MCTC confers degrees at commencement ceremony

Published on May 20, 2026

Maysville Community and Technical College recently held its 57th annual commencement ceremony at the Mason County Fieldhouse in Maysville.

Students who participated in the ceremony completed their credentials in Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026. 

The ceremony opened with invocation, given by Professor Tara Thornberry, Faculty Emerita.

Following invocation, MCTC President/CEO Dr. Laura McCullough and MCTC Board of Directors Chair Jason Slone welcomed attendees to the ceremony before presenting the President’s Award of Excellence, given to four graduating students. 

This years’ recipients were Ella Fulton (Licking Valley Campus), Jade Mullen (Maysville Campus), Andrea Gibson (Montgomery Campus), and Samantha Sanders (Rowan Campus).

Fulton, Gibson, and Sanders gave remarks to their fellow graduates before the presentation and conferring of degrees. 

“I think I speak for all of us when I say the level of support I have found during my time at MCTC has been exceptional,” Fulton said. “I have learned that success is not an individual feat. All our accomplishments are made possible by those in the background, believing in our capabilities and helping us realize our potential. “

Gibson said, “Every accomplishment I’ve achieved since I first stepped onto campus, and every win I have in the years to come, is built upon a foundation. It is a foundation laid by these wonderful people who never stopped cheering for me, and who remain fiercely committed to seeing every one of us succeed.”

She continued, “Success is never a solo act; it is a collaborative masterpiece. So, when I, and the rest of us, eventually take the world by the horns, we’ll all have MCTC and this incredible community to thank.”

During her remarks, Sanders focused on her experiences balancing her home, work, and school life.

“I used to think dreams were for other people. For people who had more time, more stability, more of everything I felt like I didn’t have. But I’ve learned something powerful through this journey: dreams don’t belong to a certain kind of person. They belong to the ones who keep showing up, even when it’s hard. And I am still here. Still showing up. Still becoming,” she said. “Now I can see a future that is bigger than my circumstances. A future that is full of possibility, not limitation. A future that I am actively walking toward, even if I’m doing it one step, one day at a time.”

Following their remarks, graduates were presented by Dr. Dana Calland, vice president of Academic Services, and degrees were conferred by McCullough. 

Members of the class of 2026 are listed below in order of their county of residence. Names listed more than once indicate that a student was recognized for more than one credential.

Adams, Ohio

Karson Reaves

Bath

Brandi Sallee, Rebecca Presley, William Staton, Brittany Sparks, Thelma Penix, Robert Purvis, Rebecca Razor, Chelsey Thomas, Amanda Patrick, Amanda Patrick, Joshua Terry, Brittany Hayes, Christa Jamison, Jenerose Richards, Jade Bryant, Briana Cross, Jillian Brown, Jillian Brown, Gracie Shiels, Hannah Copher, Kaitlyn Donathan-Haney, Zachary Lloyd, Zachary Lloyd, Hunter Mcclure, Burton Cox, Catherine Conkright, Catherine Conkright, Braxton Wilson, Whitney Wilson, Klay Oatman, Salena Ferguson, Cameron Caskey, Cameron Caskey, Emmaleigh Buckner, Emmaleigh Buckner, Megan Arnett, Lucius Lykins, Lucius Lykins, Bryce Mccarty, Stephanie Deel, Stephanie Deel

Bourbon

Melissa Bishop, Jennifer Moore, Jacob Lea, Kimbre Boyers, Joseph Evans, Joseph Evans, Patrick Mitchell, Brooklynn Sargent, Carlee Krigel, Micah Olson

Bracken

Lindsey Brown, Kylee Poore, Adam Tucker, Desiree Haight, Desiree Haight, Katrina Mills, Jessica Morris, Garrett Groves, Garrett Groves, Courtney Dodson, Jonathan McConnell, Isabella Jamison, Macie Sharp, Emily Evans, Kennadi Kirk, Kennadi Kirk, Kennadi Kirk, Damon Bryant, Logan Williams, Connor Snapp, Connor Snapp, Arista French, Madisonn Wenz, Gislaine Riley, Gislaine Riley, Joetta Carpenter, Mariah Carpenter, Shayla Konerman, Shayla Konerman, Braydon Appleman, Cayden Williams, Makenzie Rudd, Ella Burton, Ashley Stafford, Nadia Rabadi

Breathitt

Alexandria Cockerham, Ashley Stewart, Ashley Stewart, Eric Hall

Brown, Ohio

Richelle Tolle, Erin Brownlee, Aliyah  Tenkotte, Kaitlyn Lambert, Austin Allen, Riley Finn, Pattariya Oberschlake, Kyle Stark

Campbell

Rebecca Chinn, Rebecca Chinn, Kaileb Vickers

Carter

Janice Shepherd, Jessie Conn, Courtney Carroll, Katrina Jordan, George Smith II, Francis Caudill, Rhiannon Mcdavid, Rhiannon Mcdavid, Katelyn Cochran, Wendy Fultz, Wendy Fultz, Wendy Fultz, Charles Haskett, Charles Haskett, Amanda Conn, Amanda Conn, Alexandra Bradley, Summer Slone, Summer Slone, Nile France, Dalton Clark, Dalton Clark, Shelby Jordan, Marivic Oney, Marivic Oney

