DECEMBER 8, 2015
ACTC Named a 2016 Military Friendly® School
Ashland Community and Technical College has been designated a 2016 Military Friendly® School by Victory Media, the leader in successfully connecting the military and civilian worlds.
The Military Friendly® Schools designation and list by Victory Media provides service members with transparent, data-driven ratings about their post-military education and career opportunities.
“We are proud to be included in the list of military friendly schools,” said Craig Pleasant, ACTC Coordinator of Veterans Affairs. “Our mix of technical and transfer programs gives military and veteran students many viable options for transitioning into the workforce. We strive to provide advising and support services to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation.”
The Military Friendly® Schools designation is awarded to the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace military students and to dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom after graduation.
The designation process includes extensive research and a data driven survey of schools nationwide approved for Post-9/11 GI Bill funding. Institutions compete for the elite title by completing a survey of over 100 questions covering ten categories, including military support on campus, graduation and employment outcomes, and military spouse policies.
Survey responses are scored against benchmarks across these key indicators of success. In addition, data was independently tested by EY (Ernst & Young) based upon the weightings and methodology established by Victory Media with guidance from an independent Advisory Board of higher education and recruiting professionals.
ACTC will be showcased along with other 2016 Military Friendly® Schools in the annual Guide to Military Friendly® Schools, special education issues of G.I. Jobs® and Military Spouse Magazine, and on MilitaryFriendly.com.
The Veteran’s Office at ACTC coordinates Federal and state education benefit programs for veterans and eligible dependents. “We can assist veterans and dependents with their application for benefits, and we can certify their enrollment to the US Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Processing Office,” Pleasant said.
ACTC had 63 veterans and reservists and 24 dependents enrolled as students in classes this fall. A Veteran’s Center was established at the College Drive Campus, and one is being planned for the Technology Drive Campus to offer a place for veterans to spend their time between classes.
For information on veteran’s services at ACTC, contact Pleasant at 606.326.2275 or email craig.pleasant@kctcs.edu. Information is also available on ACTC website at ashland.kctcs.edu under Costs & Financial Aid.
ACTC Announces 4th Annual Science Fair
Area fourth to twelfth grade students are invited to participate in the 4th Annual FIVCO Area Science & Engineering Fair that will be held February 5 at the Ashland Community and Technical College Technology Drive Campus.
The students must be enrolled in public, parochial or home-based schools in Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup and Lawrence Counties in Kentucky.
Each student may enter one individual or group project, and team projects are limited to two student participants. There are five project category areas: Life Science, Mathematical Science, Chemistry, Engineering and Physics & Astronomy.
The required entry form, project information and a rules guideline booklet are online at: www.fivcosciencefair.com. “The registration deadline is not until January 23, 2016 but teachers and schools will need to be working on their projects now. Further, all interested students should visit the website to become familiar with the rules, judging criteria, and completion of approval forms.” Minter said.
For judging purposes, students will be grouped into three grade categories: grades 4-5, 6-8, and 9-12. All projects must meet INTEL and safety guidelines which are available at: www.societyforscience.org.
Winners in each category will receive a medal, and the first and second winners in each grade category will be automatically registered for the Regional Science and Engineering Fair held at Northern Kentucky University on February 20. Cash prizes will awarded through a grant from Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.
“Our partnership with Toyota is important in reaching out to students in the FIVCO area,” said Fair Director Logan Minter, an ACTC Math and Natural Science Instructor. “We would like every student to have the opportunity to discover the excitement of working with science and technology.”
Area organizations and businesses are invited to join Toyota in supporting the fair. For more information on the fair or to volunteer, contact Minter at logan.minter@kctcs.edu.
Electrical Technology Prepares for jobs
Graduates of the Electrical Technology Program at Ashland Community and Technical College work for just about every major industry in the area, according to Harold E. Henry, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator.
Students can prepare for entry-level positions in the building trades or industrial plants by choosing to complete either an Industrial Electrician diploma or a certificate for Residential Electrician, Electrician Apprentice or Electrician. The diploma and certificate credits can be applied to an Associate of Applied Science degree in General Occupational / Technical Studies.
Electrical Technology focuses on electrical theory and practical applications of that theory. Laboratory and classroom instruction includes electric code, motor controls and residential wiring.
“We teach safety in each aspect of instillation, testing, maintenance and repair,” said Harold Henry, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator. “In fact, the emphasis on safety is one of the program’s strengths.”
A second strength is that students are properly trained to do electrical work in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC). The NEC covers all aspects of electrical construction and operation and is the basis for most building codes and industry safety standards.
Electrical students are well prepared for the workplace according to their test scores. Last spring’s graduates, as a group, scored higher than the national and state averages on the national NOCTI assessment exam. The exam measures core competencies and skills that indicate successful learning.
A third strength of the program is that students learn on equipment that they will use on the job.
“Companies such as ABB, Inc. and US Bearing and Power Transmission Corp. have been very helpful to us over the years, not only with donations of cutting-edge equipment but with updates on new technologies that are being developed in the industry,” Henry said.
“Because our students can find jobs close to home, we believe that we are serving both individuals who seek skills for employment and area businesses who seek qualified employees,” Henry said.
Graduates are employed in the Tri-State area by AK Steel, Steel of WV, CSX, Calgon Carbon, American Electric Power, N&S Railroad, IBEW Local 575 at Portsmouth Ohio, Local 317 in Huntington WV, and local contractors such as AAA Electric, JMK Electric, Code Electric and Prichard Electric.
For more information on the Electricity Program, contact Henry at 606.326.2476 or email: harold.henry@kctcs.edu. December 28 is the application deadline for spring semester classes, and admissions forms are online at: ashland.kctcs.edu.
