OCTC Opens Pathfinder Den

Utilizing Success Coach Model

by Bernie Hale

Owensboro, KY (09/23/2019) — Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC) has opened a new student success center aptly named, the Pathfinder Den. OCTC's Pathfinder Den is filled with select personnel focused on helping students achieve their educational goals and helping them manage barriers to ensure completion in a timely manner.

"So many of our students get sidetracked along the way, the Pathfinder Den is a collaborative team environment conducive to student interaction" added Dr. Andrea Borregard, OCTC's Dean of Student Affairs who oversees the Pathfinder Den.

The Pathfinder Den staff includes four new positions called Success Coaches. The Success Coach positions are assigned students by program area to ensure that they have a strong knowledge base about program requirements and advising. The Success Coaches work with the program faculty to recruit, retain and support students as they move through the program.

The Success Coaches include: Courtney Bridges, Sharmy Davis, Jan Goldman and Ceary Thomas.

Courtney Bridges, Success Coach - Skilled Trades & Public Service Programs Courtney Bridges began working as a Financial Aid Assistant at OCTC in 2017 and accepted the Success Coach position in September of 2019. She earned her Associate in Arts from OCTC in 2012, a bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership from WKU in 2018 and is currently pursuing her master's degree.

Prior to joining OCTC's financial aid team, she worked as a Support Team Coach at the Wendell Foster Campus and a caregiver at Comfort Keepers. Bridges provides academic and transitional support applicable to all aspects of a student's life: academic, personal, social, and career. In addition to some recruiting responsibilities, her goal is to empower students to get from where they are now to where they want to be.

Sharmy Davis, Success Coach - Associate in Arts, Sciences and Fine Arts Prior to coming to OCTC Davis was an event manager for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. She holds a bachelor's degree in History from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, a master's degree in Public Administration from Eastern Kentucky University, and an master degree in Business Administration from Midway University.

She moved to Owensboro with her husband in January 2019. She also has experience as a College and Career Advisor for GEAR UP Kentucky working with students and their families to make meaningful connections between college and career options. Davis assists students with overcoming academic/personal barriers, provides general and transfer advisement, and career planning in addition to some recruiting responsibilities.

Jan Goldman, Success Coach - Allied Health Programs Goldman's prior experience includes four-plus years at Kentucky Wesleyan College working in Student Services and Residence Life where she worked to ensure students had a vibrant and rewarding co-curricular experience while on campus. Prior to coming to Kentucky, she taught high school English and Language Arts classes as well as working as a substitute teacher in many locations while moving with her family due to military transfers.

Goldman holds a bachelor's degree in English/Language Arts and Political Science from Virginia Tech and a graduate certificate in Career Services from Western Kentucky University where she is also completing her master's degree in Education and Behavioral Science Studies. In addition to recruiting responsibilities, Goldman will help students develop an individualized plan for their academic, professional, and personal success. She educates students about college/community resources and serves as a compass to help them navigate obstacles and barriers to reach their goals.

Ceary Thomas, Success Coach - Advanced Manufacturing & Transportation Technologies In addition to some recruiting responsibilities, Thomas will provide success coaching services working closely with students in all advanced manufacturing disciplines to help them explore and prepare for career and academic success. Thomas earned an associate degree from OCTC and is currently pursuing a bachelor/master's degree in Leadership from WKU. She holds professional certifications in Basic Life Support and First Aid.

Most recently Thomas served OCTC as a marketing and student affairs specialist. Prior to that she was the administrative assistant for the Humanities division. Thomas assists students with overcoming academic/personal barriers, provides general advisement, and career planning. She provides tours for potential students interested in Advanced Manufacturing and Transportation programs and coordinates recruiting opportunities with program coordinators.

Also serving as an integral part of the success centered staff of the center are master advisors Amanda Blohm-Thompson, Mary Kinney, and Katie Ballard who also coordinates career planning and transfer initiatives. Associate Dean Dr. Ade Oredein leads the OCTC diversity plan and coordinates the international students.

Katie Ballard, Career and Transfer Coordinator Ballard has worked at OCTC since December of 2001. Her job duties include career counseling, academic advising, and providing transfer services for students interested in working toward a bachelor degree. Prior to that Ballard worked as a career counselor and advisor at Rowan Cabarrus Community College in Salisbury, North Carolina for seven years. Other career experiences included a Resident Director for Saint Leo College at England Air Force Base, a Resident Hall Director at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, and Counselor at Morehead State University.

Ballard's favorite part of her career is helping students discover their potential and navigating their education and career options.She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a master's in Higher Education/Student Personnel Services from Western Kentucky University.

Amanda Blohm-Thompson, Academic Advisor Blohm-Thompson first came to OCTC in 2008 as an adjunct instructor teaching religious studies and has also taught at Henderson Community College and Western Kentucky University (WKU)-Owensboro campus.

She holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in History and Religious Studies from WKU and a master's degree in Religious Studies from Indiana University.

Blohm-Thompson joined Pathfinder Den in 2018 and does academic and transfer advising. She is also a Success Coach at Henderson Community College for the HCC FAME program.

Mary Kinney, Coordinator of Academic Affairs/Retention Kinney started at OCTC in 2001 as a Discover College mentor, she has held various positions in student and academic affairs. In her current role as Coordinator of Academic Affairs she focuses on retention. Kinney also teaches as an adjunct faculty member for OCTC. She has a Master of Arts in Education from Western Kentucky University (WKU), a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from WKU, and an Associate in Applied Science degree in Human Services from Henderson Community College. Kinney is an elected member of the KCTCS Board of Regents representing statewide staff.

Dr. Ade Oredein, Associate Dean of Student Affairs At OCTC since 2018, Dr. Ade Oredein is the Director of Diversity and International Student Services for OCTC. He is a proud Nigerian American from Reform, Mississippi. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work with a minor in Sociology, a master's degree in Secondary Education and Counseling from Alcorn State University and his doctorate from Mississippi State University is in Community College Leadership and Administration with an emphasis on student retention.

He came to OCTC with over 9 years higher education experience and his motto is, "Educating minds and changing lives." Dr. Oredein also serves an academic advisor for probationary students.

Heading up the Pathfinder Den team is Dr. Andrea Borregard who comes to the Den with more than 10 years of financial aid and advising experience, ensuring the quality of advising in the Den.

Dr. Andrea Borregard, Dean of Student Affairs Leading the Pathfinder Den is Dr. Andrea Borregard, Dean of Student Affairs. In this position, she provides leadership, management, and oversight of financial aid, centralized advising, including career planning and placement, and recruitment, with a focus on adult and diverse students. Borregard is an Owensboro native who began her career at OCTC in the Financial Aid Office in 2007. In 2016, she was named as the as the Director of Financial Aid. Prior to that she managed the Barnes & Noble College Bookstore at Henderson Community College, had been a Community Development Planner for GRADD, and served as a Government Relations Assistant in Washington, D.C.

Borregard earned a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Kentucky in Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation, a Master of Arts degree from the University of Louisville in Higher Education Administration and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Kentucky in Political Science.

Dr. Borregard is also the point of contact for the Pathfinder Pantry. Created this year, OCTC's Pathfinder Pantry is for students with food insecurities. OCTC has also partnered with the Owensboro Transit System to offer OCTC students free access to bus transportation.

OCTC President Dr. Scott Williams added, " We want to continue to focus on removing barriers for students to enroll and complete their educational goals. Our goal is to improve the quality of life for those in our region and by increasing degree attainment and transfer we will have a lasting impact on that goal."

OCTC's Pathfinder Den is located in the lower level of the Campus Center. Operating hours are Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Evening hours are by appointment.

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