, innovative company on the cutting edge of wind turbine blade technology,” said Tsai. “I’m excited to learn as much as I can about wind turbines, especially about non-destructive testing and root cause analysis of blades.”

Bell said Tsai will continue his studies in the Wind program while working full-time for GWT. The company has already sent him to Texas for additional training and Pennsylvania and Colorado to take part in maintenance projects. His work with GWT will likely send him around the country testing, repairing and maintaining blades of land-based turbines. A statement on the company’s website describes its services as “specifically tailored to the technical domain of wind turbine rotors.”

Registration is open now for the Fall 2025 semester at Nunez. Classes begin Aug. 19. Join the Wind Energy Technology program by applying at Nunez.edu. If you need assistance, contact our Student Success Team at Nunez.edu/Advising.

About Nunez Community College
Nunez Community College is a student-centered institution that delivers relevant and innovative curriculum integrating the arts, sciences, and humanities leading to academic credentials and workforce opportunities. Nunez serves a vital role in the community by engaging with partners to support student success and personal growth. Nunez Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Nunez Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org). Nunez is located at 3710 Paris Road, Chalmette, LA. For more information, visit www.nunez.edu.    

About Gulf Wind Technology
Gulf Wind Technology is America’s leading independent specialist in wind turbine rotor engineering solutions. With a unique blend of technical expertise, rotor-specific knowledge, and advanced facilities, the company supports OEMs, operators, and developers in enhancing turbine reliability, performance, and profitability. From blade design and performance optimization to field repairs, Gulf Wind Technology offers the full spectrum of rotor services under one roof—tailored to each project and supported by data and detailed business case analysis to enable confident, informed decisions. For more information, visit www.gulfwindtechnology.com.