Kelcie Richart, Campus Director of the Franklin-Simpson Center at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC), was presented with the Dr. George Giacumakis Innovation Award at the 25th annual conference of the National Association of Branch Campus Administrators (NABCA).
The NABCA George Giacumakis Innovation Award is given to an academic institution with off-site location(s) whose staff or faculty did something to strategically move the location or institution forward.
Richart received recognition for her efforts in helping to launch and continue to support the SKY FAME program. SKY FAME is a work-and-learn program specifically designed to educate Advanced Manufacturing Technicians. The FAME program, which has now spread to multiple states, is innovative in involvement between area manufacturers who sponsor students and the college. The SKY FAME program is particularly innovative in that it was grown on one of SKYCTC’s off-site locations and now serves as the signature program for the location.
A third or more of each SKY FAME cohort are employed by Logan Aluminum or a company associated with the plant at Epley Station.
While Richart continues to serve as the Success Coach to the SKY FAME program, she was named the Campus Director for SKYCTC’s Franklin-Simpson Center in July 2021.
“Kelcie Richart has been recognized as a pre-eminent FAME expert, particularly given her exemplary service as a Success Coach serving both the students in the SKY FAME students and the employers who comprise the SKY FAME chapter. This recognition from NABCA is a testament to her dedication to ensuring both the success of her students and the success of her campus,” shared SKYCTC Provost Dr. James B. McCaslin.
“It is imperative to SKYCTC’s mission to support local businesses and industry as they grow talent pipelines. Helping our SKY FAME students from pre-admission to post-graduation allows me to see full circle the impact our graduates have on this high-wage, a high-demand sector of manufacturing in Southcentral Kentucky,” explained Richart.
The SKY FAME program is proud to have graduated over 100 advanced manufacturing technicians employed at over 20 manufacturing facilities. To learn more about the program, visit www.skyfame.org.