ACTC TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE IS MARCH 10
See what the future holds at the Ashland Community and Technical College 2nd annual Emerging Technologies Conference on March 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Technology Drive Campus.
From virtual reality to robots, the free conference will include presentations on technologies that are changing our business and industrial processes as well as the way we communicate and learn.
Keynote presenter Bryan Johnson is president and CEO of SynTech Creative. His experience in the tech industry began with the startup of Mountain State Computer and Network Solutions (MSCNS), a resource development project of the Foundation for Independent Living.
Under his leadership, MSCNS grew from one employee and $20,000 gross revenue in 2003 to eight employees and $1,365,000 in gross revenue in 2014.
Johnson reincorporated MSCS as SynTech Creative in 2015 to fully realize his mission of generating revenue for persons with disabilities while creating tech jobs in our area. SynTech provides services in web and graphic design, web and applications development, IT systems, VOIP services, augmented staff solutions, marketing and search engine optimization.
The host and emcee will be Scott Martin, chief of development & special projects at SynTech Creative. He has over 30 years of experience in marketing and sales. He provides marketing services for new businesses and works with numerous nonprofits in building awareness and support.
“Industry 4.0” will be presented by Meredith Howard, sales consultant for Bluegrass Educational Technologies Kentucky. He will talk about the fundamental transition taking place in the world of production as modern information and communications technologies are combined with traditional industrial processes.
“Mechatronics” is the topic for Dr. Jorge Ortega-Moody, assistant professor of engineering technology at Morehead State University. Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary engineering field that combines systems, mechanical, electrical, telecommunications, control and computer engineering. Dr. Ortega-Moody will talk about virtual laboratories that allow pre-testing of industrial components and processes.
“Telepresence Robotic Technology” is the topic for Chris Boggs, ACTC associate professor of computers and information technology. Telepresence robots allow people to “be” in two places at once. He will also discuss ACTC’s Mobile Technology Lab and developing technologies for 3D printers, drones, augmented and virtual reality devices, 3D pens and laser engravers as well as robots.
ACTC, the Kentucky Innovation Network and Ohio University Southern will have exhibits of new technologies and educational opportunities.
The conference is supported by a USDA Rural Development Grant as well as IdeaFestival and the Kentucky Innovation Network. USDA Rural Development is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America.
IdeaFestival explores ideas and innovations that are shaping the future of the arts, business, technology, design, science, philosophy and education. The Kentucky Innovation Network works to develop Northeastern Kentucky’s economy through the creation of knowledge-based businesses.
The conference at the Technology Drive Campus is open to business representatives, community leaders, students, teachers and others interested in the technologies they will be using soon.
To register or for more information, email: as_workforce@kctcs.edu, call 606-326-2130 or go to: http://ashland.kctcs.edu/Events/ETC.aspx.
Scholarship Open House for Child Care Workers
Free tuition is available for summer and fall classes to childcare workers who want to earn credentials in ACTC’s Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) Program.
An information open house at ACTC on March 14 will help early childhood employees learn about scholarships to continue their education. Advisors will be available to help with scholarship applications, college financial aid, college admissions and class information.
The open house is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the College Drive Campus in Ashland.
The Kentucky’s KIDS NOW scholarship is designed to help working childcare employees earn IECE certificates, including the Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate, an associate degree and even a transfer bachelor’s degree.
The only requirements for the scholarship are to be a Kentucky resident working at least 20 hours a week in an early childhood program that has state funding, a state-funded public preschool program, or a blended Head Start Program. This includes dozens of childcare and daycare programs in the FIVCO area.
Scholarship students may take up to nine hours in a semester, with a total of $1,800 in tuition available per student each year.
The scholarship application deadline is April 14 for summer sessions and July 14 for fall semester. The ACTC application deadline is May 1 for Summer I and June 12 for Summer II.
ACTC applications are available at: ashland.kctcs.edu. The KIDS NOW Scholarship applications are at: www.kheaa.com. For details on IECE credentials and/or a degree at ACTC, email IECE Coordinator Robin Johns at: robin.johns@kctcs.edu or call 606-326-2253.
Gussler Award Nominations Sought
ACTC is seeking nominations for the 2017 recipient of the Gussler Math & Science Endowed Chair Award. Established in 2007 through a gift to the College Foundation, the award recognizes outstanding full-time math and science faculty who have made a difference in the lives of their students.
Faculty eligible for this year’s award are Dr. Alan Alley, Richard R. Conley, Dr. Mary Cat Flath, Ralfred Hall, Frances Martin, Dr. Aschalew Mengistu and Mark Riggs.
Nominations may be submitted by current or former students or any member of the ACTC community. Nominations should include the name of the faculty member, how the nominator is familiar with the nominee, and how that faculty member has helped his or her students.
Nominations can be mailed to: Mr. Robert J. Maher, Community & Technical College Foundation of Ashland, Inc., 1400 College Drive, Ashland, KY 41101. Nominations must be postmarked by March 31.
A committee of college and donor representatives will review the nominations, and the recipient will be announced at ACTC’s 2017 Commencement Ceremony. For more information, email: willie.mccullough@kctcs.edu.
