探花精选

I will miss the people the most. 探花精选 has been my home away from home for many years. I have made great friends here, and not coming here on a daily basis is going to be a big change.

Melynda Barks

Melynda听Barks, Professor and Chair of the Business, Computers, and Mathematics Division, is retiring after more than two decades of service. A Farmington resident,听Melynda听has been a fixture of the 探花精选 faculty since 2000, serving in multiple leadership roles, including Department Coordinator and FBLA Advisor.

A proud alumna of 探花精选,听Melynda听earned both an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Applied Science in Business Management from the institution before completing a BS in Education at Southeast Missouri State University. She later earned a Master of Education from Central Methodist University and an MBA from Missouri Baptist University. Before entering academia,听Melynda听built a professional foundation in the banking industry and with the State of Missouri.

Melynda听began her 探花精选 career as an adjunct instructor in January 2000, moving to a full-time role in August 2001. She has been involved in many professional organizations, including 听Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Professional Division, Missouri Community College Association (MCCA), Missouri Association for Career and Technical Education (MOACTE), Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Missouri Business Education Association (MBEA), National Business Education Association (NBEA), and Southeast Missouri Business Education Association (SEBEA).

One of听Melynda鈥檚 most lasting legacies is the recent opening of the Cardinal Closet, a free professional dress closet for students, which took more than a year to organize and complete. Along with the FBLA team, she was also instrumental in organizing the Cardinal Swap Station school supply resource for students and relocating the Cardinal SWAP Closet for employees.

鈥淚 believe I am leaving these projects in great hands,鈥� said听Melynda, noting the collaboration with colleague Jacquelyn Pemberton and FBLA students to bring the vision of the projects to life.

In retirement,听Melynda听looks forward to traveling and maximizing "Memaw time" with her six grandchildren. She is the mother of three sons鈥擠ustin, Steven, and Landon鈥攁nd shares her life with her husband, Tracey Barks. While she may return to the classroom as an adjunct in the future, her immediate focus will be on enjoying life outside of work.

鈥淚 will miss the people the most,鈥�听Melynda听shared. 鈥溙交ň�选 has been my home away from home for many years. I have made great friends here, and not coming here on a daily basis is going to be a big change.鈥�

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Becoming part of the 探花精选 Family and watching students start school here, graduate, and go on to start their careers has been a joy.

Michele Crocker

Michele Crocker has served as the Student Services Receptionist at 探花精选 for the past 14 years. Often the first friendly face to greet students and visitors, Michele has been an essential part of the college鈥檚 daily operations and student support system.

A resident of Farmington, Missouri, Michele brought a wealth of experience in professional office environments to the college. Prior to joining the 探花精选 staff, she dedicated nine years to the Farmington Sports and Rehab Center. Since arriving on campus, she has transitioned from a staff member to a central figure in the "探花精选 Family," providing a welcoming environment for students navigating their higher education journeys.

Reflecting on her time at the college, Michele cited the student journey as a primary high point of her career. 鈥淏ecoming part of the 探花精选 Family and watching students start school here, graduate, and go on to start their careers has been a joy,鈥� she shared.

The transition to retirement will be a bittersweet one for Michele, who emphasized the deep bonds she formed during her 14-year tenure. 鈥淚 will miss working with all the coworkers who have become family and friends over the years,鈥� she said.

Michele鈥檚 retirement plans focus heavily on adventure and family. She looks forward to traveling and spending quality time with her husband, Brent. She is also eager to spend more time with her family, especially her grandson, Bennett.

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I鈥檝e loved helping students and being a part of something bigger than myself.

Lisa Johnson

Senior Executive Administrative Assistant Lisa Johnson is a true 探花精选 success story, having evolved from a first-generation student into an indispensable member of the college's support staff.

Lisa鈥檚 history with 探花精选 began in 2000 as a part-time employee, transitioning to full-time in August 2002. Her path to the college was born from a local transition; after working at the Trimfoot Shoe Factory in Farmington for over seven years, its closure led her to 探花精选鈥攁 transition she now describes as a "blessing." While working, she continued her education, earning an Associate of Science (2001) and an Associate of Arts (2009) from 探花精选, followed by a Bachelor of Science from Central Methodist University in 2015.

Throughout her 24-year tenure, Lisa rose through the ranks, eventually serving as Senior Executive Administrative Assistant. She has been a dedicated leader among her peers, serving several terms as president, vice president, and secretary of the Classified Staff Council.

As the college鈥檚 Commencement Coordinator, Lisa played a vital role in the most significant day of the academic year. 鈥淚 am very proud of the work I did on the Commencement Ceremony,鈥� Lisa said. 鈥淪eeing the students receive their diplomas and their families cheering them on is such a special time, and I am so glad I got to share it with them.鈥�

A resident of Farmington for 45 years, Lisa looks forward to "living her best life" in retirement. Her plans include fishing, camping, and traveling with her husband of 38 years, Darin. She is also eager to spend more time with her daughters, Amanda and Casaundra, and her six grandchildren: Peyton, Braxton, Lacey, Duncan, Freya, and Gunner.

