< Previous59FTCC ANNUAL REPORTWWW.FAYTECHCC.EDUDr. Kenjuana McCray began her career at our college in 2006 as a sociology instructor. In addition to teaching, she serves as the Lead Program Coordinator for Social Sciences & Humanities. McCray’s volunteer work includes overseeing a food pantry for students at FTCC and being a board member for the Second Harvest Food Bank and The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. McCray was the Excellence in Teaching Award nominee for State competition.Dr. Kenjuana McCrayLead Coordinator, Social Science, and General Education and Associate Degree Programs Ashley Reid Grounds Technician, Support StaffReid has a pesticide license, and she’s also a certified plant professional of North Carolina. She enjoys working with all types of plant material and expressed her gratefulness about how FTCC has given her the opportunity to do as such. Reid was also married in the Rose Garden on May 2, 2015. She and her husband share two kids. Rodriguez’s time at FTCC was full circle, beginning as a student who was also a recipient of the coveted Ambassador scholarship before earning her bachelor’s degree at Franklin University. She worked at the college for more than nine years in various roles such as an executive secretary and as an Enrollment Management coordinator. Also at the college, she served on the Graduation Core Committee. Rodriguez was the President’s Distinguished Staff Award nominee for State competition.Cynthia Rodriguez Veteran Services Coordinator, Professional Staff Dr. Delores McLauchlinCorporate and Continuing Education Instructor, Corporate and Continuing Education Programs McLauchlin has been a part of the FTCC family since 2008. She began as a College and Career Readiness Instructor before becoming full time six years ago. During her tenure, she has implemented several pilot programs such as the Microcomputer Evaluation of Careers and Academics Lab and Career Pathways Programs. She’s currently establishing an academic and career transitions program to help non-traditional high school students develop soft skills for successful transition into higher education or the workplace. Loretta GunnSenior Secretary, Admissions Administrative StaffGunn worked as a senior secretary in the college’s Admissions Office. She retired at the end of the 2017-2018 school year.60FTCC ANNUAL REPORTDr. Valeria Russ, program coordinator for FTCC’s psychology department, was published in the American International Journal of Social Science in 2017. The title of her article is “The Impact of Group Tutoring on At-Risk College Students.” Dr. Russ served in the United States Army from 1983-1990; afterwards she began her education endeavors at our institution. Dr. Valeria Russ completed her Associate in Applied Science (Funeral Services) at Fayetteville Technical Community College in 1992. She earned a BA in History from Fayetteville State University in 1994 and her Master of Arts in Counseling in 2002 from Webster University. Then, Dr. Russ attended Walden University where she earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology degree in 2014. Dr. Russ began employment with FTCC in 2010 as a Psychology In-structor. In 2014, she became the program coordinator for the Psychology Department. She also serves as the program coordinator for the Honors College Program. In addition to the Coordinator positions, she continues to teach a full load at FTCC. Dr. Russ has served on the Academic Review Committee, as chairperson of the General Assessment Committee and co-chair of the Assessment Committee for Arts and Humanities.We want to extend our sincerest gratitude to instructor Carol Dickey. She retired from our institution after 40 years as a paralegal instructor. Her students — past and present — and colleagues surprised her with a retirement party and donated more than $500 in her honor to the Fayetteville Urban Ministry, a local non-profit that provides emergency assistance to people in need of food, clothing and other resources, in addition to offering an adult literacy program. We want to extend congratulations to Alicia Banks for recognition by the North Carolina Press Association. She earned first place in News Enterprise Reporting for her three-part series chronicling years-long compliance issues and ultimate closure of The Haven-Friends for Life Animal Shelter in Hoke County. Banks wrote the series while she worked at The Fayetteville Observer. Banks began working at Fayetteville Technical Community College in May 2017 as the digital content/social media specialist in the Office of Marketing & Public Relations. Previously, she worked for The Fayetteville Observer, The Shelby Star in western North Carolina and The Los Angeles Times under Metpro, a program for beginning journalists to boost diversity in the Times’ and Chicago Tribune’s newsrooms. Banks is a native of Fayetteville and a 2010 graduate of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.AWARDS FOCUSCarol Dickey retires after 40 years of serviceAlicia Banks Earns First Place in Reporting Award Program coordinator’s work publishedOUTSTANDING WORKMedia Services Employees Receive RecognitionJason Jones (top), Joe Talarico (bottom), and Brad Losh (below) collectively worked on a video, “Love Me? Vaccinate Me!” produced for Cumberland County Government. They earned second place in the TV or Video-Instructional Video Category for their work in the North Carolina City & County Communicators’ Excellence in Communications Awards. 