Cindy Washington
Nursing Technology
Associate Professor Cindy Washington is a teacher, a nurse and an author. She has been a faculty member at COTC since 2007, where she currently teaches the advanced adult health nursing course at the Newark campus. In 2022, Washington was one of the contributing authors in the Columbus Black Nurses Association’s (CBNA) first book: “The Voices of Black Nurses Our Challenges and Triumphs During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Book sales support scholarships for CBNA nursing students.
Asif Khan
Engineering Technology
Asif Khan’s list of achievements in academia is second to none. With three degrees to his name — a bachelor’s in information technology from AL-Khair University, Pakistan; an associate degree in electrical engineering technology from COTC; and a master’s in engineering and technology from Ohio University — and eight years of teaching at COTC, Khan has reason to be proud.
Kristen Eblin
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology
The fall after she graduated from Chillicothe High School, Kristen Eblin started a radiologic sciences degree at a four-year university. About halfway through, she realized that she was in the wrong major at the wrong school. Fortunately, she discovered a new passion, and today she’s found her match with the diagnostic medical sonography technology (DMS) program at Central Ohio Technical College (COTC).
Patrick Courtney
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Assistant Professor Patrick Courtney has been teaching at COTC since 2003, but his teaching history dates back to 1978. Prior to COTC, he was a secondary school teacher and administrator as well as a district administrator. He now teaches at all four COTC campus locations and online.
Katherine McCoy
Associate of Arts in Psychology
After being diagnosed with the autoimmune disorder alopecia universalis in 2016 and losing her hair to it, Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) student Katherine McCoy thought she had lost herself.
“Initially it was devastating for me. I felt as if I had lost my identity. Throughout the years, I have grown to accept and embrace my hair loss,” she said.
McCoy realized that a career helping others through their own difficulties would be the perfect way to redefine the possibilities of her life.
Samuel Wolf
Radiologic Science Technology
In celebration of National Radiologic Technology Week® this November, COTC recognizes the vital work of faculty, students and alumni.
Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) radiologic science technology student Samuel Wolf is well on his way to his dream career as a pediatric radiology technologist thanks to the college’s highly regarded program and the connections it offers to students.
Beth Eyster
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology
In recognition of Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month this October, COTC celebrates the impact that the many alumni, current students and faculty of its diagnostic medical sonography technology program have on the lives of their patients.
Instructor Beth Eyster started teaching at COTC in 2011 as part of the diagnostic medical sonography technology (DMS) program. She teaches many course topics including basic sonography scan skills, human anatomy, echocardiography, abdominal sonography and sonographic physics. She also serves as the clinical coordinator for the DMS program.
Denise Turner
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology
In recognition of Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month this October, COTC celebrates the impact that the many alumni, current students and faculty of its diagnostic medical sonography technology program have on the lives of their patients.
Denise Turner has not had a clear-cut path to her dream career. As a matter of fact, she originally earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Culture from New Saint Andrews College in Moscow, Idaho. Now she is redefining the possibilities for her career and her life at COTC.
Kim Gates
Surgical Technology
Associate Professor Kim Gates is not only a registered nurse, but earned a Master of Science in Nursing and specialized professional certifications in the field (CNOR – specialty professional nursing certification for patient care before during and after surgery and C.S.T. – certified surgical technologist). That translates to classroom expertise and being able to offer COTC surgical technology students exactly what they need to know to get a job and continue to succeed in their career.
Adiza Okine
Information Technology
From Africa to Ohio, Central Ohio Technical College student Adiza Okine has found a supportive community that will help her achieve her career goals. After moving to Newark five years ago, she realized that she could pursue a degree in information technology thanks to COTC’s campus being just fifteen minutes from her home with her aunt.
“I chose IT software development and programming because I want to be an IT specialist in software and coding. Also, my dad and brother are technicians, so it’s like technology runs in the blood,” said Okine.
Bonnie Buchanan
Business Management Technology
Professor Bonnie Buchanan has been teaching at Central Ohio Technical College for more than 17 years. She teaches at the Newark campus and online in a wide range of business topics from introductory courses to software application to team building. Over her years at the college, she has designed and implemented many courses and served as a faculty mentor. Buchanan is also a U.S. Navy Veteran and COTC alumna.
Jacob Ward
Digital Media Design Technology
Thirteen years after starting a degree at a different college, Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) student Jacob Ward is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science in Digital Media Design Technology to redefine his career.
“I like the idea of creating and bringing something to life for someone,” he said. “I’d love to work with a sports team to help develop their website or help design their merchandise.”
Ward began working on his degree in spring 2021 with the full support of his wife and three kids.
Julie Newhouse
English and Communications
Julie Newhouse has been a part-time faculty member at Central Ohio Technical college since 2006. She teaches speech courses, including Small Group Communications, Public Speaking and Fundamentals of Communication. She also works as a lecturer and adjunct faculty at three other universities in central Ohio, volunteers at the Licking County Library and is a homeschool group elementary art teacher.
Nicole Wells
Business Management Technology
COVID-19-related life changes caused many to struggle to find balance with their children being at home, but Nicole Wells, mother of five and grandmother of three, found it to be the opportunity she needed to complete the Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) degree she originally began in 2013.
“I chose to pursue my degree so I can be a better role model to my children, and I really wanted to finish what I started,” said Wells.
Eric Jorrey
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Instructor Eric Jorrey has been teaching sociology courses at COTC since 2015. His classes are available at the Newark and Pataskala campuses and online. He frequently publishes and presents research in sociology. Recent topics incluce ”Know Your Rights: DACA and DREAMers,” ”Giving Thanks: Myths and Realities of American Indian Issues and Rights,” and “Get Out the Vote!”. His research interests include social constructionism, racial and ethnic intergroup relations, juvenile delinquency, gender and crime, and marriage and family, among others.
Lexi King
Associate of Science
Lexi King is a high school senior that recently joined the ranks of COTC alumni. King attended COTC through College Credit Plus (CCP) and graduated with an Associate of Science this month, a few weeks before getting her high school diploma from East Knox High School.
“I’m really proud,” she said about her accomplishment. “In the beginning, I was a little hesitant because I was a [high school] junior going into college classes — a real college student. It’s a lot different than high school. The experience opened my eyes to what I can do.”
Gary Johnson
Fire Science Technology & Fire Science Technical Rescue
Associate Professor Gary Johnson has been teaching full time at COTC since 2013. Prior to teaching, he was a firefighter and paramedic with the Marysville Fire Department from 1980 to 2012, serving as assistant chief from 1987-2000 and chief from 2000-2012. He is also a U.S. Air Force Veteran.
Reina Arey
Nursing Technology
From a young age, Reina Arey wanted to be a nurse. Back then, she was in awe of the nurses who cared for her younger siblings in the NICU. Today, it is the nurses braving the COVID-19 pandemic who continue to inspire her as she pursues a nursing degree at Central Ohio Technical College (COTC).
“Nurses have a desire to help people. When someone is hurt, nurses can nurture them back to a healthy state,” she said as she explained her appreciation for the profession.
Robert Johnson
Human Services Program
Instructor Robert Johnson began teaching at COTC in 2018 and has classes at all four COTC campuses – Newark, Coshocton, Knox and Pataskala – and online. His schedule includes a variety of courses from the human services student’s first semester to their last. He is a U.S. Navy veteran, COTC alumnus and Licensed Independent Social Worker.
Kimberly Goudy
Business Management Technology
Professor Kimberly Goudy started teaching at COTC in 2002. She teaches entrepreneurship, management and marketing courses at the Newark and Knox campuses and online. She has presented at more than a dozen national and international conferences and made appearances on NBC4.