Salina Tech’s Star of the Month
Who is eligible: any current SATC student or employee.
Who can nominate: any current SATC student or employee.
Nomination criteria: Any current SATC student or employee who has gone above and beyond by exhibiting outstanding academic improvement, campus involvement, personal achievements, being a team player, or kindness. Individuals may only be awarded once an academic year.
Award Process/Recognition: Nominations will be sent to the SATC Engagement Committee and presented to VPSS for final approval. Winners will be celebrated via email and social media, along with an award recognizing their achievement.
FERPA Compliance: Persons nominating a student for the award should make every effort to ensure they comply with FERPA rules and regulations. During the selection process, should the committee identify any potential FERPA violations, the committee will make every effort to ensure that such violations do not take place.
Questions? Email us at engagement@salinatech.edu
APRIL 2022
Kevin Vega, an Electrical Technology student, was nominated for his outstanding attendance and great work ethic. Kevin has maintained a 4.0 GPA and demonstrated great leadership skills throughout the year. Kevin will soon be graduating in May with his technical certificate and has secured employment as an electrician in the field but hopes to eventually open his own business. Outside of the classroom, Kevin enjoys spending time with his wife, and two sons. Kevin also enjoys longboarding and hopes to teach his kids the skill of smooth riding. Please congratulate Kevin when you see him!
Gabby Cooper, a Nursing student, was nominated for her supportive attitude and her compassion for others. Gabby will graduate in May with her AAS in Nursing, and plans to work in special procedures as an RN at Salina Regional Health Center. Outside of the classroom and clinicals, Gabby enjoys spending time with her family and infant son, whom she had over Christmas break (Super-Mom powers!). When asked what she enjoys most about her nursing program, she stated she enjoys the family bond and support her classmates show one another. Please congratulate Gabby when you see her!
Kate Benton, Dental Clinical Lab Assistant, was nominated for her willingness to help on various committees, Diversity & Inclusion and HLC, and for consistently showing grace and kindness. Kate has been teaching for six years and started her journey in Dental at 19 years old, always knowing Dental was her interest. Outside of the dental lab, Kate enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, arts & painting, and has a strong community and church involvement. A fun fact about Kate is that she caught a wild string ray deep sea fishing over the summer! Please congratulate Kate when you see her!
MARCH 2022
Bradlee Call, an Automotive Technology student, was nominated by multiple people for his positive attitude and willingness to help others. Bradlee will soon be graduating in May with his technical certificate and hopes to find employment as an automotive technician. Outside of the classroom and shop, Bradlee enjoys woodworking and restoring old vehicles. Please congratulate Bradlee when you see him!
Laurel Richardson, a Practical Nursing Instructor, was nominated by a student for her caring attitude and going above and beyond. Laurel started teaching in the Practical Nursing program in 2018 as an adjunct instructor and has since moved full-time. Laurel’s favorite part of teaching the Practical Nursing curriculum is the clinical setting where community involvement and student achievements are experienced. Please congratulate Laurel when you see her!
Rachael Galvan, Financial Aid Specialist, was nominated for her willingness to help others and improve processes at the college. Outside her office, Rachael enjoys spending time with her family outdoors and at the lake in the summer, horseback riding, and creating crafts with her Cricut machine. Rachael started her journey at Salina Tech as a student in Business Administrative Technology and has since been employed for over 11 years after completing a student work-study. Rachael also recently graduated from Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor of Science in Technology Leadership! Please congratulate Rachael when you see her!
FEBRUARY 2022
Zackary Tibbits, an Automotive Technology student, was nominated for Star of the Month for his strong work ethic and respectful attitude he shows classmates, instructors, and customers of the auto tech shop. Zackary is a first-year student that is dual-enrolled from Salina Central High School. Outside of the shop and studying for classes, Zackary enjoys swimming and running, and is on his way to compete in the Boys Swimming and Diving State Championship with the Central Mustangs next week! After high school, Zack is considering attending Kansas State University and majoring in Agriculture. Please congratulate Zack when you see him!
Fernando Fajardo, Welding Instructor, was nominated for his willingness to go the extra mile for students to ensure they are successful, like taking time from his day to attend Technical Math for additional support and classroom management for students or creatively delivering content. Fernando has been teaching in Welding Technology for nine years and has earned additional credentials as a Certified Welding Inspector and Certified Welding Educator along the way. Fernando is an active member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and the Summer Camp committee where he introduces young learners to welding and encourages them to be creative and showcase creations (metal roses, insects, etc). Outside of welding and educating, Fernando enjoys spending time with his family. Please congratulate Fernando when you see him!
