Report from Ashland Community and Technical College (continued):

In my last report, I described my trip to Ashland, Kentucky, and my arrival at the institution where Angeline Dvorak, former Vice President for Research and Economic Development at the University of Southern Mississippi, held tenure as president. When Angie was president, the school was called “Ashland Community College,” but it merged with Ashland Technical College in 2003. ACTC actually has three campuses, one of which is the former ATC. The third is the “Technology Drive Campus” at East Park in Grayson, Kentucky--perhaps the residents of Grayson are golfing less than they used to.

But since my reconnaissance mission was to find Angie’s roots and the source of the controversy this spring, I confined my visit to the main campus. I can report, however, that because Angie’s former school now includes ATC, it has been able to increase its course offerings substantially. It now offers diplomas in air conditioning, automotive technology, carpentry, cosmetology, culinary arts, diesel technology, electrical technology, fire and rescue technology, welding, and other areas. (I was particularly interested in finding out if they offer a course on “rescuing” the large state university from its administration, but no.) Ashland offers a variety of business courses, but as best as I could tell, none called “economic development.”

Ashland is also offering college credit to local high school students in a “Dual Enrollment Program” in which they “earn both college and high school credits for the same course.” Fall courses are being offered at Lawrence County and Greenup County High Schools. (Take note, Shelby. This would be another way to get the enrollment up to 20,000, and you won’t even have to build extra dorms.) The program may also explain the Ashland car I found in the parking lot with a big “student driver” sign on it. This was useful hiding spot for me while photographing the campus.

One would think with the large variety of courses ACTC offers, that they would have cornered the market on higher education in the region. But right across the street from the campus is a billboard advertising courses at a regional branch of Ohio University across the river. It says “Upgrade your degree” (the implication being, “pump your resume!”)

The “College Drive Campus” that I visited has two buildings: the main one, which I showed you in the last report, and a second smaller building attached by a breezeway. This is the home of the “Center for Community, Workforce and Economic Development” (obviously Kentucky doesn’t have a high profile senator to name it after). I did note that the rest of the building held the library, which is, of course, the true center of an educational institution. In the lobby of the main building is a framed copy of Ashland’s “Vision Statement.” The college “provides life-long learning for a diverse community. Our purpose and goal is higher education. We provide an open, comprehensive, and quality educational experience that is affordable and accessible. We believe that today’s education enhances tomorrow’s living.” I was surprised that Ashland’s vision does not involve moving forward.

Here are the photos (Mr./Ms. Link, would you be so kind? I'm only an interim adjunct and can't figure out how to make the link hot.)

http://www.geocities.com/cooleyadjunct/ACTCphotos2.html

Next time--the office of the president!

Sincerely,
Interim Adjunct Risk Manager