62FTCC ANNUAL REPORTOn May 17, several colleagues of FTCC received awards as a special gift from the FTCC Chapter of National Society of Leadership and Success (Sigma Alpha Pi) at the Spring 2018 Induction and Awards ceremony. Congratulations to the following individuals who were selected by Society members as leaders from FTCC’s faculty, staff, administration, and greater community who embody the society’s mission and demonstrate leadership qualities in a personal or professional capacity: Excellence in Service to Students Award:Michael Neal, Director of Intercolle-giate Athletics Jeffrey Zack, Dept Chair/Criminal Justice Technology Honorary Membership:Roderick J. Gooden, State of North Carolina SGA PresidentDr. Rosemary Kelly, AVP of Student ServicesExcellence In Teaching Award:Cheryl Campbell, Business & Human Resources Management Instructor Judy Graham, Program Coordinator - Cosmetology/Cont. EdLusena Carroll, Department Chair - Global Logistics & Distribution Management FACULTY FOCUSCelebrating LeadershipFTCC staff and faculty receive recognition for excellent serviceIn 2017, we said goodbye to one of our own. Senior Vice President for Business and Finance, Betty Jo Smith, retired after serving our campus for 29 years.She began her career with the state of North Carolina more than 40 years ago as a former math teacher in Cumberland County and as the first woman auditor in the Office of State Auditor prior to joining FTCC. Smith was also awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, among one of the state’s highest honors for exceptional achievement, during a celebration of her career. Betty Jo Smith, FTCC is a better campus because of you and your integral work through the years. We wish you the best in your next chapter!29 Years of ServiceLeft to right: President Dr. J. Larry Keen, Betty Jo Smith, Ronald Crosby Jr., and Charles Koonce at Smith’s retirement ceremony where she was presented the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine.FTCC bids goodbye to SVP Betty Jo Smith upon retirement63FTCC ANNUAL REPORTWWW.FAYTECHCC.EDURon Jahn, a computer support supervisor for FTCC’s Management Information Services Department, only wears fuchsia in his mustache one month out of the year – October. The simple gesture is Jahn’s unique way to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness month, a cause close to him. His wife of more than 30 years, Aleesa, is a survivor of the disease after a 2015 diagnosis that included surgery and 33 radiation treatments. Jahn has been dyeing his mustache, and earning compliments on the eye-catching look around the college’s campuses, for more than three years. “Keep it moving,” Ron would often say to his MIS colleagues at FTCC. With heavy hearts, that is what we will do.Ronald William Jahn, July 18, 1956 to December 26, 2018Photo by Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/The Fayetteville Observer64FTCC ANNUAL REPORTTROJANS WITH PURPOSEIt’s been a championship season for Trojan BasketballThe 2017-18 athletic year for our Trojan Men’s and Women’s Basketball and Men’s Golf teams saw talented and driven players take their skills beyond the regular playing season. MEN’S BASKETBALLThe Trojan Men reached the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Region 10 Final Four tournament in their second year of the sport. The men faced a tough opponent, Richard Bland College in Virginia, but fell short of advancing, losing 73-101. This year’s team surpassed expectations with their teamwork, work ethic, and performance. Top scorers this season were Jabari Bowman, Nick Kuhns, Xavier Adams, Tristen Rodriguez and Johnny Hughes. NJCAA recognized Hughes as a “student-athlete” for his outstanding aca-demic performance for maintaining a 3.6 GPA or higher. Returning Head Coach Brian Hurd and Assistant Coach Patrick Hair helmed this year’s team. #40 Johnny Hughes jumps to shoot a basket during the Men’s Basketball Team’s Final Four appearance against Virginia’s Richard Bland College in March 2018. Despite the 73-101 loss, the game marked the farthest the team has performed in a final since their inaugural season in 2016. 65FTCC ANNUAL REPORTWWW.FAYTECHCC.EDUITH PURPOSEWOMEN’S BASKETBALLThe Lady Trojans ended their second season by advancing to the NJCAA Region 10 Final Tournament, similar to their counterparts. The accomplishment was a first for the team although it ended in the second round with a loss to Catawba Valley Community College. Despite the short stint, the team improved upon their first season by winning 8 out of 26 games. One of their biggest wins was against Central Carolina Community College, 86-56. Dajah Horne (#1) earned the NJCAA All-Region Award during the finals tournament in March. Top scorers for the team included Horne, Amarilis Floyd, Genesis Bernard, Briana James and Chania Troy. Head Coach Eric Tucker returned this year to coach the team, with Mike Rich and Percell Bell returning as assistant coaches.TROJAN AWARDS BANQUETThe Athletics Department held its 2nd Annual Trojan Athletic Awards in May inside the Tony Rand Student Center Multipurpose Room, honoring top athletes for their skills, performance, and overall dedication to the Trojan family. Women’s BasketballMost Valuable Player – Dajah HorneOutstanding Sophomore – Amarilis FloydOutstanding Freshman – Briana JamesTrojan Award – Tyra EvansMen’s BasketballMost Valuable Player – Jabari BowmanOutstanding Sophomore – Tristen RodriguezOutstanding Freshman – Johnny HughesTrojan Award – Jonathan AdamsScholar Athlete – Jonathan AdamsMen’s GolfMost Valuable Player – Tyler FoxTrojan Award – A. J. BankoAll-Academic Team Zachary BoggsKehlo Chavis Tyler Fox Johnny HughesNicholas Kuhns Andrew MoonTijen Rivers Coach of the Year – John Michael Cole (Golf)Trojan of the Year – Kendall Jones Women’s Basketball Head Coach Eric Tucker uses a timeout to discuss strategy with the Lady Trojans during their first home game at Reid Ross Classical School November 2017. The Trojans went on to beat Central Carolina