Students of the Month for March

Middlesboro, Pineville, Whitesburg, Cumberland, and Harlan, KY – Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKCTC) has named its Students of the Month for March 2020.

Taylor Smith, Pineville Campus
Courtney Ritchie, Whitesburg Campus
Jonathan Holbrook, Harlan Campus
Justin Hoskins, Middlesboro Campus
Sheyanna Gladson, Cumberland Campus

On the Pineville Campus, Respiratory Care student Taylor Smith is passionate about her chosen field. “I chose respiratory because I love to give back to the community! I am compassionate in helping those who are in need, especially in a time like now,” she said.

Courtney Ritchie, a second-year Respiratory Care student on the Whitesburg Campus, says that she chose Southeast because the faculty and staff “put the students’ needs before their own and focus on our strengths. Not only do they provide us with an excellent education, but with excellent tools to get through everyday life. I truly believe I made the best decision when choosing Southeast.”

Displaced coal miner Jonathan Holbrook found his path on the Harlan Campus. Looking for an alternative way to support his wife and son, he enrolled in his first college classes during the winter session. “Southeast has made it a smooth transition for me,” he said. Jonathan hopes to begin the Respiratory Care Program this fall.

Middlesboro’s Justin Hoskins was also laid off from his mining job. He is a sophomore who plans to become a teacher, and he says he chose Southeast because it was important to stay close to home.

Nineteen-year-old Sheyanna Gladson is enrolled in her second semester at Southeast, and she says she “couldn’t be happier” with her choice. She plans to graduate in December with her associate in arts and applied sciences and enter the Physical Therapist Assistant program. “I chose Southeast because I wasn’t exactly sure of what I wanted to do or what career would suit me best. This school has supported me in more ways than I thought they could. The work study program has helped me tremendously, and I’m thankful for all the opportunities this school has,” she said.

Each SKCTC campus has a Student of the Month selection committee appointed by its campus director. In making its choice, the committee weighs criteria such as academic performance, extracurricular activities, work ethic, helpfulness to others, and whether the student has had to overcome significant barriers in achieving academic success.

A photo of Taylor Smith, female, smiling in her respiratory care scrubs.

(Taylor Smith, SKCTC Pineville Campus Student of the Month)

A photo of Courtney Ritchie, a female, smiling while wearing respiratory care scrubs.

(Courtney Ritchie, SKCTC Whitesburg Campus Student of the Month)

Jonathan Holbrook smiling for winning the March Student of the Month.

(Jonathan Holbrook, SKCTC Harlan Campus Student of the Month)

Justin Hoskins, a male, is posing outside and smiling. He earned the student of the month award for March.

(Justin Hoskins, SKCTC Middlesboro Campus Student of the Month)

Sheyanna Gladson earned the student of the month award for March. She is smiling outside next to a roll of hay or straw.

(Sheyanna Gladson, SKCTC Cumberland Campus Student of the Month)