MCTC supports Mason County URM program

Published on Feb 15, 2024

by Megan Smedley

When Mason County Schools could no longer participate in a program in Lexington that catered to regional youth of color, LaTressa Graham, school employee, took action.

Created in Spring 2023, the Black and Hispanics Scholars Program was formed to support Mason County teens of color pursue higher education and career goals.

Millicent Harding-Thomas, the Director of Cultural Diversity at Maysville Community and Technical College (MCTC), recognized the program's potential impact on these students' futures and sought MCTC's involvement.

“The Black and Hispanic Scholars Program has provided underrepresented minority students with opportunities to learn about college admissions, programs, minority scholarships, and building relationships with our college employees. Our MCTC employees have a passion for educating our youth and giving back to the community,” said Harding-Thomas. “Providing our underrepresented students with exposure to real-life experiences prepares them for success.”

To support the students, Harding-Thomas assembled a team of faculty and staff from various career clusters at MCTC to conduct workshops and informational sessions.

Volunteers from MCTC have included Harding-Thomas; Trevor Applegate, CIT instructor; Deanna Butler, Medical Assisting instructor; Tammy Burns, Practical Nursing instructor; Michelle Thoroughman, Medical Laboratory Technician instructor; Christina Sandoval, Adult Education; Sonja Frey, Rowan Campus-LPN student; Carrie Taylor, Adult Agriculture Specialist; Donnie Fryman- Health Science Technology program coordinator; and De’Sarae Perry, Director of Workforce Solutions.

The Office of Cultural Diversity at MCTC is committed to creating a campus environment that values the exploration, appreciation, and celebration of diversity, while promoting inclusiveness, multiculturalism, and global awareness by promoting collaborative relationships on campus and community partnerships.

Other recruiting programs allow collaboration between MCTC and Mason County Schools including Camp Hope for males of color, Super Someday College/Career Fair, Meet with College Staff Day, ACT prep, and a trip to Spring Creek Farm where students learned about growing methods in high tunnel structures.

For more information about URM programming at MCTC, email Harding-Thomas.