SKCTC celebrates Cumberland students ‘Going Pro’ with new careers

Published on Apr 25, 2025

The statewide KCTCS “Going Pro” initiative continued this week on the Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College Cumberland campus, celebrating students and graduates committing to high-demand careers after graduation.

From left: Teresa Dotson, director of financial affairs at MCHC; Carla Sturgill, RN; Brandy Blair, RN; Yazmin Muse, RN; and Bennie McCall, SKCTC chief workforce officer. All four have accepted registered nurse positions with Mountain Comprehensive Health Corporation.

“We’ve always celebrated students who sign letters of intent to play sports,” said Dr. Patsy Jackson, SKCTC interim president and CEO. “But what about those going straight into the workforce? That’s what ‘Going Pro’ is all about—recognizing the achievements of students who are entering their careers, changing their lives and contributing to their communities.”

Among those honored were Carla Sturgill, Brandy Blair and Yazmin Muse, each graduating as registered nurses and beginning careers with Mountain Comprehensive Health Corporation. They were joined by MCHC’s Teresa Dotson, director of financial affairs, and Bennie McCall, chief workforce officer, to celebrate the occasion.

Riley Murphy has accepted a registered nurse position in the emergency department at HarlanARH. Lauren Short, ARH’s emergency room director, attended the ceremony in support.

From left: Riley Murphy, registered nurse at Harlan ARH, and Lauren Short, ARH emergency room director.


Two additional graduates will begin specialized roles in regional healthcare facilities. Allison Gilliam has accepted a position at Pikeville Medical Center, while Lydia Caballero will serve in the pediatric intensive care unit at the University of Kentucky.

Also recognized were SKCTC nursing students Sam Howard, Brittany Pace, Erica North and Ashley Massey. Howard, Pace and North have accepted RN positions on the fifth floor of Harlan ARH, which includes both medical-surgical and pediatric care. Massey will work on the fourth floor, dedicated to medical-surgical services.

“Going Pro” is sponsored by the Kentucky Community & Technical College System and the Kentucky Department of Education. SKCTC will also hold Going Pro events on the Knox and Middlesboro campuses.

From left: Allison Gilliam, registered nurse at Pikeville Medical Center and Lydia Caballero, registered nurse in the University of Kentucky pediatric intensive care unit.


During the 2023–24 academic year, nearly 95% of all KCTCS credentials awarded were in programs aligned with the state’s top five targeted industry sectors—advanced manufacturing, business/IT, construction/skilled trades, healthcare and transportation/logistics—or designed to transfer to a four-year university.

For more information, visit goingpro.kctcs.edu.

From left: Amber Keith, nurse manager for med-surg and pediatrics at Harlan ARH; Sam Howard; Brittany Pace; Erica North; Ashley Massey; and Scott Huff, nurse manager for med-surg at Harlan ARH.