Mopar Career Automotive Program instructor is a 1998 DCTC alumnus
Matt Boudinot, 46, has been recognized as the Dakota County Technical College and Minnesota State Outstanding Educator for 2024–2025. Matt is faculty in the college’s Mopar Career Automotive Program (CAP). He started teaching at DCTC in 2014.
Matt Boudinot
“I am incredibly honored to be selected for the Outstanding Educator of the Year award,” Matt said. “This recognition reflects the amazing work being done across Dakota County Technical College, where every day dedicated faculty go above and beyond to support our students. I am truly inspired by the passion, commitment, and innovation my colleagues bring to the classroom, and I share this nomination with all of them. Together, we are shaping the future of our students and our industry, and I am proud to be part of such a remarkable community of educators.”
Matt is a DCTC alumnus, having graduated from the Automotive Service Technology (formerly Auto Mechanics) program with an A.A.S. degree in 1998. He went on to earn an Advanced Drivability and Electrical Diagnosis Diploma from Alexandria Technical College in 1999 and a Transportation Management Advanced certificate from DCTC in 2020.
Matt is also an ASE Master Certified Technician. According to the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), Master Technician status is earned when a technician achieves certification in all required testing areas for a particular series. Matt has ASE Master Technician Automobile & Light Truck Certification Tests (A1 – A9) status along with Advanced Engine Performance Specialist Certification (L1) and Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist Certification (L3).
Before arriving at DCTC, Matt worked as an advanced automotive diagnostic technician for eight years at Fury Motors and as an automotive diagnostic technician at White Bear Dodge for one year and Fury Motors for 6.5 years.
Matt Boudinot: Teaching philosophy
Matt Boudinot
As an automotive instructor, my goal is to create a hands-on, inclusive learning environment where every student feels supported and ready to tackle the challenges of a fast-changing industry. I’m passionate about helping students develop not only their technical skills, but also their problem-solving and communication abilities—things that are just as important as knowing how to fix a car.
I enjoy incorporating technology such as AI tools and real-world simulations to make learning engaging and relevant. By offering paid internships through partnerships with local dealerships, I’m able to give students valuable on-the-job experience while they’re still in school. This helps them connect what they’re learning in the classroom to real-world situations.
Supporting students in all aspects of their education is central to my teaching approach. Whether it’s helping them navigate financial barriers, offering personalized guidance, or providing access to resources, I’m dedicated to ensuring that each student has what they need to succeed, both academically and professionally.
Building strong personal relationships with my students allows me to understand their individual goals and challenges, so I can tailor my support to their unique needs. This trust-based approach helps them feel confident in their learning journey.
In the end, my goal is to prepare students not just for their first job, but for a lifelong career where they feel confident and capable of taking on whatever comes their way.
More about Matt…
Matt with family members
Originally from Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, Matt graduated from Simley High School, Class of 1996. Matt and his wife have been married 26 years. They have five children. The family has one Great Dane named Wilson, age 6, one French bulldog named Stanlee, age 7, and one French bulldog named Scarlet, age 1. The family also has a cat named Ricky, age 16, possibly an American shorthair, one they adopted from the Animal Humane Society, and eight chickens that all lay eggs.
In his free time, Matt enjoys drone flying, metal detecting, target shooting, enjoying nature with his wife and family—and cars, of course. Matt resides with his family in Scandia, Minnesota.
Scarlet, Stanlee, and Wilson
Matt Boudinot • Q & A
Matt Boudinot
What motivated you to choose automotive service technology as your career focus?
I loved taking things apart and seeing how they worked. I liked cars, but didn’t know how they worked, so I joined the two and made it a passion.
What do you like best about teaching Mopar Career Automotive courses?
The students. I enjoy getting to know each and every one of them on a personal level and sharing my passion for the automotive repair industry.
Three words that describe you as a college educator:
COMPASSIONATE. UNDERSTANDING. INNOVATIVE.
What advice would you give future college students thinking about pursuing careers in the transportation industry?
It’s a great industry with numerous paths to grow into. The best part about a hands-on career like the automotive repair industry is that it has great job security and high earning potential.
What are the most important traits people need to be successful automotive service technicians?
Professionalism, an eagerness to learn, and interpersonal communication skills.
What do you see as the most significant technological advances on the automotive horizon?
Electric Vehicles, Autonomous Driving, and Entertainment/Infotainment Advancements.
Three words that describe you as an ASE Master Certified Technician:
SKILLED. MENTOR. LEADER.
