What empowers Saint Paul College (SPC) students to succeed? For Electromechanical Automation Systems instructor Travis Schachtner, it’s listening, curiosity, and a welcoming environment. With his booming laugh, Travis instantly puts students at ease. From the moment you enter the Electrical Mechanics shop, you sense it’s a safe space to try, fail, and try again.

His Path to Saint Paul College

Travis Schachtner

Travis, the founding instructor of the Electromechanical Automation Systems program, first honed his skills on the farm—disassembling and reassembling machines—before moving into industrial maintenance and, a decade ago, helping launch the program at SPC. By his junior year of high school, he was set to join the Navy. There, aboard a submarine, Travis discovered his passion for teaching while training fellow service members thousands of feet below the ocean surface.

How Does He Teach?

When students of varying skill levels and cultural backgrounds walk into the electromechanical shop, they have the opportunity to grow. Travis creates a safe learning environment where students feel comfortable trying, failing, and trying again. During his tenure at SPC, Travis has found various ways to reduce barriers to students’ learning. For example, an instructor’s formal title is a display of authority for some students. They stop asking questions and taking chances, so Travis never uses his formal title. By going by his first name, students are free to be curious and persevere until they understand and can repair electromechanical systems.

I’ve heard of Travis Schachtner helping students find jobs in the Electromechanical Automation Systems field that they never even knew existed. Giving students the space in classes to ask questions, mess up, find those connections, and open their minds is so huge.

Kiara O’Reilly

College Partnerships Advisor

How is Travis Encouraging Students?

At open houses, Travis is often the first face prospective students see. He listens to their stories and helps match their interests to the right program or resource. For one student, he combined her passion for cars and art into a path of designing vehicle wraps. He empowers students to pursue their dreams.

The same caring approach shapes his classroom. Travis keeps snacks on hand, but when one student complained about the candy running out, Travis learned the student was relying on it as his only food while living out of his car. Quietly, Travis began bringing healthier snacks for everyone, never singling out the student but making sure no one went hungry. Small acts of kindness like this are just part of his everyday teaching.

Travis’s story reminds us that every student’s journey is unique and full of possibilities. His shop is more than a place to master technical skills; it’s a community where hope, growth, and second chances thrive. Through empathy, authenticity, and unwavering support, Travis sets the standard for how SPC educators can empower students to build brighter futures.