Painting a Blank Canvas: Dallas HVAC Student Finds His Path at UEI

For much of his working life, Kalen Curlin-Manatsa tried his hand at a number of different jobs — warehouse shifts, retail, shuttle driving, and parking management — always looking for something that felt like more than just a paycheck.

When his most familiar and steady job ended, however, he realized he was at a crossroads.

“I looked at everything I’d done up to that point as a draft of a picture,” Kalen said. “It wasn’t the final painting. It was just lines and shapes. So, I was ready to start fresh, grab a blank canvas, and use what I’d learned along the way to create something new.”

That blank canvas, he discovered, was waiting for him at UEI’s Dallas campus. It was there he enrolled in the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) program with an eye toward career development and growth in the building industry.

A New Direction through Education

Kalen says he’s always been drawn to hands-on work. When he was younger, sports were his passion, but when health issues closed that door, he turned his focus to building and construction.

“I wanted to lay foundations for houses … to build homes,” he said.

HVAC, he thought, would be a good entry point into residential building and construction. And when he first visited UEI to learn about the program, Kalen felt understood.

“They knew how to balance everyday life with pursuing a career,” he said. “The schedule worked for me, and they catered to my needs. I was nervous because I told myself if I started school again, I had no choice but to succeed. UEI helped me feel confident that I could.”

Now several months into the program, Kalen says his decision to enroll has been validated at every step.

“The atmosphere is very welcoming,” he said. “Everyone knows everyone. It’s not such a big campus that you get lost in. It’s a fun environment, and the instructors are invested in your success.”

He’s especially appreciated the different teaching styles each instructor brings. His first instructor, Brandon Harvey, focused on fundamentals, making sure students understood what they were looking at in the lab. Another, Gerard Ibanez, emphasized technology and efficiency, guiding them through wiring and thermostats.

His current instructor, Bronchee Mims, stresses discipline and old-school methods, ensuring students can succeed whether employers use traditional or modern approaches.

“They’re preparing us for the real world,” Kalen said. “Different employers do things different ways, and we’ll be ready for all of it.”

“Kalen brings focus, determination, and genuine curiosity to every class. He pays close attention to details and is always eager to learn, which are qualities that will serve him well in the HVAC field and beyond,” Mr. Ibanez said. “His positive attitude sets a great example for his peers, and I am confident he will achieve great success in his career.”

And for Kalen, no detail has been too small when it comes to his education.

“I like to dig into details,” he said. “The one-on-one time with instructors helps a lot because I can really understand what I’m working on. I pay attention to every little thing in the lab because I know those details will matter in the field.”

Looking Ahead to an HVAC Career

While HVAC is his starting point, Kalen sees it as just the beginning. His bigger dream is to build a career in carpentry and construction.

“HVAC shows you how houses are built, how systems connect, how structures work,” he said. “That knowledge will help me later in carpentry. Each skill I learn now is another brushstroke on that canvas I’m painting.”

Ultimately, Kalen hopes to create more than a career for himself. He wants to build a foundation strong enough to help others.

“It’s okay to have nice things and accomplish your goals,” he said. “But if you can spread happiness and knowledge, and help people who’ve been through struggles too, that’s the bigger picture for me.”

Kalen often shares his perspective with other students and visitors touring the Dallas campus.

“For younger students, their canvas is still blank,” he said. “For older students, maybe it’s a second frame — a chance to learn from the first draft and start over. Either way, UEI gives you the brushes and the curriculum as your tools. You can create something completely new, something beautiful.”

His advice is simple: take it seriously.

“Do your homework, focus on what the instructors are teaching, and really retain it,” he said. “If you do that, you’ll leave prepared to be successful.”

For Kalen, UEI College represents opportunity, renewal, and the chance to start over with purpose.

“Sometimes your painting might be blurry in places,” he said. “But here, you get the chance to start fresh. UEI is the blank canvas, and it’s up to you to create something beautiful. That’s exactly what I’m doing now.”