Featured photo: Eight community members were honored on June 14 with a small graduation ceremony of the 2023 Community Ambassador Program. (Photos by Rich Keen, Marketing and Communications Dept. High resolution photos are available on Google Drive.)
Marketing & Communications Dept.
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. – Eight community members were honored on June 14 with a small graduation ceremony as the 2023 Community Ambassador Program came to a close. The annual program is hosted by the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation to deepen the community’s support and understanding of the College. Upon graduation from the program, each Community Ambassador acts as a Blue Ridge representative to help build community relationships that encourage involvement and investment in higher education.
“Ambassadors, as you’ve seen, there is so much happening at Blue Ridge as we fulfill our vision of transforming lives through the power of learning, and our mission of empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills to enrich our communities and build a competitive workforce,” said Jim Rassmussen, Educational Foundation president. “It truly takes many committed and talented people to realize this mission.”
Each ambassador received a certificate signed by Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood, Blue Ridge’s president, and Dr. David Stegall, Blue Ridge’s chief of staff and the interim director of the Educational Foundation. Dr. Stegall and Jim Rassmussen presented the awards in the College’s Workforce Development Boardroom in Henderson County.
Over four sessions since March, the eight participants enjoyed an in-depth view of campus facilities, departments, instruction and programs. Prior to their June 14 recognition, the ambassadors learned about the many supporting areas of Blue Ridge’s General Administration Division from Dr. Chad Merrill, vice president for general administration, and Steve Young, chief information officer. This division includes information technology, facilities and construction, planning and research, events and other support services. Dr. Stegall then spoke about the work of the Educational Foundation to raise and allocate funds to scholarships and academic programs, and Benjamin Rickert, director of marketing and communications, spoke about the College’s commitment to public information and outreach.
“Ambassadors, thank you for your dedication to learning about – and participating in – the important work of Blue Ridge Community College,” added Dr. Stegall. “Educating our workforce strengthens Western North Carolina in every way, and your effort to connect our communities and businesses through Blue Ridge makes this work possible.”
The 2023 Community Ambassador Program graduates included:
Patti Baker
Partner, BGW CPA, PLLC
Board Member, Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation
Laresa Griffin
Development Director, Blue Ridge Humane Society
Rachael Hicks
Director of Sales and Business Development, REMC
Katrina McGuire
Executive Director, Literacy Connection
David Noyes
Realtor and Broker, eXp Realty
Trina Stokes
Director, AdventHealth Foundation Hendersonville
Lauren Taylor Wilkie
Executive Director, Safelight, Inc.
Rick Wood
Board Member, Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation
Retired Educator and Coach