Local student finds success through MCTC partnership
Published on Apr 29, 2025
By Rachel Adkins
Maysville Community and Technical College is pleased to partner with local businesses
to help students succeed in the workforce, introducing them to many opportunities
close to home.
Stacey Tackett, 44, is a student on the MCTC Montgomery Campus who entered the Ready to Work (RTW) program in hopes of creating a better life for her family.
Currently, Tackett holds three certificates from MCTC and is seeking an associate in applied science in human services. Beginning her journey with MCTC in 2009, Tackett recently returned to the place where she felt most comfortable.
“I enjoyed the classes and wanted to finish out where I started,” Tackett remarked.
Now, Tackett is employed with the Mt. Sterling – Montgomery County Economic Development & Chamber of Commerce and fulfills administrative and office duties on the economic development side of the business.
Some of her responsibilities include event management, legislative breakfasts, ribbon cuttings, following up with members and other similar tasks.
Her employer, Jason Rainey, executive director for the organization, remarked on its relationship with MCTC.
“Having MCTC in Mount Sterling is everything. Our mission (in the area) is to be able to work on behalf of the local government and the citizens to grow the community and attract and retain employment opportunities. Having MCTC here is huge for that,” Rainey said.
The Mt. Sterling – Montgomery County Economic Development & Chamber of Commerce serves five counties, with about 72,000 people coming to the area for trades and other opportunities in the community.
“They’re (people) coming here for work, church, hospital, shopping, eating, recreation. Anything we can do to grow those jobs, we’re trying to do that,” he explained.
He related that idea to MCTC’s RTW program and internship opportunities.
“We’ve got so much of the academic training, but opportunities are so tied to networking and community involvement. We kind of bring both of those together through that internship program. Anyway to get MCTC students plugged in, happy to do it,” Rainey remarked.
Rachel Randle, a liaison in the Workforce Solutions department at MCTC, discussed her relationship with Tackett and the organization.
“I met Stacey when she was working the front desk at the Montgomery Campus. When I saw her completing her normal duties, it was obvious that she was often taking on additional duties and making herself as helpful to incoming students and on campus staff as possible. Her work ethic and strong customer service skills stuck out to me,” Randle said.
In her position, Randle regularly works with the Mt. Sterling – Montgomery County Economic Development & Chamber of Commerce for various purposes. She said, “Jason and his team are incredible in the way they offer so much to our community.”
When Rainey indicated his interest in hosting MCTC students through an internship, Randle immediately thought of Tackett, who could only benefit from meeting industry leaders in the county and joining the organization.
“I am so proud of this partnership between MCTC Workforce Development and the Mt. Sterling – Montgomery County Economic Development & Chamber of Commerce and hope to continue this internship opportunity with future MCTC students,” Randle said. “It allows other employers to see the benefits of offering similar internships to MCTC students in the future.”
