ACTC Promotes Nine Faculty Members

Nine Ashland Community and Technical College faculty members have been promoted effective July 1, 2016. Their promotions recognize excellence in teaching and college service.

Sara A. Brown was promoted to Professor of English. A South Shore resident and area native, she started at ACTC in 2004. In addition to teaching English and Humanities courses, she is the Distance Learning Coordinator and administers the Blackboard online learning system. She is co-advisor to Sigma Kappa Delta and serves on the college Distance Learning Committee and the KCTCS Distance Learning Peer Team.

Brown graduated from Greenup County High School and went on to earn a BA in English from Marshall University, a Masters in Library Science from the University of Kentucky and a Masters in English from Morehead State University. I consider it an honor to be a part of the college experience for so many students, and I enjoy providing eLearning training and technical support to faculty, she said.

Molly Webb was promoted to Professor of Business. An Ashland resident, she started at the college in 2003. She teaches management and marketing courses and is also Chair of the Business, Public Services and Technology Division. She serves on the College Council and the Teaching/Learning Excellence and Distance Learning Committees.

Webb grew up in Louisville and earned a BA in Public Administration from Miami University and a MBA from Bellarmine University. It is rewarding to develop a rapport with students through classroom instruction and career plan advising, she said. I also consider it an important part of my job to work with faculty and staff to enhance technical and transfer opportunities for our students.

Terri L. Ratliff was promoted to Associate Professor of Practical Nursing. A Russell resident, she started at the college in 2010. She is Coordinator of the Practical Nursing Program, member of the Faculty Council, and president of the KY Council for Practical Nursing.

Born in Ashland and raised in Flatwoods, Ratliff graduated from Russell High School. Her BS in Nursing is from Marshall University. No one can understand how truly difficult it is to complete a nursing program unless they have attempted it, she said. When students finally complete the program and you see how their lives are changed because of their success, you know your hard work as an instructor was completely worth it!

Susan Wallace-Vernatter was promoted to Assistant Professor of Practical Nursing (PN). A South Point, OH resident, she started at the college in 2012. She is the PN Lab/Clinical Coordinator and member of the PN Advisory and Selection Committees. She serves on the ACTC Safety amp; Security Committee and is a member of the Emergency Nurses Association.

Before starting at ACTC, Wallace-Vernatter was a nurse for 28 years. She has an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing from Ashland Community College and a BS in Healthcare Management from Bellvue University. When I participate in a Nurse Pinning Ceremony, I realize those students can make a difference in the lives of their patients as well as their own personal lives, and Im thrilled to be part of it.

Robin D. Wallace Johns was promoted to Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE). A Catlettsburg resident, she grew up in Lawrence County and graduated from Boyd County High School. She started at the college part time in 2009 and became full time in 2013. She teaches IECE classes and is the IECE Program Coordinator. A member of the Faculty Council and Valued Employees Committee, she is also co-chair of the KCTCS Curriculum Committee for IECE.

Johns has a BA in Elementary Education from Berea College and two MA degrees from Morehead State University - in Elementary Education and Teacher Leader in IECE. I love working one-on-one with students, advising them toward their career goals, she said. Its also important to support my students and the children they serve by raising public awareness of this valuable and demanding job.

Pamela S. Klinepeter was promoted to Professor/Librarian I. An Ashland resident, she started at the college in 2005 and is now the Director of Library Services. She serves on the College Council and Curriculum Review Committee andhas been thefaculty representative to the Colleges Foundation Board.

Klinepeter has a BS in English from Pikeville College (now University of Pikeville) and a MS in Library Science from the University of Kentucky. Not only do I teach students how to find, evaluate, and use information, I spend a good bit of time teaching students how to use technology, she said. Students will need a lot of information in their lifetimes, and its important that they learn to identify the good from the bad.

Dr. Nicole Griffith-Green was promoted to Professor of Biology. A Catlettsburg resident, she started at the college in 2005. She is Chair of the Arts amp; Science Division and Director of the Quality Enhancement Plan. She serves on the Academic Council, College Council, Teaching Learning Excellence Committee and General Education Assessment Committee. She is chair of the Associate in Science Program Advisory Committee.

A Fairview High School graduate who grew up in Westwood, Griffith-Green has a BS and MS degrees in Biology from Morehead State University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of the Cumberlands. I enjoy interacting with students and helping them determine their academic career path, she said. Its rewarding to their successes when they graduate and enter the workforce or continue on to a professional school.

Deena L. Howerton, a Greenup resident, was promoted to Assistant Professor of Practical Nursing (PN). A Greenup High School graduate and ACTC alumna, she started at the college in 2012 after working as a nurse for 26 years. She serves on the college Quality Enhancement Plan, PN Selection and PN Advisory committees.

Howerton graduated from ACTC in 1990 and has a BSN from Bellarmine University and Pediatric Nursing Certification from the national board. One of the most rewarding aspects of my position is teaching not only the required information but the life skills that can help them become responsible, compassionate nurses, she said. Coming back to work at ACTC was like coming home. I learned much as a student here and as a nurse, and this is my opportunity to pass it on.

Warren Howard, an Ashland native was promoted to Professor of Education. A Paul G. Blazer graduate, he has a BA and MA degrees from Morehead State University. Since starting at the college in 1999, he has served as Faculty Chair and been a member of several ACTC and KCTCS committees. He is a graduate of the KCTCS Presidents Leadership Seminar.

Howard teaches classes to students planning to major in education. I have the greatest job in the world in whichI get to teach future teachers, he said. Its important that my students progress on to Morehead and other universities with the knowledge and skills necessary to help them complete their four-year Teacher Certification program.