Kira Davis Weber has lived in seven states, from Alaska to Maryland, worked various jobs from Disney World to Starbucks, and studied everything from German literature to tourism management.
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Kira Davis Weber’s Journey of Fixing Cars and Breaking Barriers
February 24, 2025
In 2024, she came to Aims to enroll in the Master Automobile Service Technician associate degree program. This may seem like an abrupt change, but she has been acquainted with Aims since she was a child.
During her elementary school years, she lived in Greeley and her dad worked at Aims as a math professor. “He’d always bring me to class with him,” Kira recalled. “I remember sitting in the back of the room, doodling in my notebook while he taught. He was always telling me, ‘When you’re older, go to Aims.’”
She took part in College for Kids classes at Aims, including martial arts and voice lessons, which gave her an early taste of what the college had to offer. “It was such a cool place because there was so much going on,” she said. “Even back then, I could tell Aims had something for everyone.”
Despite her father’s encouragement, Kira initially pursued other college paths, trying both traditional and online education before realizing that a hands-on trade program was what she truly needed. When she finally decided to return to Colorado and attend Aims, she discovered her father had been right all along. “I don’t like admitting it,” she laughed, “but my dad was absolutely right. Aims was exactly where I needed to be.”
Aims Community College has become a place of stability and opportunity for Kira.
“Aims means the world to me. Growing up moving all the time, I never really had a constant. But the community here has been incredible, and I know they’ll always have my back.”
Fascinated by How Things Work
Kira was drawn to a technical career because she couldn’t sit behind a desk all day. She realized she needed a job that allowed her to problem-solve in real-time, get hands-on experience, and see the results of her work immediately. “I have to be on my feet, talking to people, working with my hands,” she said.
From an early age, she was drawn to the mechanics of how things work, and vehicles quickly became one of her biggest interests. “My dad was always taking me to car shows when I was a kid,” she said. “I’d see all these incredible cars and think, ‘Wow, how do these things even work?’ I couldn’t wait to learn how to drive.”
Still unsure of her next step, she researched trade programs and came across the automotive program at Aims. She decided to tour the Automotive and Technology Center in Windsor, and that’s when everything clicked. “I took a tour of the program and the building. I saw the facility, the technology, the tools — and I just fell in love with how many opportunities there are here,” she said.
She was impressed by the depth of the program — it wasn’t just a surface-level introduction to auto repair. The program covers basic maintenance to advanced electrical diagnostics, brakes, steering and suspension, heating and air conditioning systems, and more.
“We’re not just learning the basics like how to change your oil. We’re diving deep into how things actually work. That’s what really stood out to me.”
Another major factor in her decision was the state-of-the-art technology available to students. “We have all the tools, the technology, and the different cars to work on,” Kira said. “The second new technology hits the industry, we have it in our shop.” For someone who had always loved fixing things but never knew where to start, this was precisely the kind of program she had been searching for. “Automotive was the perfect fit.”
Unlike some people who see car repairs as a job, Kira sees vehicles as complex machines requiring deep knowledge and skill. “Cars are such a huge part of our everyday lives, and I think it’s important to understand them — especially with how fast the industry is changing.”
Kira is especially intrigued by new automotive technologies, including electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, and wants to be part of the future of the industry. “The industry is branching out in so many directions — electric, hydrogen, hybrid tech — and I want to be ahead of it.”
Aiming for Change in a Male-Dominated Industry
Despite her excitement, Kira knew that entering the automotive field as a woman wouldn’t be without its challenges. “I had that same question when I toured the program — I know the industry is not great for women. Is this going to be a safe place for me?” she recalled.
Fortunately, she found an incredibly supportive environment at Aims. Though she is currently the only woman in her class, she is not alone. There are other female students, instructors, and even department leaders who are breaking down barriers in the industry. In her work-study position, she has become deeply ingrained in the automotive department’s community, interacting with students, instructors, and industry professionals every day.
“The instructors here are amazing. Even if they’re not my specific instructor, I can go to anyone in the building and say, ‘I need some help,’ they’ll take time out of their day to sit down with me or walk me through a car,” Kira said.
But beyond her own education, Kira has a bigger goal — one that could help change the industry for future generations of women. “I’ve always thought having a woman-run auto shop would be awesome. Not necessarily all female employees, but a space started by women, for women,” she said.
Her vision goes beyond just running a shop — she wants to offer free classes to teach people basic car maintenance, like changing oil, checking tire pressure, and avoiding unnecessary repair costs.
“There are so many people — especially women — who never had the chance to learn these things growing up. I want to create a space where they feel comfortable, where they know they’re not going to be ripped off or taken advantage of,” she explained.
A Career Fueled by Passion and Purpose
Kira is excelling in the program and plans to complete it in Spring 2026. “This has been the most successful I’ve ever been in school, and I think that’s because I’ve finally found what I love,” she said. After graduating, she plans to gain experience in the industry and work in a dealership or independent shop.
Her love of fixing things doesn’t stop at cars. Kira also wants to possibly pursue aviation mechanics when Aims launches its Aircraft Maintenance Technician degree program in 2026. “The aviation program at Aims will start right when I finish my automotive degree, and I’m really interested in that, too. Planes are just cars that fly,” she joked.
As she looks toward the future, she knows one thing for sure — she’s finally found her lane.