Sloan was one of three students who participated in an April 18 pinning ceremony held for the first time at WKCTC. Dawn Cleary, Lindsey Wilson enrollment coordinator, said the college usually hosts pinning ceremonies at the end of the year at the regional campus in Hopkinsville to recognize those students who complete the counseling and human services program. It was the first time since the Columbia-based liberal arts college began offering classes at WKCTC that a Lindsey Wilson College pinning ceremony was held on the Paducah campus.
Sloan, Lindsey Wall of Marshall County and Racquel Strickland of Radcliff have all completed master’s degrees in counseling. All of the students either earned an associate’s degree at WKCTC or took some courses at WKCTC before enrolling at Lindsey Wilson.
“These three ladies completed mid year, and we wanted to have a special service for them,” Cleary said.
Sloan, who hopes to start a practice in Ballard County, said she wouldn’t have pursued her degree if Lindsey Wilson had not been offered their program at WKCTC. “It was wonderful,” she said. “I have learned so much and I feel prepared.”
Since partnering with WKCTC in 2010 to offer local students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree, Lindsey Wilson College has had 10 undergraduate and five graduate students to complete their degree program in counseling and human development. In addition to its academic programs, Lindsey Wilson offers complete counseling services in WKCTC’s Anderson Technology Building to the college’s faculty, staff and students.
WKCTC officials said they are pleased with the strong partnership with Lindsey Wilson. “They provide a Bachelor of Arts degree in human services and counseling, and a Master’s of Education in counseling and human development. This is an excellent opportunity for our students to earn these degrees in our local area,” said Dr. Tena Payne, vice president of academic affairs.
“These students have high completion rates, are getting jobs, and are meeting the needs of our community by providing both human services and the benefits of counseling services.”
Founded in 1903, Lindsey Wilson is a liberal arts college affiliated with the Kentucky Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. The college has community campus partnerships with 21 community and technical colleges in Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia.
Wall graduated from WKCTC in 2007 with an Associate in Arts degree. “Lindsey Wilson College’s dedication to excellence in education has left me feeling prepared to enter the world of professional counseling,” she said.
Racquel Strickland, who also received her Associate in Arts degree from West Kentucky in 2009, said she enjoyed the hands-on opportunities provided by Lindsey Wilson’s program thanks to the partnership with West Kentucky.
"My experience through this master's program has been enriching personally,” Strickland said. “Most importantly though, I have grown professionally because of the professors at Lindsey Wilson College. We have been blessed to be taught by some of the key leaders in Kentucky's counseling arena. The opportunity has been priceless."
Lindsey Wilson’s graduate program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, which is the accreditation arm of the American Counseling Association. For more information, contact Dawn Cleary (270) 534-3434.