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Bowling Green Celebrates Awards of Excellence in Education

A vibrant atmosphere during the SKYCTC Awards of Excellence ceremony, honoring dedicated educators.

News Summary

Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) recently held its Awards of Excellence ceremony, recognizing outstanding faculty and staff for their dedication. John Thomerson, Denna White, and Dr. Renee White were honored for their contributions to student success. Additionally, SKYCTC secured a $2 million grant aimed at enhancing academic outcomes for first-generation and low-income students, showcasing its ongoing commitment to educational excellence and support.

Bowling Green Celebrates Excellence in Education and New Opportunities for Students

In a delightful gathering that put the spotlight on remarkable individuals, Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) recently held its Awards of Excellence ceremony. This annual event is all about recognizing the hard work and dedication of faculty and staff members who have made a significant impact on students and the entire college community.

Shining Stars of SKYCTC

During the ceremony, several individuals were honored for their outstanding contributions. The winners for the 2024 Awards of Excellence include:

John Thomerson for Outstanding Support Staff
Denna White for Outstanding Administrative Staff
Dr. Renee White for Outstanding Faculty

John Thomerson, who serves as the Retention and Resources Coordinator, has played a vital role in enhancing the student experience. He has been instrumental in designing support programs like the Career and Academic Planning Center and has successfully run the New Student Orientation. Under his guidance, the college reached the highest retention rates for first-time students in years. Besides his pivotal job, John is an engaging music instructor and also serves as Secretary for the Southern Kentucky Veterans Council.

When it comes to administrative excellence, Denna White has certainly made her mark. As the Director of Admissions, she not only represents SKYCTC within the community but actively participates in vital events like the SCK Launch aimed at encouraging 8th graders and supports high school initiatives such as Skills USA.

Last but not least, Dr. Renee White has been a valuable member of the SKYCTC team since early 2013. As an Associate Professor in Medical Information Technology, she teaches essential courses on medical coding and takes on leadership roles such as Vice Chair of the Faculty Senate. Her extensive experience positions her as a mentor for aspiring professionals in the medical field.

Investing in Students’ Future

In addition to recognizing outstanding individuals, SKYCTC has exciting news on the grant front. The college has secured a significant $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Title 3 Strengthening Institutions Program. This five-year grant is specifically aimed at enhancing academic outcomes for first-generation and low-income students, a move that promises to alleviate many of the challenges these students often face.

The successful application, coordinated by Dr. T. Chris George, director of TRIO Programs, took a rigorous 18 months to complete. The main goal of this grant is to tackle barriers related to retention and graduation rates for students who may need extra support.

Some of the initiatives funded by this grant include enhanced programs focused on graduation tracking, career success, and financial literacy education, empowering students with the skills they need to succeed.

Calling All Nominations

KCTCS Pathfinder High School Teacher/Counselor Recognition Award. This award seeks to recognize those outstanding teachers who go above and beyond to help their students pursue educational and career pathways.

Nominations for this prestigious award are currently open and will be accepted until December 31. The exciting part? Winners will be celebrated during local high school events early next year, shining a well-deserved light on their incredible efforts.

With such remarkable achievements and initiatives underway, SKYCTC continues to prove its commitment to fostering excellence in education and support for its students. The future is looking bright for the college and the community it serves!