Faculty, staff always available for student support
July 8, 2020
This is the tenth installment in a series of employee spotlights for Ashland Community and Technical College to highlight how faculty and staff are helping students while working remotely.
Despite the change in delivery method, ACTC’s employees are dedicated to providing the best support possible to its students.
Name: Al Baker
City of Residence: Ashland, Ky.
Education: Bachelor’s from University of Kentucky (1990) and master’s from Morehead State University (2008).
Role(s) at ACTC and how you interact with students: Director of Cultural Diversity and Recruiter. I recruit students and work with students with diverse cultural backgrounds. I am also the Boyd County and Greenup County NAACP President who works in the community as well.
How long have you been with ACTC? 14 years
What are your favorite things about working at ACTC? Working with various staff and students, learning from each of them daily.
Special accomplishments while working at ACTC? Enjoying students graduating and starting new careers.
How would your co-workers describe you? Funny and outgoing person who enjoys life daily.
Who is your biggest role model and why: Martin Luther King Jr. continues to keep me focused daily.
If the students I work with learn one thing, I hope it is… Nothing will be given to you, you have to work for what you want.
How are you assisting students during the pandemic and what should students know about your area of service during this time? Please stay safe and the office of cultural diversity is always open.
Name: Lora Kirkpatrick
City of Residence: Argillite, Ky.
Education: Some coursework at ACTC.
Role(s) at ACTC and how you interact with students: Procurement Card Coordinator, Travel Auditor and Cashier. I interact with students when they are inquiring or paying their bill or need a copy of their bill, schedule or tax form. Most of my interactions are between myself, faculty and staff.
How long have you been with ACTC? 10 years
What are your favorite things about working at ACTC? The students, for sure!
Special accomplishments while working at ACTC? Promotion from Business Affairs Assistant (Level I) to Business Affairs Assistant (Level II).
How would your co-workers describe you? Helpful
Who is your biggest role model and why: My supervisor, Karen Blevins, Dean of Business Affairs. She is very knowledgeable!
If the students I work with learn one thing, I hope it is… Education is an investment.
How are you assisting students during the pandemic and what should students know about your area of service during this time? I assist in answering student emails concerning their account and payment questions.
Name: Hossein Mohebbian
City of Residence: Wheelersburg, Ohio
Education: From 1986-1988, I completed 25 hours of work toward a Ph.D. in Mathematics at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. From 1981-1983, I completed a Master of Arts in Mathematics at Marshall University.
Role(s) at ACTC and how you interact with students: I am a professor of mathematics in teaching online courses through Blackboard Collaborate. The courses I have taught include, college algebra, trigonometry, calculus (I, II, II, and IV) and statistics. Most of my classes are online and I use Blackboard Collaborate for live sessions and online office hours. In addition, I am a member of the Online System Scheduling Committee, Student Support Committee, Local Promotion Committee and Faculty Professional Activities Committee.
How long have you been with ACTC? Since January 1991 (29 years)
What are your favorite things about working at ACTC? I enjoy helping students improve their lives and working with friendly faculty and staff.
Special accomplishments while working at ACTC? First Among First - 2019 - Selected as the best instructor among every division at ACTC; Gussler Endowed Chair Award - 2015 - Awarded as the most inspirational instructor at ACTC
How would your co-workers describe you? A hard worker and dedicated professor who strives to do his best.
Who is your biggest role model and why? My biggest role model has always been Dr. John Lancaster, a professor from Marshall University. His teaching style, friendly attitude toward students and wiliness to always be helpful, inspired me to enter the field of mathematics, and later, become an instructor at the college level.
If the students I work with learn one thing, I hope it is… To be a good problem solver and apply what they learn in the real world.
How are you assisting students during the pandemic and what should students know about your area of service during this time? As an online professor, I would like my students to know that I am dedicated to their success and always offer my assistance on Blackboard Collaborate to help them understand and work through their course work. During these difficult times, I have contacted students more often to motivate and encourage them to complete their assignments and schedule study sessions on Blackboard Collaborate.