Clark

April Wilson, Kirsten Hurst, Joey Sanzone, Brooklyn Richmond, Raegan Gregory, Raegan Gregory, Talen Spargo, Ashlynn Smithpeter, Ramsey Morris, Annabella Curran

Elliot

Michelle Oney, Tracy Barker, Amber Hickman

Estill

Amber Landsaw

Fayette

Tracy Whobrey, Heather Banda, Shelley Frost, Tangy Wade, Samantha Wade, Julia Muehlbauer, Lizette Gerding, Victoria Nader, Victoria Nader, Michael Warner 

Fleming

Christina Schulz, Alberta Robinson, Matthew Campagna, Nina Barrett, Savanna Rife, Savanna Rife, Amberly Napier, Bradley McIntyre, Bradley McIntyre, Bradley McIntyre, Victoria Elam, Beverly Hollar, Beverly Hollar, Hope Earlywine, Kayla Earlywine, Molly Keaton, Blake Hawkins, Erica Garcia, Jamie Purdon, Brittany Mccoy, Taylor Botkin, Taylor Botkin, Steven Harmon, Lauren Moore, Katherine Skaggs, Jordan Dials, Jordan Dials, Kasey Keesling, Carter Doyle, Carter Doyle, Karlee Mckee, Alexis Sanchez, Alexis Sanchez, Emma Muse, Jada Barnes, Adam Hamilton, Adam Hamilton, Garrett Mueller, Heather Reeder, Kayla Story, Tyia Taylor, Madison Koehler, Breanna Watkins, Curtis Barker, Emily Ignacio, Jessica Kidwell, Jeffery Moore, Tyler Patton, Braydon Mckee, Braydon Mckee, William Cooper, William Cooper

Greenup

Jerry Callihan, Rachel Caudill

Hardin

Shadrach Peeler

Harrison

Jaime Hammond, Christina Withers, Melissa Perkins, Laina Maldonado, Mikal Tucker, Mikal Tucker, Amberly Bruner, Karen Harney, Erin Best, Nikki Howard, Joseph Doolin, Andrew Vanalstine, Carlie Case, Marleigh Watkins-Bennett, Katie Clough, Katie Clough, Kenley Tumley, Alyssa Tucker, Weston Dale, Cameron Jones, Destiny Yarnell, Sarah Pike, Nathan Chaffee, Alyssa Herrington, Mackenzie Mastin, Lexi Switzer, Kenzei Simpson, Kail Bacon, Kail Bacon, Kai Jewell, Amanda Crump

Hillsborough, FL

Heather Morton

Kenton

Charles Edwards, Caitlin Rott, Caitlin Rott, Caitlin Rott

Knott

Alexis Slone

Laurel

Sabrinia Plymon, Matthew Switzer

Lee

Samuel Edwards, Samuel Edwards

Letcher

Nancy Maggard

Lewis

Pauletta Stone, Melissa Esham, Melissa Esham, Stacie Highfield, Sarah Kimbler, Sarah Kimbler, Shyla Brown, Sara Tolle, Amber Hunt, Sarah Ginn, Courtney Howard, Kaitlin Lanham, Kaitlin Lanham, Bessie Anderson, Bessie Anderson, Bessie Anderson, Marqia Hunt, Savanna Polley-Osborne, Abigail Taulbee, Brittney Couch, Matthew Tolle, Ethan Gibson, Creighton Arnold, Kiyeanna Evans, Raelyn Beckett, Travis Shields, Audrey Cooper, Doug Johnson, Doug Johnson

Madison

Stacy Hargett, Melissa Folen, Christopher Robinson, Veronica Abner, Veronica Abner

Magoffin

Jim Cravens

Mason

Francesca Jones, Darcia Boyd, Darcia Boyd, Amanda Combs, Jessica Hook, Christa Moore, Tammy Johnson, Joshua Prater, Morgan Fultz, Morgan Fultz, Nathan Clark, Angelia Lykins, Angelia Lykins, Sarah Rose, Nicole Gordon, Michelle Payne, Heather Reed, Tayla Collins, Jesse Foister, Dana Henderson, Kyle Swearingen, Latasha Thornton, Chasity Clifford, Chasity Clifford, Garrett Newberry, Sarah Simms, Myrtle Noel, Alexis Brown, Makenzie Nickell, Kelsey Lucas, Danny Greene, Gina Cottery, Brooklyn Commodore, Ian Helvey, Sandra Grooms, Isabelle Brumley, Zachary Scott, Zachary Scott, Ashton Adams, Olivia Kirk, Madelyn Taylor, Andrew Moore, Alexis Boone, Baylee Shepherd, Keshaun Thomas, Amanda Ayres, Chyann Datko, Tristan Staggs, Tristan Staggs, Alexander Barrett, Izabella Phillips, Niccole Harris, Madison Smalley, Madison Smalley, Cody Canutt, Jacob McCullough, Macy Lucas, Seth Current, Logan Smith, Logan Smith, Emma Lang, Irie Watson, Madison Roush, Madison Roush, Brayden Booker, Brayden Booker, Kelly Blizzard

