Ranburger Named OCTC Pathfinder of the Year Award Winner for 2025
OCTC representatives, McLean County High School administration, friends, and family surprised High School Guidance Counselor Caitlin Ranburger with the award on Friday, May 23
Owensboro, KY (05/28/2025) — Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC) is proud to announce that Caitlin Ranburger, Guidance Counselor at McLean County High School, has been named the 2025 OCTC Pathfinder of the Year.
Established by the Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS), the Pathfinder of the Year Award recognizes high school teachers and counselors for their exceptional efforts in supporting students' college and career goals. Each of the 16 KCTCS colleges selects one recipient annually.
Ranburger, who has been nominated every year since the award's inception, was surprised with the honor during a presentation at McLean County High School on the morning of Friday, May 23. OCTC President Dr. Scott Williams presented the award alongside members of OCTC's Student Affairs and Marketing teams, MCHS administrators, and Ranburger's family and friends.
"Ms. Ranburger exemplifies what it means to be a Pathfinder," said Dr. Scott Williams, OCTC President. "Her passion, commitment, and tireless support for students are inspiring. We deeply value our partnership with McLean County High School, and Caitlin's impact on her students and her school community makes her a remarkable choice for this award."
A McLean County High School alumna herself, Ranburger holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Brescia University, and both a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Master of Arts in School Counseling from the University of the Cumberlands. She began her career in education in 2016 as a substitute teacher, then taught 8th grade English/Language Arts at McLean County Middle School before transitioning to her current role as the sole guidance counselor at MCHS.
Ranburger's colleague and close friend Shannon Wood nominated her for the award, writing, "She celebrates her students' strengths and knows our students are worth the extra effort and always makes them feel confident they have the best plan for their future in motion. She never minds spending extra time meeting with students and reviewing their options."
Ranburger shared her appreciation for the recognition, saying, "It is truly an honor just to have been nominated for this award. I am shocked to have been selected, as I know that so many educators are equally deserving, but I am also extremely appreciative for the recognition. McLean County is a special place, and we have great kids here. They deserve people in their lives that are advocating for them and doing all that they can to help them be successful."
When asked about her proudest achievements at MCHS, Ranburger responded, "Receiving the OCTC Pathfinder of the Year Award for 2025 feels like my biggest success so far!"
In her role, Ranburger coordinates all course scheduling for students and manages dual credit enrollment with OCTC. She also provides vital support in navigating financial aid and scholarship opportunities, including FAFSA guidance, KHEAA resources, and the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship program.
"It seems like a never-ending process at times, so I am so appreciative of the staff at OCTC and all their help and patience with me," she added.
Ranburger is also a strong advocate for mental health initiatives. This year, she helped implement the Teen Mental Health First Aid program with MCHS freshmen-making the school the first traditional high school in Kentucky to train an entire class in the program.
Dedicated to keeping students and families informed, she uses social media to share information on scholarships, summer programs, clubs, and more. Above all, she never misses a chance to celebrate her students' successes.
OCTC congratulates Caitlin Ranburger on being named the 2025 Pathfinder of the Year. Her dedication, compassion, and tireless advocacy for students exemplify the spirit of this award.
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Owensboro Community & Technical College is one of the sixteen community and technical colleges that make up the Kentucky Community & Technical College System. OCTC serves the KY counties of Daviess, Hancock, Ohio and McLean. OCTC has three campuses in Daviess County and a Center and Annex in Hancock County. OCTC strives to serve the communities in the service area by providing associate degree education for transfer, state of the art technical education for students focusing on entering the workforce, customized business and industry solutions through the Workforce Solutions division, and adult education and business and industry testing through the SkillTrain unit.
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The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is the Commonwealth's largest postsecondary institution with 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses. We also are Kentucky's largest provider of workforce training and online education. Through partnerships with business and industry, we align our programs to meet the needs of local employers. We help students fulfill their dreams of creating a better life through programs that lead directly to jobs or help them transfer to one of our four-year partners.
Connect with OCTC: Owensboro.kctcs | Facebook.com/owensboroctc | Twitter@OCTC_Tweets | Instagram OwensboroCTC
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Dr. Scott Williams, OCTC president presents the 2025 OCTC Pathfinder of the Year Award to McLean County High School guidance counselor, Caitlin Ranburger
Owensboro Community and Technical College
Katie Powers, 270-922-6040, katie.powers@kctcs.eduShare this Story
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