The Oklahoma Career and Technical Education Equity Council honored 15 Oklahomans and three businesses and organizations at the 30th annual Making It Work Day at the Capitol on March 6.
Making It Work Day recognizes nontraditional students and individuals who are committed to removing barriers to success for single-parent families by providing educational experiences for students beyond the classroom. The ceremony was held at The Credit Union House of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City.
Outstanding Graduate recipients were Victoria Wilson, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology; Chelsea Wilson, Tulsa Technology Center; Cody McMullen, Northern Oklahoma College; Jessica Webster, Canadian Valley Technology Center; Dynah Schlusser, OSUIT; Alisa West, Moore Norman Technology Center; and Tommi-Jean Bomboy, Southwest Technology Center.
Making It Work Day Spotlight Award recipients were Francis Colombin, OSUIT; Patty Lester, Northern Oklahoma College; and Gloria Wallace, Gordon Cooper Technology Center.
Outstanding Instructor recipients were Todd Hendrickson, Moore Norman Technology Center, and David Nguyen, Carl Albert State College.
Outstanding Business and Industry Partner recipients were Carl Holt, Katner-Mills Motor Supply of Grove, and Joe Austin, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Food and Resource Center in Moore.
Outstanding Community Partner recipients were Matthew Wood, Baptist Village of Okmulgee; Hope Parenting Ministry in Enid; Native American-Serving Non-Tribal Institutions in Poteau; and Diversion Hub in Oklahoma City.
“Making It Work Day is one of my favorite award ceremonies, as it allows for those graduates, community partners and instructors who have excelled to be recognized for their hard work,” said KayTee Niquette, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families coordinator at Oklahoma CareerTech. “It is an event that is traditionally held at Oklahoma’s state Capitol, but regardless of location, our awardees are allowed to shine.
“Listening to the stories of many who accept their awards is nothing but inspirational, and OkCTEEC is very excited to host this event once again, so that special projects programs with both the Oklahoma Department of Career and Education Technology and Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education might be highlighted.”
Niquette serves as an adviser for OkCTEEC, along with Jennifer Bielli of Oklahoma Human Services and Gina McPherson of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
“On behalf of OkCTEEC we are very excited to celebrate another year of Making It Work Day,” said Robin Shambaugh, OkCTEEC president and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College Journey 2 Success Delaware County coordinator. “It is our privilege to honor and recognize our outstanding graduates, instructors and business and industry partners along with our community and agency partners across the state of Oklahoma. We would like to congratulate our students and partners for their determination, hard work and dedication this year.”
OkCTEEC is affiliated with the administrative division of the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education. The council advocates for students pursuing nontraditional careers and for resources for educating single parents.
OkCTEEC’s purposes include promoting and supporting career and technology education, increasing its effectiveness, promoting research in the field and in educational equity, developing leadership and advocating for equity and diversity.
For more information about OkCTEEC, visit https://www.okcteec.com/. For more information about the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, visit www.okcareertech.org.
