Meet Your Admissions Team | SCC

Meet Your Admissions Team

Contact Admissions at 606-677-8321 or sccrecruiting@kctcs.edu!

Admissions Counselors

Melissa ChmuraMelissa Chmura holding various promotional items from Dunkin Donuts
Melissa Chmura
Admissions Coordinator
(606) 451-6758
(606) 271-8713
melissa.chmura@kctcs.edu

Where are you from?  
Connecticut. Moved to Kentucky in 2008.

What are your hobbies/favorite things to do? 
I love boating on Lake Cumberland, camping (in a camper, not a tent), riding my Ebike, going to the beach, traveling and playing with my 2 labrador retrievers, Sam and Casper. I am a huge Dunkin Donuts fanatic! I love being with my family (my husband and daughter) the most!

Why did you want to work in college Admissions? 
I didn't know that I did until I started working at SCC in the cashier's office and realized I really like helping students. I worked as a success coach and then moved to the Admissions and Recruitment department, where I get to organize campus activities and events and help students learn about SCC and all we have to offer.

What is one piece of advice you wish every prospective college student knew? 
When I was thinking of going to college, I didn't think my family could afford it. I remember crying thinking I would never be able to go due to finances. One thing that I want students to know is that it is possible. No matter what your financial situation is, there are different ways to be able to afford college!

What is your favorite campus event or tradition at SCC?  
My favorite event is the student cook-outs we have on campus. It's a fun day filled with resources for students, food, music and games. I just love the vibe of everyone outside having a good time and getting to know students, staff and faculty.

Natasha PayneNatasha Payne relaxing with some coffee

Natasha Payne 
Admissions Counselor
606-451-6922
606-305-9371
natasha.payne@kctcs.edu

Admissions Territories: Cumberland, Clinton, Wayne, McCreary

Where are you from?
I grew up in the small town of Barbourville, Kentucky.  
   
What are your hobbies/favorite things to do?
My absolute favorite thing to do is watch movies and lounge around with my cats. I also love spending time with my friends and family, reading, cleaning, cooking and listening to true crime podcasts.   
   
Why did you want to work in college Admissions?
I have always been passionate about helping others and feel incredibly lucky to be a part of the mission of KCTCS. As a first-generation college student myself, I love having the opportunity to be there to guide individuals through the admissions process and help students take those first steps. There is absolutely nothing better than knowing that I have been able to alleviate anxiety for a student who is about to embark on their own educational journey and ultimately work towards their dreams and aspirations.  
  
What is one piece of advice you wish every prospective college student knew?
Embrace your setbacks and failures as part of the journey. I truly believe every experience we have shapes us in meaningful ways and helps us become the person we are meant to be. Failure isn’t always enjoyable, but I do believe it can be essential.  
  
What is your favorite campus event or tradition at SCC?
My favorite campus event is our Student Government Association (SGA) Tailgate Cookout that is hosted every Fall semester. This event is such a fun way to welcome everyone back to kick off the semester. It’s great to see so many students connecting with other students, making new friends, checking out our campus clubs and organizations, and connecting with faculty and staff. It’s an event where all our campus community comes together to celebrate the start of a new semester.

Sean KellySean cheering for his favorite team.

Sean Kelly
Admissions Counselor
606-451-6923
606-872-7488
sean.kelly@kctcs.edu

Admissions Territories: Pulaski (Pulaski County HS, Southwestern HS), Rockcastle, Out of State

Where are you from?
I'm from Corbin, KY originally but I live in Somerset, KY now.

What are your hobbies/favorite things to do?
I love to read, try out interesting recipes, travel to new places, play with my new nephew Thomas and attend UK sporting events. I'm a big movie fan, and will talk with you about most any nerdy topic.

Why did you want to work in college Admissions?
I wanted to work in college admissions because I wanted to give students the advice I didn't have when I was starting my college journey. I am a first generation college student and didn't have someone to ask questions about any of the intricacies that I was going to run into, and I want to be that for any of our students at SCC. Helping students to navigate the admissions process is very rewarding.

What is one piece of advice you wish every prospective college student knew?
I wish every prospective college student knew that there is a lot of help available for students. Whether it is through financial aid to help pay for classes, student support to help you be successful in those classes, career counseling to help you find the right major that fits you best, etc. You can find a pathway that works for you, and your admissions counselor can help point you in the right direction.

What is your favorite campus event or tradition at SCC?
I believe the roadshows we host are some of my most favorite events, it allows us to get out and visit the schools that host us and interact with so many different people. They're a lot of work but always a ton of fun. Plus Melissa makes brownies!

Amy CaldwellAmy Caldwell enjoying coffee and trivia.

Amy Caldwell
Admissions Counselor
606-451-6924 
606-872-7807
amy.caldwell@kctcs.edu

Admissions Territories: Pulaski (Somerset HS, Somerset Christian), Casey, Lincoln

Where are you from?
I grew up right here in Somerset, KY.  Less than a mile from the Somerset campus.