Shonell Edwards, Testing Services Specialist, was nominated for leading the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and shouldering the effort of emphasizing the presence and activities on campus. Shonell is the chairperson for Salina Tech’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and Staff Liaison for Student Government Association (SGA). When Shonell has free time from proctoring and overseeing testing and her committee efforts, she enjoys being with family and friends and spending quality time with them. Shonell loves helping students achieve their goals whether it is at Salina Tech, or out in the community where she can encourage students in their profession. Shonell earned an Associate of General Studies degree from Cloud County Community College while balancing work and family life and is a great example of focusing on achievement. Please congratulate Shonell when you see her!
JANUARY 2022
Emily Baker, Practical Nursing student, was nominated for Star of the Month for her willingness to help those in need and for exhibiting kindness and compassion. Emily is on track to graduate from Practical Nursing in May and hopes to work in cardiac nursing or possibly ICU or surgery at a Wichita hospital, where she has been employed for over four years. Emily has a big heart for rescue animals and has adopted three dogs and two cats. Emily enjoys making people laugh and helping others, and would eventually like to travel and continue her studies towards an R.N. license. Please congratulate Emily when you see her!
David John, our CTD Instructor, was nominated by a student for being a committed teacher and a great listener, and for helping students with any questions with his extensive knowledge. David’s extensive knowledge derives from a background of over 25 years of military service in transportation logistics where he organized and supervised driver training and the maintenance of semis. David also served as a supply manager for the First Infantry Division’s 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion during Operation Iraqi Freedom. When he isn’t educating new students in commercial truck driving, he enjoys spending time with his family. Please congratulate David when you see him!
Denise Hoeffner, Director of Institutional Research, was nominated for going above and beyond with onboarding new employees in IT and Registrar positions, demonstrating patience with training and questions, and her effectiveness in the details of graduation. When Denise has free time from pulling data and compiling major reports, she enjoys the arts: painting, drawing, photography, and cake decorating. Denise is also involved with her church and facilitates a weekly Bible Study, and is Co-Chair of Children’s Church. Denise also prides herself on her 8 grandkids, and 3 great-grandkids! Please congratulate Denise when you see her!
DECEMBER 2021
Vicki Price, Associate Degree in Nursing student, was nominated for Star of the Month for going above and beyond during clinicals, group activities, and lab simulations. Vicki is a hardworking and dedicated student who graduated our Practical Nursing program in May then returned to pursue R.N. licensure in the ADN program. Vicki enjoys spending time with her family and participating in 5k races. Please congratulate Vicki when you see her!
Dr. Sara Fisher, our Social Sciences Instructor, was nominated by a student for going above and beyond in educating and helping a student through course materials they were struggling with and ensured the student was successful. Sara was also nominated for her ability to revive SGA and have students engaged and forward-thinking on SGA activities and community involvement. Outside of the classroom, Sara enjoys thrifting, antiquing, going to rock concerts and museums. She also enjoys reading and needlepoint when time allows. Please congratulate Sara when you see her, and don’t forget to reduce, reuse, and recycle!
Lara Duran, Educational Services Coordinator, was nominated for her extensive knowledge in the field of education, her willingness to help others, and her ability to collaborate as a leader and team member to see continued improvement at Salina Tech. Lara has been with Salina Tech for 15 years but her roots are in Overland Park and she also spent time in Oregon while she completed her Master’s Degree in Organizational Training & Development in Psychology from Southern Oregon University. When Lara is not at work she can most likely be found at a sporting event or practice, as she enjoys any live sport, coaching soccer, and watching her children compete. Lara also stays busy tending to her coop of 9 hens and two dogs out in the country. Please congratulate Lara when you see her!
NOVEMBER 2021
Mukesh Patel, HVAC student, was nominated for Star of the Month for his friendly personality, eagerness to lead SGA, and willingness to help others when needed. Mukesh owns two hotels and a restaurant (Legends Sports Bar & Grill) in Salina and decided attending the HVAC program would help him make informed decisions and repairs when needed within his entrepreneurship. In his free time he likes to read, build on his entrepreneurship, and research A.I. He also speaks four languages and hopes to add Spanish and German to the list. Please congratulate Mukesh when you see him!
