Three faculty and staff members have been honored as Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College’s Educators of the Year and were recognized during the South Carolina Technical Education Association’s annual conference Feb. 15-17 in Myrtle Beach.
Radiologic Technology and Radiology Online program director Fran Andrews is the outstanding faculty member, assistant director of financial aid Amanda Dempsey is the outstanding staff honoree and registrar Amy Ott is the outstanding administrator.
SCTEA is a professional association of technical education personnel and others interested in post-secondary technical education.
Andrews started working at OCtech in June 1992 as a Radiologic Technology clinical instructor. She became the program director in January 1996 and served as dean of health science for a decade. She was named an Educator of the Year in 2019, and was nominated for the honor in 2006 and 2011.
Andrews is actively involved in the South Carolina Society of Radiologic Technology, serving as its treasurer from 2013-2023, and was chair of the Educators Council in Radiologic Technology in 2022-2023. She is a member of the South Carolina Radiation Quality Standards Association Board, SCSRT Annual Meeting Committee, Cope Area Career Center Advisory Committee, Educators Council in Radiologic Technology, SCTEA and American Society of Radiologic Technology, and is a site visitor for the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
“My job provides me an opportunity to interact with all areas of the college in various capacities,” she said. “Day-to-day interaction with the students allows me to have an impact on their futures, whether in the classroom as an instructor, advisor or just as a friend willing to listen. I also have the opportunity to work with the community to create a better healthcare environment.”
Dempsey has worked at OCtech for 12 years and has served as interim director of financial aid. She began her career in higher education as a Federal Work-Study in 1999. Prior to coming to OCtech, she worked as a bookstore manager and fiscal technician at the University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie. She was an OCtech Educator of the Year in 2018.
“OCtech is family,” she said. “I spend more time working with these great individuals than I do with my own family. The work is meaningful and gives me a sense of belonging. I am part of an institution that is making a difference in the lives of others and that brings me joy – even on the hard days.”
Dempsey is an active member of Grace Baptist Church in Orangeburg. Professionally, she is a member of the South Carolina Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administration.
Ott has been at OCtech for 20 years – the last 10 years as registrar – and was a 2011 Educator of the Year in the staff category. She is a member of Staff Council.
Ott served as the college’s SCTEA representative for three years.
“OCtech has many great faculty and staff members,” Ott said. “We help each other when needed and are willing to go the extra mile to make experiences better for our students. When you are willing to work and assist others with issues and problems, they are more than willing to reciprocate.”