By Lois Jones, Miller-Motte Technical College
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Gina Castleberry has been an influence at the Clarksville Miller-Motte campus for 17 years in one capacity or another. In the later part of 2014, she accepted a position working for Delta Career Education Coorporation, the parent company of all Miller-Motte campuses and many other campuses around the United States. Castleberry was chosen for her new position because of her excellent service record at the campus level.
Castleberry started as adjunct faculty and has since served in many roles, including Campus Director for the last seven years. She has been instrumental in adding many great technical programs, including Respiratory Therapy as well as CDL Training: Class A Tractor Trailer and Nursing Assistant programs.
Anywhere you go in Clarksville, you are likely to run into Miller-Motte graduates working in their careers who have all benefited from Castleberry’s dedication to education.
Staff and faculty recently surprised Castleberry by naming the campus learning resource center in her honor. The Center provides computers, internet access, tutoring, and personal support to students and graduates for their use and assistance. The plaque hanging outside the learning resource center reads, “In recognition of Gina Castleberry’s numerous achievements and contributions to the Clarksville MMTC campus. Dedicated this 16th day in January 2015 by her colleagues, business friends and family.” Castleberry was also presented with a smaller version to hang in her home based office.
Kala Fielder, the new Campus Director, presented the personal plaque to Castleberry, saying, “You have been a mentor to me personally, and I have learned and grown so much because of your leadership,” Fielder said.
Castleberry and Fielder both were visably struck with emotion as the mentee honored the mentor. “I just don’t know what to say to adequately express how honored and humbled I am. Thank you to everyone at Miller-Motte Technical College and Delta Career Education,” Castleberry said as she addressed the crowd at the ceremony.
Among the guests were her husband, Sean Castleberry, and her mother and father, David and Jan Faulkner, who were aware of the honor, and had the dificult task of keeping it a secret. Video congratulations were sent by colleagues who were unable to attend.
Castleberry assured all who attended that she would visit the campus when time permits. Her new role requires her to travel to other campuses under Delta Career Education Coorporation where she will assist them using her diverse knowledge of career education and campus management.
