ACTC faculty, staff supporting student success

July 23, 20202

 

This is the 11th 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: Nedra Compton Fennell

City of Residence: Russell, Ky.

Education: Business School – Mayo State Vocational

Role(s) at ACTC and how you interact with students: Purchasing/accounts payable and cashiering. Students come to pay for tuition or other services – sometimes just to ask questions.

How long have you been with ACTC? This coming November will be 28 years.

What are your favorite things about working at ACTC? I work with some really great folks – it’s like having a second family. Helping the students any way I can. I have never been bored with my work.

Special accomplishments while working at ACTC? I consider it an accomplishment for each student or employee that I can help in any way. Sometimes it’s something that takes a bit of effort, maybe getting a student something they need help with, but sometimes it’s just being there to listen or give someone a smile or a word of encouragement.

How would your co-workers describe you? Oh my, well… maybe quiet. Hopefully caring and helpful, with a big heart. And loves Texas sheet cake and bacon. LOL.

Who is your biggest role model and why: A Sunday School teacher I had when I was young – Nada Sullivan, one of the kindest, sweetest souls ever. And my Dad – never would ask anybody for anything, he was always the one doing for others. He always had a smile or grin on his face and everybody loved him.

If the students I work with learn one thing, I hope it is… To enjoy and be thankful for each day you are given. To do everything to the best of your ability and you will be a success.

How are you assisting students during the pandemic and what should students know about your area of service during this time? Most of my job isn’t dealing/interacting with students but some have emailed me asking for help paying tuition and I was able to help them do that by paying online. Some I have put in touch with the correct person who would be able to help them with their need.

Name: Ralfred J. Hall

City of Residence: Ashland, Ky.

Education: Alice Lloyd College, BS, Math/Physical Science Secondary Education 1988; Morehead State University. MS, Vocational Education Supervision Administration 1993; MSU 18 graduate hours in mathematics for credentials satisfying SACS 2001.

Role(s) at ACTC and how you interact with students: Professor of math and physics.

How long have you been with ACTC? 32 years

What are your favorite things about working at ACTC? Working with and teaching our technical students. Interactions with our faculty and staff.

Special accomplishments while working at ACTC? Gussler Award 2014

How would your co-workers describe you? Entertaining

Who is your biggest role model and why: Dr. Daniel V Collins, Ed.D. He was the one person who talked me into teaching as a career.

If the students I work with learn one thing, I hope it is… How to apply math in their technical field.

How are you assisting students during the pandemic and what should students know about your area of service during this time? Working on math problems through phone and email.

Name: Terri Ratliff

City of Residence: Russell, KY

Education: BSN Marshall University 1993, MSN in Nursing Education 2019.

Role(s) at ACTC and how you interact with students: Practical Nursing program coordinator and associate professor. I teach nursing courses in the PN program, as well as in the LPN to RN bridge hybrid program.

How long have you been with ACTC? Ten years

What are your favorite things about working at ACTC? Getting to see students’ lives change as they achieve their dream of becoming a nurse. I love the team I work with and the opportunity to work with a diverse group of people who believe in changing lives through education.

Special accomplishments while working at ACTC? First Among Peers Award in 2018, Teaching Excellence Awards, Kentucky League of Nursing state award. I obtained my master’s degree in nursing education last year.

How would your co-workers describe you? Depends on who you ask! I think the ones who know me well would tell you I like to have fun and I believe in giving 110%.

Who is your biggest role model and why: My parents for sure. They taught me how to work hard and have good work ethic. My momma taught me about Jesus and my dad taught me to love music. They, and those things they taught me, have always been there for me. Could not ask for better parents.

If the students I work with learn one thing, I hope it is… never give up on your dream and don’t just be a nurse, be an AMAZING nurse.

How are you assisting students during the pandemic and what should students know about your area of service during this time? We transitioned our entire program, class, lab and clinical to an online format. My team has worked super hard to keep these students on track to graduate on time at the end of the summer session!