What are your hobbies/favorite things to do?
My favorite hobbies are attending concerts and playing team trivia with my friends.  I also love watching movies, playing games (like cards and board games), and hanging out with my family and friends.

Why did you want to work in college Admissions?
When I started college as a first-generation student, I didn’t have a lot of guidance through the college process.  I had to learn everything on my own, and sometimes the hard way.  I have a lot of passion to help this generation of learners learn from some of my mistakes but also not have to navigate the process alone.  Removing barriers to education is one of the ways that I love helping others.

What is one piece of advice you wish every prospective college student knew?
Every student I have encountered follows their own individual path to the future.  Don’t compare your journey to others and believe in yourself.  You can do great things when you do.

What is your favorite campus event or tradition at SCC?
My favorite campus event or tradition at SCC is Master Musicians Festival that we host on our Festival Field every July. Not only did I perform in the very first one back in 1994, but I have also attended almost every single year since then. I even got to see my favorite musician, Billy Strings, there back in 2017.   I love how this event brings our community to our back yard.  Collaborating with our community is what SCC is all about, community is our middle name after all.

Alicia SpearsAlicia enjoying a good book.

Alicia Spears
Admissions Counselor
606-451-6920
606-350-2181
Alicia.spears@kctcs.edu

Admissions Territories: Adair, Russell, Madison

Where are you from?
Somerset KY

What are your hobbies/favorite things to do?
Spending time with my husband and the cats, read, be with my church friends (my Episco-peeps), and my besties from grade school. We love to go to sound healings, yoga, and always follow that with a lunch or dinner together. Friends since first grade :)

Why did you want to work in college Admissions?
I love helping people further their education. Love seeing them succeed and surprise themselves at what they can achieve. Love interacting with both high school groups and older students. Everyone deserves a chance to go to school and do what they love in life. Love being a part of that!

What is one piece of advice you wish every prospective college student knew?
It's ok when life happens and you have to modify your plans. Success is rarely a straight line from beginning to your goal. You can always come back if you need to step away for a bit. Sometimes, you need to step away for one reason or another. Just don't give up. That's the important part.

What is your favorite campus event or tradition at SCC?
Master Musician's Festival. It was great to see the whole community come out and have a good time. Even though it was really hot this year, there were a lot of people and the atmosphere was light and fun. It's a great event that I'm glad we host every year.

Kristal FarmerKristal is a military mom.

Kristal Farmer
Admissions Counselor
606-878-4817
606-872-3738
Kristal.farmer@kctcs.edu

Admissions Territories: South Laurel, Clay, Jackson

Where are you from?Manchester, KY.

What are your hobbies/favorite things to do?
Singing, playing the piano, spending time with my family.

Why did you want to work in college Admissions?
I wanted a job where I could share my life experiences to help others figure out their futures.

What is one piece of advice you wish every prospective college student knew?
Before picking a career, try to visualize the life you want one day.  In your mind, imagine where you want to live and your life to look like.

Then, tailor your career/education choices based on the ideas you envision about your future.

What is your favorite campus event or tradition at SCC?
I am new to SCC, but, so far it has been Mean Girls Movie Night.... 

Katelyn SmithKatelyn Smith and some snacks.

Katelyn Smith 
Admissions Counselor
606-878-4914
606-875-4190
Katelyn.smith@kctcs.edu

Admissions Territories: North Laurel, Whitley, Knox

Where are you from?
I'm from London, Kentucky!

What are your hobbies/favorite things to do?
I love spending time with my husband and our two kids, Caleb & Caroline! I'm also very involved in my church, where I serve as Children's Pastor. I love being creative, planning events, traveling & making memories with my family!

Why did you want to work in college Admissions?
I'm actually a former SCC student! After SCC, I transferred to a four-year university and earned my bachelor's degree in Sociology. My time at SCC was one of my favorite parts of my college experience. I was surrounded by people who genuinely cared about me and wanted to see me succeed. I've always loved working with people, and I wanted the opportunity to be that same kind of encouragement and support for someone else.

What is one piece of advice you wish every prospective college student knew?
Take advantage of the people and resources around you! Don't be afraid to ask questions, get involved or reach out when you need help. There are so many people at SCC who genuinely want to see you succeed, and I know that from personal experience!

What is your favorite campus event or tradition at SCC?
Most of the events I attend are actually off campus! One of my favorite parts of my job is getting out into our local communities, meeting new people & talking with potential students. But I also enjoy any opportunity to welcome students and their families to our beautiful campus!

 

Admissions Operations

Parker N. Tucker
Supervisor, Admissions Operations
Somerset Campus
(606) 677-8330
parker.tucker@kctcs.edu

Lori Burba
Admissions Operations
Somerset Campus
(606) 677-8331
lori.burba@kctcs.edu

Kristen Lee
Admissions Operations
Somerset Campus
(606) 677-8335
kristen.lee@kctcs.edu

Jessica Comfort
Admissions Operations
Somerset Campus
(606) 451-6646
jessica.comfort@kctcs.edu