Amanda Spencer-Barnes co-winner of John Brown Outstanding Faculty Award

HCTC Interim President Dr. Juston Pate presents award to Amanda Spencer-Barnes.

Amanda Spencer Barnes of Beattyville is one of two recipients of the John Brown Outstanding Faculty Award, presented by Hazard Community and Technical College. The award winners were announced Saturday, May 7 at commencement. Amanda Spencer-Barnes and Joanna Martin were presented with the recognition for excellence.

I am so honored to be part of this HCTC family. I have so many role models to thank, for without them, I would not be where I am today. I am proud to work in a place that invests so much in the success of its faculty and staff members. This award is truly one of the best things that has happened in my professional career, because it means I am doing what I need to be doing to positively affect the lives of everyone around me, she said.

Being able to have an impact on students lives is very meaningful to Amanda. Working with students in all capacities, whether it is teaching or advising, really makes me feel as I am impacting their lives in a positive way, she said. She holds several leadership roles at HCTC, including Faculty Secretary, Developmental Education Coordinator, Phi Theta Kappa Advisor, and QEP Director.

Amanda is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics and has worked for HCTC since September 2005. She is a past recipient of the KCTCS New Horizons Staff Award. She holds an associate degree from HCTC and a bachelor s degree and master s degree from Morehead State University. She is currently working on her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Eastern Kentucky University.
Amanda is a past participant in the McCall Leadership Academy with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.

She started as a student at HCTC in fall 2000, and she started working as a tutor at Lees College Campus of HCTC in spring 2001. She moved into the position of Instructional Specialist, as full-time temporary in October of 2003. In September 2005, after earning her bachelor s degree, she was hired full time as Instructional Specialist. In July 2009, she was hired as a full-time math instructor. In spring 2016, Amanda took on a new role. She is half-time Quality Enhancement Program Director and half-time instructor.

Mrs. Spencer-Barnes lives in Beattyville, with her husband, Don Barnes, who is also a math faculty member at HCTC.