Owensboro Community and Technical College

OCTC Celebrates Student Achievement at 2026 Going Pro Transfer Signing Day

by Bernie Hale

Owensboro, KY (04/23/2026) — Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC) proudly celebrated student success and academic advancement during its 2026 Going Pro Transfer Signing Day, held April 14 in the Industry Innovation Center. The event recognized students who are continuing their educational journeys at four-year institutions while highlighting OCTC's strong partnerships with regional universities.

The Going Pro Transfer event honors students who are taking the next step toward their career goals by transferring to partner institutions to further their education and expand their opportunities.

Kentucky Wesleyan College (KWC), represented by Katherine Douglas, recognized Jayci Gabrielle Wallace, who is graduating from OCTC with an Associate in Arts degree and will transfer to KWC to pursue a degree in Accounting.

Western Kentucky University (WKU), represented by Dr. Derick Strode, Amy Watkins, and Jason Lowe, honored several outstanding students continuing their education. William John Augustine is graduating with an Associate in Applied Science in Business Administration and will transfer to WKU to major in Human Resource Management, one of the university's newest academic offerings.

Additional students recognized for their transfer achievements include:

Abbi Cox, graduating with an Associate in Arts with an emphasis in Social Work, who will transfer to WKU to pursue Social Work with the goal of becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Terryn Clyburn, earning an Associate in Applied Science in Computer & Information Technologies with a focus in Computer Programming, who plans to transfer and pursue a bachelor's degree in Information Technology with the goal of working in the healthcare field.

Alexis Driskell, graduating with an Associate in Science with an emphasis in Teacher Education, who will transfer to WKU to pursue a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education.

Linzy Sallee, earning an Associate in Arts with an emphasis in Social Work, who will transfer to WKU to continue her studies in Social Work, with plans to pursue her master's degree and become an LCSW.

The event highlighted the determination and perseverance of OCTC transfer students. Many faced challenges while balancing coursework with work, family responsibilities, and personal commitments. One student managed the demands of a full schedule while raising a family and working full-time, developing strong time management skills and resilience. Another navigated a major career transition, returning to college to pursue a new path and building the confidence needed to succeed in a technical field.

Students expressed gratitude to the faculty, advisors, and mentors who guided them throughout their journey. Advisors and instructors played a key role in helping students stay on track, explore career options, and prepare for a seamless transfer experience. Family members, friends, and workplace support systems were also recognized for their encouragement and belief in the students' success.

The Going Pro Transfer Signing Day reflects OCTC's commitment to creating clear pathways for student success beyond the associate degree. Through strong university partnerships, OCTC ensures that students are well-prepared to continue their education and achieve long-term career goals.

"The Going Pro Transfer event is a celebration of momentum and opportunity," said Dr. Scott Williams, President of OCTC. "These students have worked hard to reach this milestone, and now they are continuing their journey with purpose and confidence. Our partnerships with institutions like Kentucky Wesleyan College and Western Kentucky University create seamless pathways for our students to achieve even greater success. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and excited to see what they will achieve next."

For more information about OCTC programs or future Going Pro events email bernie.hale@kctcs.edu.

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.

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.

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