What make and model vehicle would you most like to own and why?
My dream car would be a 1965 Shelby Cobra 427, however my favorite daily driver would have to be an electric vehicle. EVs are so much better for the daily commute.
1965 Shelby Cobra 427
What person has influenced your life the most and why?
I’ve had so many, but I would have to recognize the one that really got me off on the right foot out in the industry and mentored me on my path to where I got to today. His name was Mike Weir. I worked with him at Ford Parkway Firestone when I started in the industry, and he was always more than willing to share his passion and show me the right path to a proper diagnosis.
I have to give a shout out to my father-in-law, Don, who also guided me to consider a career in the automotive repair industry. Had I not listened to him, I might be a starving artist playing in a rock band—or at least as a part time job.
If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?
With the climate in politics right now, I would love to see people come together and learn from one another about the various viewpoints each of us have. I’d love to see a common goal to see each other achieve their dreams and provide the freedoms everyone deserves.
One word that best describes your experience at DCTC:
COMPASSIONATE
Matt Boudinot • 12 Answers
- Favorite sport or physical activity: Hiking with my wife
Place you would most like to visit: France/Sweden/Finland/Norway/Iceland- Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: I’d have to say 0–60 in 2.4 seconds with the feeling of blood rushing to the back of your face has to be one of the most exciting; I think driving the numerous muscle and expensive cars as part of my career was pretty fun
- Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Give most of it away 2) See the world 3) Live in nature
- Best book or movie you’ve read or seen lately: Deadpool & Wolverine (still a kid at heart)
- Time period you would explore if you could time travel: The future
- One thing you most want to accomplish in life: To have a positive impact on others
Your national bird if you were your own country: The owl—I don’t think they get recognized enough- Dream occupation: Probably what I’m doing
- Person you would most like to meet: I’m not sure; I don’t have a particular person that I feel I need to meet
- Skill you would most like to learn and master: I wouldn’t mind learning how to code
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: The political divide by far
Learn more about the Mopar Career Automotive Program (CAP) at DCTC by contacting:
Admissions
admissions@dctc.edu
651-423-8266
Room 2-110
More about the Mopar Career Automotive Program (CAP)…
The Mopar Career Automotive Program (CAP) provides students with more than a general automotive education. By incorporating the Mopar® CAP curriculum, DCTC provides students the ability to turn their passion into a career.
Mopar CAP students gain the training and fundamental knowledge they need to work on some of the hottest vehicles in the industry from the legendary Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram, FIAT® and Alfa Romeo brands. Mopar CAP certification gives students a competitive edge and shows dealers they have the fundamental qualifications to be a successful automotive career at a Mopar dealership. With educators certified by Stellantis, Mopar CAP combines hands-on experience and classroom instruction.
Award
Mopar Career Automotive Program (CAP) A.A.S. degree: 72 credits
Location: On campus
Delivery: Daytime classes
Start: Fall and spring semester; full-time
Mopar Career Automotive Program (CAP) DatasheetAdmissions requirements
As an applicant to this program, you must take the ACCUPLACER Test unless you hold a two-year or four-year degree. If you do not achieve the minimum scoring requirements, you may need to take additional prep courses before being accepted into the program.
As an applicant to this program, you must be sponsored by a Mopar dealership. MCAP faculty will provide interested students a Dealer Sponsorship Form for the dealer contact to complete. The MCAP shop that has agreed to sponsor you must complete this form. After completion, the form should be returned to the MCAP faculty.
View a map of MCAP Dealerships
Accreditation
The Mopar® Career Automotive Program is accredited by the ASE Education Foundation.
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
Reported job titles
- Automotive Drivability Technician (Auto Drivability Tech)
- Automotive Mechanic (Auto Mechanic)
- Automotive Service Technician (Auto Service Tech)
- Automotive Technician (Auto Tech)
- Diagnostic Technician (Diagnostic Tech)
- Heavy Line Technician (Heavy Line Tech)
- Lube Tech (Lubrication Technician)
- Mechanic
- Quick Service Technician (Quick Service Tech)
- Service Technician (Service Tech)
WAGES
Minnesota
Workers on average earn $49,290
10 percent of workers earn $35,950 or less
10 percent of workers earn $77,310 or moreUnited States
Workers on average earn $47,770
10 percent of workers earn $30,600 or less
10 percent of workers earn $77,630 or more2023 Wage Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Job Openings on the WebSOURCE: O*NET OnLine: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