Polly Howell, our Nursing Skills and Scenario Instructor was nominated for the great job and effort she puts into the nursing simulations for her students and helping them understand the content in a fun and engaging way. Polly also goes out of her way to invite prospective students and tours into the nursing lab and visit with them about the potential of attending Salina Tech and answers any questions. Polly is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator, and when the certification first became available she was one of the first 100 educators to receive certification, and until recently was the only one in our territory. She has been educating through lab simulation for fifteen years and considers it an honor to teach the next generation and help them learn bedside care. In her free time, she enjoys cross-stitching, simple quilting, and spending time with her grandchildren. Please congratulate Ms. Polly when you see her!
Anna Kreighbaum, Enrollment Specialist and Financial Aid, was nominated for her willingness to help others and being the go-to for questions, information, or how to assist students. Anna has been with Salina Tech for almost six years but has worked in higher education for eleven years with experience from Wichita State University. When Anna is not at work she can most likely be found at a sporting event or practice, as she is very family orientated and is raising two athletic stars. Please congratulate Anna when you see her!
OCTOBER 2021
Andrew Strong, a Computer Aided Drafting student, was nominated for Star of the Month for his positive attitude and being a leader by contributing to classroom engagement and helping fellow students. Before beginning the Computer Aided Drafting program, Andrew was self-employed in audio engineering and managed the live sound at different venues and school events. Andrew enjoys spending time with his family and is currently the bassist in a heavy metal band, Reality Grip. If you want to support Reality Grip you will find them performing at Barleycorn’s in Wichita on October 9th. Please congratulate Andrew when you see him!
Ron Redden, Enrollment Specialist, was nominated for Star of the Month for hitting the ground running after accepting his role with Salina Tech by promoting program enrollment and being quick to demonstrate teamwork. Outside of Salina Tech, Ron enjoys spending time with his family and playing guitar (a fender strat). Something you may not know about Ron is that he has performed at Festival Jam in front of 3,000 people with his former band, Decipher! Please congratulate Ron when you see him!
SEPTEMBER 2021
Ackeem Woodley, an Automotive Technology student, was nominated for Star of the Month for his positive attitude and bringing laughter and enjoyment to the classroom. Ackeem enjoys the Automotive Technology program because he gets to work with new technology and would like to work for a dealership after graduation. When asked if he had any advice for other students, Ackeem answered, “Don’t give up but push through. Believe in yourself!” Congratulations to Ackeem for being nominated for the Star of the Month and representing Salina Tech with positivity!
Naomi Tatro, an instructor for Allied Health, was nominated for Star of the Month for her commitment to student success and for being one of the compassionate and caring instructors by continually going above and beyond. Naomi helped facilitate a healthcare scholarship with our local VFW for area students to utilize and volunteers her time at the scholarship dinners to help raise the funds, which is truly appreciated. Naomi is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Nursing Education and enjoys riding motorcycles with her husband in her free time. She also loves to spoil her fur babies and ensures they are living their best life. Congratulations to Naomi for being an excellent team member!
JULY 2021
Ashley Skieff, BAT student from Salina South, was nominated for Star of the Month for being a hard worker, willing to go the extra mile, and being helpful to others. She is always ready to laugh and works hard on any assignment given to her. Ashley is most proud of being the Vice President of the Brew Crew and helping to start it from the ground up during her Intro to Business class. When she isn’t working or in class she plays the violin and is part of the Salina Youth Symphony. She also likes to write and do journaling when she has time. The thing she likes most about attending SATC is the people and how kind and willing they are to help others when needed. When asked for a fun fact about herself she said that she likes to talk to her cat a lot. Congratulations to Ashley for being nominated the July Star of the Month!
Paige Johnson, Registrar at Salina Tech, was nominated for Star of the Month for always being “so well organized and getting things done promptly. She is a hard worker and goes above and beyond for the students and her coworkers. She is always willing to help anyone in need!” Paige is getting married in September and has been busy learning how to do that “farm wife” cooking when she’s not at Salina Tech. She also enjoys DIY projects, running, and spending time with her family and two dogs. Congratulations to Paige for being an excellent team member!
