Pathways to Service connects over 30 students to community

Published on Apr 7, 2026

Over 30 students from Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) participated last month in Pathways to Service, a two-week community engagement initiative for students enrolled in FYE 110.

The program allows students to engage in meaningful service while developing skills aligned with the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education’s 10 Essential Skills, including civic engagement, teamwork, and professional engagement.

Eight community organizations partnered with the college in this initiative, including Safe Harbor of Northeast KY, Inc., The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center, Hillcrest-Bruce Mission, Facing Hunger Foodbank, Northeast Corps KY Salvation Army, The Neighborhood, Carter County Public Library – Grayson Branch, and Carter County Public Library – Olive Hill Branch.

The students completed a total of 96 service hours during this semester’s event.
ACTC student, Matthew Oakley, volunteered at the Carter County Public Library.

“Volunteering at the Carter County Public Library helped me step out of my comfort zone,” he said. “I realized that volunteering there is something I really enjoyed and could see as a future career path for myself.”

Warren Howard, ACTC professor, says that he believes focusing on empathy is especially important.

“Many of my students are familiar with the places that let us volunteer, and they are happy to give back to those places that have helped them,” Howard said. “Volunteering is so fulfilling and eye-opening."

In addition to giving back to the community, students are gaining experiences that will later assist them with their resume development, provide things to discuss in an interview, and support career development.

By doing this, students can earn digital badges that can be showcased on platforms such as LinkedIn and Handshake. These badges enhance students' profiles, making them more visible to potential employers and contribute toward the completion of the Work Ready Certification.

“One of the most rewarding parts of Pathways to Service each semester is continuing to work with community partners who are always excited to welcome our students, while also building relationships with new organizations along the way,” said Amy Oakley, Career Services’ student support specialist. “It’s encouraging to see students discover places where they feel connected and confident giving back to their community.”

For more information about the 10 essential skills, please visit our website:

https://ashland.kctcs.edu/current-students/academic-resources/essential-skills.aspx)

For organizations interested in future volunteer opportunities for the event, contact Amy Oakley at amy.oakley@kctcs.edu.