OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, this week helped recognize Poteau resident Ramona Smith as the recipient of the Making It Work Day Spotlight Award by the Oklahoma Career and Technical Education Equity Council.
Smith is a Power I program director at Carl Albert State College, where she’s been in service for 19 years. She is director over the Poteau and Sallisaw campuses and over LeFlore, Haskell, Latimer and Sequoyah Counties.
The council in an annual ceremony celebrates individuals and businesses who are making an impact in their communities. The event serves as a way to thank students, instructors, administrators, community partners, businesses, and industries connected to Oklahoma community colleges and technology centers who “make it work” in education and the job market for Oklahomans.
This year’s Making It Work Day event was held Monday, March 6, in the State Capitol Rotunda. Rep. West attended and presented Smith with a citation.
“Ramona Smith is the example of what we hope every educator might be,” West said. “In reading her nomination by those who work with her on a daily basis, she’s kind and compassionate. She’s knowledgeable about her job. She goes above and beyond in her duties. She’s tough on kids when they need her to be, but she becomes their biggest cheerleader in helping them reach their goals. She wants to see kids thrive and succeed. It was an honor to get to help recognize her for this distinguished award.”
Smith’s nomination noted that she gives her all to the students and staff at Carl Albert State College. She goes above and beyond to help students break down barriers and achieve in whatever field they choose. She is passionate about helping students and others around her with their goals. She is very knowledgeable in everything pertaining to her job and the Department of Human Services and federal guidelines.
“She is dedicated to her job and spends endless hours showing it,” the nomination form reads. “She loves her job and loves helping others.”
Smith also received the Outstanding Member Award from the Oklahoma Career and Technical Education Equity Council in April of 2018. She is also a member of Make It Work Day.
Nominees for the Spotlight Award can be a current administrator of a Career Tech or a community college coordinator serving special populations or a current staff member of any program serving special populations in a Career Tech or Community College. The nominee must also be distinguished among his or her peers in leadership and cannot have received this award within the past five years.
- Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.
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