JUNE 2021
Christiana Anschutz graduated from the PN program in May 2021 and will join the ADN program this fall. She was nominated as SATC’s Star of the Month for always being friendly and kind to people at SATC. She is quick to step up and help faculty and students and was described as “a great representation of SATC both on campus and out in the community.” Christina is a single mother to a wonderful and active five-year-old and enjoys going to church, exercising, and spending time with he son. This summer, she will spend her time work, traveling, and volunteering. Christina looks forward to all the opportunities she will have after graduating from the ADN program in May 2022.
When Mike Parker, Diesel Technology Instructor, isn’t at work, he’s busy watching college sports, fishing, and riding his motorcycle. Each summer, he takes on a large group of 5th through 7th graders for a week at SATC Summer Camp and helps with harvesting. Mike was nominated as SATC Star of the Month for always being willing to stop what he is doing to speak with people on tours and representing the Deisel department in such a positive light and SATC. Mike says that “SATC is more than a college, it’s a family, and we have the opportunity to change people’s lives. Technical Education is more important than it gets credit for and is a great way to advance into a career.”
MAY 2021
Robbie was nominated for his hard work and friendliness he shows in the classroom and out in the community. Robbie will be graduating this month with his Associate’s Degree in Business Administrative Technology and hopes to move into the payroll department or Human Resources at Dillon’s after graduation. Outside of his studies, Robbie enjoys taking pictures and videos for his social media accounts. Check out his Instagram? (@robs_nichols) and you’ll find drumming tutorials (he’s been drumming since he was 11 years old!), Word of the day Wednesday, and photos from around the Salina community. Please congratulate Robbie when you see him and find him on the gram for a like or follow!
Eric was nominated by a student for always being willing to help as an instructor and helping students grow in the welding profession. Eric is known for his positive attitude, making people laugh and encouraging students to see their full potential. Alongside welding instruction, Eric is currently working towards his Master’s Degree in Career and Technical Education with an emphasis in Administration through Pittsburg State University. Outside of the classroom or shop, Eric enjoys working on home projects. Please congratulate Eric when you see him!
APRIL 2021
Machine Tool Technology student Cameron Church was nominated for excelling academically and modeling star behavior by showing a positive attitude and dedication to learning. When Cameron graduates in May, he hopes to start machining locally. Outside of the machine shop, Cameron enjoys fishing and building motorcycles. He once purchased a motorcycle for $250.00 and rebuilt it to successfully resell. Please congratulate Cameron when you see him!
Staff member Bekki Ringle was nominated for her dedication to going above, whether it is for a student or a coworker, and giving back (she goes a little crazy around the holidays). Before working at Salina Tech she worked in the healthcare field for over 10 years. Outside of her enrollment duties, she enjoys baking, traveling, and spending time with her family. Please congratulate Bekki when you see her!
MARCH 2021
Klaira was nominated for her dedication to going above and beyond and for her positivity. You may recognize her from her involvement with the Brew Crew, where you can purchase a warm cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or snacks without leaving campus. Klaira is attending the BAT program to pursue a career in accounting. Outside of her studies and contribution with the Brew Crew, Klaira enjoys raising and showing rabbits and has been involved with 4-H for 11 years. Stop by BAT to support the Brew Crew and congratulate Klaira when you see her!
Ryan was nominated for his role of Steering Committee Chair for the HLC team at Salina Tech, which has kept the college moving forward through the reaccreditation process with his amazing organizational and time management skills. Aside from his role with HLC reaccreditation, Ryan was recognized as someone always willing to help and offer advice or assistance whether they are a student, faculty, or staff member. Between his teaching and committee duties, Ryan spends free time remodeling his house and enjoys fishing and camping. He is also involved with the local cub scouts. Please congratulate Ryan when you see him!
FEBRUARY 2021
Bradlee was nominated by a fellow student for his spirit of helping others, inside and outside of the classroom. Bradlee enjoys woodworking and restoring old vehicles when he has free time outside of his studies. His goal is to be an automotive technician, which he is close to reaching! Please congratulate Bradlee if you see him around campus.
Sherri was nominated for her hard work and dedication to instructing Allied Health courses at Salina South and has overbooked her classrooms to help senior students take advantage of Excel in CTE. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and spending time at the gym she and her husband own in Abilene. You can find her teaching self-defense classes (she’s trained in Brazillian jujitsu), anti-bullying classes to children, or promoting professional fights with her promotion company. Please congratulate Sherri when you see her!