Menifee

Casey Peck, Jordan Little, Marissa Curtis, Brent Wells, Brent Wells, Olivia Vice, Bethany Sergent, Laiken Diehl, Laiken Diehl, Laiken Diehl, Hannah Blair, Hannah Blair, Trinity Gamble, Carrie Jani

Montgomery

Kelly Adams, Kelly Adams, Kelly Adams, Tasha Osborne, Donnetta Watkins, Amanda Callahan, Ryan Jamison, Heather Martin, Rebecca Trivino, Rebecca Trivino, Brandi Downs, Alexandra Donovan, Michael Davis, Denisha Mcclain, Denisha Mcclain, Karena Saylor, Karena Saylor, Amy Swartz, Kili Pauly, Deanna Michael, Conner Cline, Aimee Thacker, Kyle Jordan, Kandace Mayse, Nicholas Howard, Brandon Tackett, Mark Fox, Elizabeth Wilks, Kristen Stephens, Hanna Thompson, Preslie Spears, Kyleigh Martin, Jonathan Wessling, Jude Gibson, Michael Trent, Brandon Chandler, Alexander Phillips, Daniel Martin, Daniel Martin, Erona Cissel, Brayden Conner, Brayden Conner, Brayden Conner, Emma Isaac, Stephanie Craver, Stephanie Craver, Andrea Gibson, Daniel Shelton, Brianna Johnson, Jacob Luecke, Sebatian Robinson, Kedrick Comfort, Kedrick Comfort

Morgan

James Potter II, Ronald Kirk, John Fawcett, John Fawcett, Alexander Burdette, Edward Shewmaker, Edward Shewmaker, Terri Taylor, Samuel Edwards, Christopher Bauda, James Gary, William Smith, Rayla Osborne, Carter Bergin, Julius Kolowitz, Michael Keith, Demontrey Ashford, Donald Flanigan, Daniel Vetter, Daniel Vetter, Christopher McCullum, Jayden Frisby, Leonard Orneval, Jeremey Allender, Jeremey Allender, Santrice Bybee, Kadence Perkins, Hannah Yeary, Kaylee Whitley, Kaylee Whitley, Alexis Helton, James Clemons, James Clemons, Robert Yeary, Robert Yeary, Robert Yeary, Abigail Hail, Alan Barnett, Rodger Williams, Trice Whaley, Abbigail Smith

Nicholas

Amy Chadwell, Joshua Howard, Staci Myers, Jesse Tincher, Hannah Contreras, Taylor Ring, Taylor Ring, Heather Tincher, Darby Wagoner, Riley Crump, Keylee Bowles, Meghan Planck, Meghan Planck, Timothy Thornsburg, Aleisha Guzman, Emerson Moore, Jonathon Miller, Kailee Mynear, Jordynn Hunt, Garrett Zimmerman, Garrett Zimmerman, Kyle Earlywine

Oldham

James Morris, James Morris

Pendleton

Gelacio Villafuerte

Pike

Northern Wright, Northern Wright

Powell

Janice Reed, Janice Reed, Summer Lane, Seth Epperson, Emily Stearns, Amber Stanifer, John Hood, Brian Moore, Brian Moore, Brian Moore, John Nolan, John Nolan, Axel Vasquez

Pulaski

Misty Keeton

Robertson

Sarah Jefferson, Lacey Mitchell, Samantha Wright, Samantha Earlywine, Jackson Whitten, Devan Rose, Valeria Herrera

Rowan

Johnny Stidam, Laken Estep, Gregory Reese, Kari Kinman, Zachary Adams, Brittany Jester, Richard Scott, Richard Scott, Carlie Combs, Brianna Hall, Victoria Ferrell, Victoria Ferrell, Victoria Ferrell, Luke Adkins, Kevin Hignite, Emily Wicker, Serenite Jones, Jordan Wages, Bobbi Mcclain, Dawna Howard, Madison Cochran, Kirsten Stacy, Erica Smith, Shyanna Keesy, Leeann Malone, Chasity Adams, Lauren Alzubaidi, Sarah Arndold, Kellen Tabor, Kaitlyn Clark, Britney Mullen, Reagan Howell, Hunter Smith, Hunter Smith, Marissa Curtis, Derek Stevens, Haley Barnett, Andrew Stepp, Andrew Stepp, Emma Bowman, Samanth Spurlock, Hailee Dixon, Madison Sparks, Candic Mcelhaney, Jonathan Caudill, Destiny Hodges, Amy Hawks, Rebekah Burchell, Ethan Johnson, Katelen Bowling, Nathanael Bailey, Karla Lambert, Samantha Sanders, Coda Sholars, Kevin Lambert, Makayla Lytle, Thomas Mynhier, Thomas Mynhier, Brady Perkins, Brady Perkins, Kevin Chenault

Scott

Tanisha Fletcher, Tanisha Fletcher, Sara Mccubbins, Hailey Stone, Nicolas Coolidge

Shelby

Pam Payton