Meet Our Students
Tyler Ashton
Student Tyler Ashton believes the opportunities he’s been given at Owensboro Community
& Technical College have removed the ceiling from his future. He says, “Without an
education there’s a ceiling. With an education, you can do anything.” Tyler will graduate
this spring with an Associate in Applied Science in Advance Manufacturing Technology
degree. He is currently part of the GO FAME program, a work and learn model where
students earn a college degree while working at a sponsor company. Tyler is employed
at OMICO Plastics of Owensboro, a sponsor company of the GO FAME program, and plans
to pursue a degree in engineering after he graduates from OCTC. Ashton credits his
instructors, Katie Vincent, of OCTC’s Workforce Solutions, and OMICO Plastics Vice
President and GO FAME President, William K. Mounts, for helping him succeed. Tyler
was working for a local construction company when he decided to apply for the GO FAME
program and begin his journey at OCTC. He says “at the end of the day an education
will get me further than just working.”
Tyler is also a part of a group of students that are competing in the NASA Rover Challenge
in Huntsville, Alabama this spring. At this engineering design competition students
build a human-powered rover that travels over a half-mile obstacle course simulating
planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. The OCTC team will be the only community college
to participate in the event this year, and is comprised of students Tyler Ashton,
Leah Cravens, Sean Dysinger, Corey Marchand, and Amanda Snyder. Lead by OCTC faculty
member Shawn Payne, the team will participate in the event from March 30 – April 1.
Payne says, “This will not only be a great experience for them, but something they
can add to their résumé when they leave the college and join the workforce.” The students
have eight weeks to complete the construction of the rover and look forward to competing
in the challenge.
Hear Tyler talk about how grateful he is for the support he’s received from OCTC,
GO FAME, and OMICO Plastics. #octcproud
Aliyah Burden
This spring, at the age of 18, the inspiring Aliyah Burden is on track to earn a high
school diploma from Owensboro High School and an Associate in Science degree from
Owensboro Community & Technical College. Aliyah is part of the Early College program,
in which high school students attend college classes full-time, with the goal of earning
an associate degree and a high school diploma simultaneously. A first-generation college
student, Aliyah participates in OCTC’s TRiO program.
Aliyah faced many obstacles and hardships during her first year as a college student,
including a lack of transportation and a lack of internet to complete her coursework.
A resourceful young lady, Aliyah did not let those barriers prevent her from doing
well in her classes. She used the Owensboro Transit System for transportation and
spent many nights in local libraries studying and doing homework. Like many of OCTC
students, Aliyah needed a job to support herself. After completing Nurse Aide courses,
Aliyah got a job with a local nursing home at the age of 17. She now works as a CNA
and as a Peer Coach for OCTC’s TRiO Student Support Services program while attending
college full-time. She is also very active on campus as a member of the Student Government
Association, the Multicultural/Diversity club, and OCTC’s Student Board of Appeals.
TRiO Student Support Services offers academic and personal support for first-generation
college students, low-income students, and students with disabilities. Aliyah values
the help she has received from OCTC and believes without the assistance of TRiO Director
Jessica Cecil, and Director of the Office of Diversity, Lewatis McNeal, she would
not be as successful in obtaining her goals. Aliyah plans to attend the University
of Kentucky and later become a Cosmetic Surgeon. She has worked hard to achieve her
goals and is well on her way to a prosperous future.
Hear Aliyah’s emotional journey in her own words.
Mac Grieser
Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) alum Micaiah Grieser (Mac) was employed
as a team leader at a local manufacturing facility when he made the decision to pursue
a degree in a trade that would lead him to a rewarding career and ultimately change
his lifestyle.
Mac faced many personal obstacles while pursuing his education, including lack of
reliable transportation. As a determined student, he remained goal oriented and did
not give up on himself or his goals. His dedication and drive placed him on the Dean’s
list during the Fall 2016 and Spring 2017 semesters. Mac graduated in December 2017,
earning an Associate in Applied Science in Engineering & Electronics Technology degree,
an Associate in Applied Science in Electrical Technology degree, an Electrical Technology
Diploma, and several Electrical and Electronics certificates.
While attending OCTC, Mac was part of a team working to repair an electron microscope
that was previously donated to the Science Department at OCTC by the University of
Southern Indiana. Professor of Biology and Faculty Advisor for OCTC’s Phi Theta Kappa
chapter, Dr. Timothy Dick, enlisted the help of Marty Higdon, fellow instructor and
Assistant Professor of Electrical Technology, to troubleshoot the microscope. Marty
turned the task into an opportunity for his students to hone their skillset and gain
real world experience.
Mac used the unique experience and valuable knowledge he gained in his OCTC classes
to assist him in landing an internship during the summer of 2017 with GE Healthcare
as a Field Service Engineer, learning how to repair and maintain life-saving medical
equipment such as x-ray and radiography equipment. Mac graduated from OCTC on December
15, 2017 and started a full-time position with GE Healthcare on December 18, 2017.
