OCTC New Employees

by Bernie Hale

Owensboro, KY (02/11/2021) — Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC) is proud to announce these new employees joining the institution.

Tina Munoz, is the academic program facilitator, for the Workforce Solutions department at the Downtown Campus. Celestina "Tina" Muñoz was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ, she lived in Mexico from 4th-7th grade. Tina was a TRIO graduate, participating in TRIO both at her local community college (South Mountain) where she received her AA and AGS and at the university level after transferring. After completing her undergraduate work, Tina began her Master's in Higher Educatoin program.

Dr. Michael Frasso, chemistry instructor, is originally from western Pennsylvania and earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Youngstown State University in 2012. He then moved to the University of Pittsburgh for his graduate work, completing his Masters in Organic Chemistry in 2014 on developing new calcium channel agonists as potential treatments for Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome. He recently completed his Ph.D. on new synthetic methods in organic chemistry. For the last two years, Michael has been performing organic chemistry research at West Virginia University, as well as teaching chemistry courses.

David Wilson, art instructor, program coordinator, and Dayman Art Gallery director. He is originally from Lockport, IL, David D. Wilson received his MFA in Painting from Illinois State University, a BA in Fine Art and Design from Columbia College in Chicago, and an Associate Degree in Art from Joliet Junior College. Most recently, David was Gallery Director for the Salem Art Association in Oregon and taught community education art courses for Oregon Coast Community College. He has participated in over 100 art exhibitions across the nation, conducted grant funded research, and organized fundraising efforts for various art organizations.

Richard Hall, assistant professor, and program coordinator for engineering technology. He earned an AS in Electrical Engineering Technology and a BS in Electronic Engineering Technology from West Virginia Institute of Technology and a MS in Information Systems from Marshall University.Hall has worked for The National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Verizon Communications, WVA Manufacturing and Constellium. Previous teaching experience includes serving as professor and program coordinator of Electrical Engineering Technology and chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering department for Bridgevalley Community and Technical College in West Virginia.

Gage Cameron, robotics and automation instructor, is an OCTC alum who graduated with two associate degrees. He is currently attending Western Kentucky University in pursuit of a master's degree. He is a graduate of Daviess County High School and has worked as an electrical maintenance technician and an engineering tech.

Jessica Cecil, academic program facilitator for the Perkin's grant, is a former TRIO director. She is an OCTC alumna and a graduate from both Kentucky Wesleyan College and Western Kentucky University.

Mallory Leucht, student financial aid specialist, is an Owensboro native. A graduate of OCTC with and Associate of Science who continued her education by obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree from KWC. Leucht serves as the marketing director for the Kids Football League. She previously worked in admissions and financial aid at KWC for 5 years and is currently employed as a Resident Director.

Thomas Bates, welding instructor an OCTC alum, born and raised in Ohio County. At the age of 17, he dropped out of high school, earned his GED, and joined the Army. Bates served in the Army from 2004 until 2015. During this time he served three tours of duty. The first two in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the third in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2015, he was medically retired due to injuries sustained while deployed. Bates moved back to Kentucky, where he returned to school at OCTC and earned two Associate in Applied Science degrees in 2017 and 2019, and began his welding career. He is currently working toward a Bachelor's in Engineering Technology Management.

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