Featured Stories

Overview
Featured Instructor

Cindy Washington

Nursing Technology

Cindy Washington headshot.

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.

Featured Instructor

Asif Khan

Engineering Technology

Asif Khan stands in front of engineering equipment in a classroom

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.

Student Spotlight

Kristen Eblin

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology

Kristen Eblin in her sonography scrubs

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).

Featured Instructor

Patrick Courtney

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Patrick Courtney stands in a hallway.

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. 

Student Spotlight

Katherine McCoy

Associate of Arts in Psychology

Headshot of Katherine McCoy

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.

Student Spotlight

Samuel Wolf

Radiologic Science Technology

Samuel Wolf sits in the grass.

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.

Featured Instructor Elizabeth Eyster, MPH, RDMS (AB), RVT, RDCS (AE)

Beth Eyster

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology

Beth Eyster stands next to an ultrasound machine.

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. 

Student Spotlight

Denise Turner

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology

Denise Turner smiling for a portrait.

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.

Featured Instructor Kim Gates, AAS, BSN, MS

Kim Gates

Surgical Technology

Kim Gates

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. 

Student Spotlight

Adiza Okine

Information Technology

Adiza Okine in the classroom at COTC.

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.

Featured Instructor

Bonnie Buchanan

Business Management Technology

Assistant Professor Bonnie Buchanan

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. 

Student Spotlight

Jacob Ward

Digital Media Design Technology

Jacob Ward and his wife, Emi.

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.

Featured Instructor

Julie Newhouse

English and Communications

Julie Newhouse headshot

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.

Student Spotlight

Nicole Wells

Business Management Technology

Nicole Wells and her dog.

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.

Featured Instructor

Eric Jorrey

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Instructor Eric Jorrey

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. 

Student Spotlight

Lexi King

Associate of Science

Lexi King

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.”

Featured Instructor

Gary Johnson

Fire Science Technology & Fire Science Technical Rescue

Gary Johnson standing next to his dog on a snowy trail.

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.

Student Spotlight

Reina Arey

Nursing Technology

Reina Arey

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.

Featured Instructor

Robert Johnson

Human Services Program

Headshot of Instructor Robert Johnson

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.

Featured Instructor

Kimberly Goudy

Business Management Technology

Headshot of Professor Kimberly Goudy

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.