ABYC Names Educator of the Year

The American Boat & Yacht Council Foundation (ABYC Foundation) has announced Keith Rollins, a marine instructor at Suncoast Technical College in Sarasota, Florida, as its 2024 Educator of the Year. The annual award honors extraordinary marine service technology instructors teaching in a high school, post-secondary school, or within the industry.

The award was announced during ABYC’s Educator Forum, an event where educators and industry leaders collaborate to find ways to support the next generation of marine technicians. This setting was ideal to honor Rollins’ dedication to advancing marine technical education.

Rollins has taught at Suncoast Technical College for six years, beginning in automotive service technology before transitioning to marine service technologies. His extensive professional background includes work in the automotive industry and serving as an F1 race boat mechanic for Intercoastal Marine. Rollins holds ABYC Master Advisor certifications in diesel engines, gasoline engines, marine electrical and marine systems.

“I enjoy teaching and believe that the passion that a teacher has can excite students and help them find the work they wish to pursue,” said Rollins. “My joke about comparing marine to automotive is the test drives (sea trials) are so much nicer in marine.”

Rollins was nominated by Jeri Cocchi, program manager of industrial technologies at Suncoast Technical College, who highlighted his extraordinary impact on students.

To learn more about ABYC Foundation’s Educator of the Year or ABYC programs supporting marine technical education, visit www.teachboats.org.