Community College 78-57. AWARD WINNERS66FTCC ANNUAL REPORTIn March, FTCC hired three intercollegiate head coaches for the inaugural 2018-19 seasons for the women’s volleyball and fast-pitch softball and men’s baseball teams. Maurice Licardo will coach the women’s volleyball team, Miguel Justiniano will coach the women’s fast-pitch softball team, and Lee Troutman will coach the men’s baseball team.The addition of the three new teams will bring current FTCC sports programs to seven in the first three years of participation in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Maurice LicardoCoach Maurice Licardo came to Fayetteville from Oceanside, Calif., by way of the U.S. Army nearly 30 years ago.Known as “Coach Moe” by his players, he began a career playing and coaching volleyball at 16 years old. He’s coached military men, women, and co-ed volleyball teams with units he served with during his four years in service. He also coached the Sandhills Volleyball Club of North Carolina and the girls’ team at Freedom Christian Academy in Fayetteville from 2012 to 2017. Licardo led the girls team to two conference championships in 2015 and 2017; he was also named Coach of the Year in both seasons.Licardo describes playing and teaching volleyball as a “passion” of his. He wants the inaugural season of women’s volleyball at FTCC to be one where the sport stays with the players for a lifetime. At the same time, Licardo wants to remind players about the importance of their education. Licardo is a father to four children including twin girls who attend North Carolina State University. He also began playing volleyball at the urging of his brother, who at the time, served in the U.S. Marines. Licardo graduated from FTCC with a degree in electronic engineering and technology while also serving as one of FTCC’s Thomas McLean Ambassadors.Miguel JustinianoMiguel Justiniano, called “Coach Who” by his players, grew up playing baseball in the Bronx, New York, and in Central Park. While serving in the Marines, Justiniano played professional baseball in Guam. He also coached a semi-pro team while stationed in New Jersey. Justiniano is also a veteran of the National Guard and the Air Force. His love for baseball through the years transcended to women’s softball and is evidenced through his career achievements spanning 45 years.Prior to FTCC, he served as the assistant softball coach for Methodist University. He helped lead the 2006 team to a national #7 ranking in the sport. Justiniano took his talents to Fayetteville State University’s softball team for six seasons. The Broncos made it to the 2009 CIAA Championship series and finished as a runner-up.Justiniano enjoys coaching students with heart while watching them grow and improve their skills on a daily basis. He called being able to coach FTCC’s first softball team a “blessing” in a place he considers home.Justiniano is also a graduate of Campbell University and earned his master’s degree from American Military University in West Virginia. He and his wife, Edna, have three children: Sheena, Jonathan, and Michael.2018 sees new coaches, new athletic programsMaurice Licardo, the women’s volleyball coach for FTCC, describes playing volleyball as his passion.DREAM TEAMFTCC ATHLETICS67FTCC ANNUAL REPORTWWW.FAYTECHCC.EDULee TroutmanLee Troutman is no stranger to winning and he plans to bring that streak to FTCC’s Athletic Department as the Head Baseball Coach for the sport’s inaugural team. He coached the West Fayetteville Dixie Majors 19U to five consecutive state championships in North Carolina. The team also competed in five World Series events across the nation, from South Carolina to Alabama to Louisiana.Prior to coaching at FTCC, Troutman coached high and middle school baseball teams at Fayetteville Christian School. Troutman played baseball for South Rowan High School in China Grove, and during the mid-70s, he played Yadkin Valley Baseball out of Rowan County. Troutman graduated from the University of North Carolina - Wilmington with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science in 1982. Then, he played industrial level softball with Carolina Power and Light Co. and Miller High Life.Troutman’s baseball career also paralleled with his career in the military, which spanned 20 years. While serving overseas, and prior to 19U, he coached and played on the U.S. Embassy basketball, men’s, and co-ed softball teams in Canberra, Australia; Beijing, China; and Oahu, Hawaii. While stationed in Australia, Troutman played for the Canberra Eagles baseball team, serving as a pitcher and second baseman, during the early 90’s. While stationed in Manama, Bahrain, he coached and played on an International men’s all-service military travel softball team, participating in international-military sponsored tournaments, in countries such as Dubai, Germany, Greece, Italy, and Saudi Arabia.Troutman is not just a coach at FTCC, he’s also an alumnus. He received his degree in Building and Construction Technology in 2018. He previously received a degree in Carpentry in 2017. Troutman met Jill, his wife, in 1982, the same year he graduated from UNC-W. They have two children, Meredith and Thomas. Thomas also plays baseball and is an alumnus of FTCC. Outside of baseball and school, Troutman is an active member of the Combat Warriors organization that aims to relieve combat stress and emotional despair for combat and disabled veterans.Lee Troutman, the men’s baseball coach, is an Army veteran as well as graduate of FTCC. As a student, Troutman was one of the 2016-17 Thomas McLean Ambassadors.Miguel Justiniano will serve as the first coach for FTCC’s women’s softball team, bringing with him more than 45 years of experience as a player, coach and mentor.FTCC ATHLETESNext >