ACTC Mother/Daughter Graduates
ACTC Basic Rider 1 Motorcycle Course
Get on the road this summer with motorcycle classes from Ashland Community and Technical College. Basic Rider I is for new riders and riders who want to improve their skills. Those who pass the Basic Rider 1 course can get a waiver for the motorcycle license skills tests in Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia.
The weekend course meets on Friday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Roberts Drive Campus and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the former Boyd County High School located at 12307 Midland Trail Road. Summer dates are June 17 to 19, July 15 to 17 and August 12 to 14.
Motorcycles and helmets will be provided, but participants may bring their own DOT-approved helmet. The fee is $110 for KY residents and $200 for OH or WV residents. To register, call ACTC Workforce Solutions at 606-326-2130 or email: as_workforce@kctcs.edu.
ACTC Basic Rider 2 Motorcycle Course
This one-day course is for experienced riders who want to hone riding techniques on their own motorcycles. Participants must provide proof of either a valid motorcycle permit or license as well as proof of insurance prior to the start of class.
Students must bring their own street legal cycle to the class as well as riding gear including DOT approved helmet and eye protection. Successful students earn the KY completion card that waives KY’s street performance test and a MSF card which may lower insurance rates.
The course is held June 26 and July 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 12307 Midland Trail Road. The fee is $75 for KY residents and $150 for OH or WV residents. To register, call ACTC Workforce Solutions at 606-326-2130 or email: as_workforce@kctcs.edu.
ACTC Employees Win KCTCS Awards
Three Ashland Community and Technical College employees have been recognized by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) for achievements in the 2015-2016 academic year. The three recipients share a focus on helping students succeed.
The Awards of Excellence recognize the leadership and significant achievements of an outstanding faculty member, administrative staff member and support staff member from each KCTCS College.
Jonathan Joy, Assistant Professor of English, received the Faculty Award. A Huntington resident, he grew up in the Burlington area and graduated from South Point High School. He has a Bachelor in Fine Arts Degree and a Master in Arts Degree from Marshall University.
Roxanne Neal, Health Sciences Division Assistant, received the Support Staff Award. An Ironton resident and native, she graduated from Ironton High School and ACTC. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Technical and Applied Studies from Ohio University Southern and is a Certified Microsoft Office Specialist.
Chrisha M. Spears, Workforce Solutions Specialist / Accelerating Opportunity Coordinator, received the Administrative Staff Award. An Ashland resident, she graduated from Boyd County High School and ACTC. She has a Bachelor of University Studies Degree from Morehead State University where she is currently working on a Master’s Degree in Adult and Higher Education,.
ACTC Mother/Daughter Graduates
A mother and daughter who graduated together from ACTC this month show the diversity of students who come to college to start on a career path or to start over.
The mother, Teresa Hern, an Argillite resident, started at ACTC in 2013 when her job went overseas. “Through the Unemployment Office, I learned about with the trade program that would pay for me to go to school,” she said. “This program paid for tuition, books and even gas money for mileage to the campus. I would have been silly not to take this opportunity.”
The Federal Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Act provides training/retraining assistance to workers who have lost their jobs as a result of foreign trade.
“I came to college to learn a new trade and hopefully get a job to make my retirement better,” Teresa said.
She earned an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Medical Information Technology and hopes to find a job in a medical office or facility.
The daughter, Kirbie J. Hern, now an Ashland resident, graduated from Greenup County High School in 2012. “I was never a person who enjoyed school and never thought about attending college until my senior year,” she said. “Then when all my friends went off to different universities and colleges, I decided to stay close to home and just give college a try.”
“I obviously enjoyed the college experience here, because I graduated,” Kirbie said. She earned an Associate in Arts Degree and plans to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work at the Morehead State University Ashland Campus.
Both mother and daughter appreciated the friendly staff, faculty and students they found at ACTC. But since nearly 40 years separate the mother and daughter, you would expect some differences in their college expectations and experiences.
“ACTC helps you get beyond high school,” said Kirbie. “I would recommend ACTC to anyone who wants to further their education or to students who are undecided about college. I would tell them, don’t judge college based on your high school experience, because it’s completely different. You’ll like it.”
“I had been out of school for 40 years and I was nervous and not sure what I was doing,” Teresa said. “The staff and faculty here understand what older students are going through, and help you at every step. Deciding to go back to school after 40 years was a scary thing, but in the long run, it was an amazing experience.”
The mother and daughter shared their feelings at Graduation with the messages they wrote on their graduation caps. “I did it” was Kirbie’s comment, and “It’s never too late” was Teresa’s.
ACTC Closed May 30
ACTC will be closed Monday, May 30, for Memorial Day. Regular office and class hours resume May 31.