Southeast Names Students of the Month for October

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

Madelyn Haynes, Cumberland Campus
Frank Robinette, Harlan Campus
Michele Rapier, Middlesboro Campus
Whitney Mason, Pineville Campus
Jonathan Eldridge, Whitesburg Campus

On the Cumberland Campus, Madelyn Haynes of Baxter is pursuing her associate in arts degree with plans to graduate in 2021. Afterwards, she hopes to study psychology at a four-year institution. She says that she chose Southeast “because I could achieve my college goals while still having the comfort of being close to home.”

Frank Robinette will receive his associate degree in this December. He recently accepted a position at Cumberland River Comprehensive Care Center as a peer support specialist. According to Frank, Southeast has helped him reach his list of goals. Proud and appreciative, Frank says he looks forward to a bright future because of Southeast.

In 2019, Michele Rapier weathered her life’s “hardest season.” After her marriage ended in divorce and her home was completely destroyed by fire, she decided to regroup. She met with Southeast’s Rian Edwards and shared a few of her obstacles. “She not only assured me I could do it, but she inspired me to aim for the sky!” said Rapier. She calls the staff and instructors at Southeast “a Godsend.”

Respiratory care student Whitney Mason chose Southeast “to stay closer to my family and to take my time to choose a career and not be rushed into something I didn’t want to do.” She says was inspired by her grandmother, a registered respiratory technologist in Georgia and Southeast alumna.

Whitesburg’s Jonathan Eldridge is pursuing an associate in science with hopes to graduate next summer. He plans to eventually earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He says that he chose Southeast for its convenient location and affordable tuition.

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.

Mady Haynes posting outside in front of some green bushes. (Madelyn Haynes, Cumberland Campus Student of the Month)

Frank Robinette taking a photograph. There is a brick wall behind him. (Frank Robinette, Harlan Campus Student of the Month)

Michele Rapier doing school work at an office desk. (Michele Rapier, Middlesboro Student of the Month)

Whitney Mason posing with a lab coat outside of a campus building. (Whitney Mason, Pineville Campus Student of the Month)

Jonathan Eldgridge taking a selfie outside, under a small pavillion. (Jonathan Eldridge, Whitesburg Campus Student of the Month)