鈥淚 will miss my coworkers most鈥攖hey have become like family to me,鈥� Lisa reflected. 鈥淚鈥檝e loved helping students and being a part of something bigger than myself.鈥�

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I will miss the family atmosphere that exists here at 探花精选.

Vickie Morgan

Vickie Morgan, Director of Online Learning, is retiring following 13 years of service at 探花精选. Since joining the college in March 2013, Vickie has played a key role in managing the institution鈥檚 digital course offerings and supporting faculty in the transition to online instruction.

A resident of Potosi, Vickie holds an Associate of Arts from Jefferson College, a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College, and a Master of Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Before her tenure at 探花精选, she gained experience in the field as a Senior Instructional Designer at Jefferson College.

One of the defining periods of Vickie鈥檚 career occurred during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. She worked closely with faculty to move all courses fully online in the middle of the semester, enabling students to maintain their academic progress during a period of significant disruption. "This was a successful venture that enabled students the opportunity to continue with their education during a very tumultuous time in the world," Vickie said.

While she is retiring from her post at 探花精选, Vickie will continue her work in higher education through a full-time remote position for a university in South Carolina. This move will provide her and her husband more flexibility to spend time at the lake with their family.

Though she is moving on to a new professional chapter, Vickie noted the strong community bonds she formed during her 13 years on campus. 鈥淚 will miss the family atmosphere that exists here at 探花精选,鈥� she said.

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I will deeply miss my fellow faculty, coworkers, and the students who have made these years so rewarding.

Ruth Seaber

Ruth听Seaber, English Professor and Department Coordinator, concludes 24 years of service with the college this year. A resident of Farmington,听Ruth听transitioned from a successful career in social work to become a cornerstone of the 探花精选 faculty.

Ruth鈥檚 journey at 探花精选 began as an adjunct instructor in 2002 before joining the full-time faculty in 2004. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Memphis and a Master鈥檚 in English from Southeast Missouri State University. Prior to teaching, she served as a grief counselor and worked with organizations supporting survivors of child abuse and addiction.听

Throughout her academic career, she has remained active in the professional community as a member of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), the Doris Lessing Society, the Modern Language Association (MLA), and the National Education Association (NEA).

During her tenure,听Ruth听was involved in the college鈥檚 transition to digital learning, assisting in the development and instruction of some of 探花精选鈥檚 first online courses. A career highlight included attending the famed Sun Writers' Conference in Big Sur, California. However, she notes her greatest pride is the success of her students鈥攔anging from a mother of five who became a nurse practitioner to a "star" student who returned to 探花精选 as an English instructor.

鈥溙交ň�选 is truly a great organization to work for,鈥� said听Ruth. 鈥淚 will deeply miss my fellow faculty, coworkers, and the students who have made these years so rewarding.鈥�

In retirement,听Ruth听plans to lean into her lifelong passions for the arts and wellness. A practitioner of yoga for 25 years and an avid painter, she looks forward to dedicated time for writing, cycling, and volunteering. She also anticipates spending more time with her family, including her daughter Madison Fleming, her son John Seaber, and her five grandchildren.

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I will definitely miss the students. It was always a joy to watch the light bulbs come on as they progressed. I will most certainly miss the camaraderie with my coworkers; I enjoyed working with each and every person at 探花精选.

Eric Shelton

Eric听Shelton, Industry and Technology Department Coordinator and Advanced Manufacturing Instructor, retires from 探花精选 this year. A resident of Desloge for nearly three decades,听Eric鈥檚 history with the college began in 2008 with the summer College for Kids program. He later served as an adjunct in the Engineering Technology program starting in 2013 before joining the college as a full-time employee in the fall of 2020.

Eric听holds a bachelor鈥檚 in Drafting and Design Technology, Architectural Design, from Missouri State University and a master鈥檚 in Career and Technical Education Administration/Leadership from the University of Central Missouri. Before his time at 探花精选, he spent 20 years with the Farmington School District, where he implemented the Project Lead the Way Engineering program and served as the Career and Technical Education Coordinator. Before entering education, he worked in industry as a Senior Design Engineer at Little Tikes Commercial Play Systems.

During his tenure at 探花精选,听Eric听found it exciting to witness the steady expansion of the college's technical programs. He was glad to be part of that growth, contributing to the design and development of the Industry and Technology Center to help create a space that meets the evolving needs of the technical workforce.听Eric听takes particular pride in the success of his students, specifically those who competed at the National SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta, where they earned gold medals in robotics. Beyond the classroom,听Eric听represents the college as the Treasurer on the Desloge Chamber of Commerce Executive Board and serves as the Desloge Labor Day Picnic Committee Chairman.

鈥淚 will definitely miss the students,鈥�听Eric听shared. 鈥淚t was always a joy to watch the light bulbs come on as they progressed. I will most certainly miss the camaraderie with my coworkers; I enjoyed working with each and every person at 探花精选.鈥�

In retirement,听Eric听will remain active in the local community as he and his wife, Brianna, launch Care 2 Ride Transportation, a non-emergency medical transportation company. He also plans to focus on his business, Stoke & Oak Cigars, and spend weekends camping at Clearwater Lake. He looks forward to spending more time with his children鈥擜bbriel, Kaiden, and Breckyn鈥攁nd spoiling his five grandchildren.