Janice Hagans-Higgins loves new HCTC job working with students

Janice Hagans-Higgins began work January 5 as the Coordinator of Mentoring and Outreach at Hazard Community and Technical College. This job is a perfect fit because I love working with people and giving them a glimpse of hope. The role encompasses career counseling, advising, assisting with FAFSA, and working in the public with diverse populations. Joining HCTC is why I went into Human Services, which was to help and serve others. Here I am allowed to help students reach their full potential and this is a great honor, she said.

Hagans-Higgins will assist in retention activities for students of diverse backgrounds, including advising students and developing mentoring programs. She will assist the Admissions Office in recruitment.

The message I would like to convey to students is it does not matter who you are or where you come from, we all have potential. To reach that potential, we have to make efforts. Sometimes those efforts may seem difficult and the road is not easy to travel, but the journey is worth taking. Those moments along that journey are what gives us strength, understanding, knowledge, and hope.

HCTC President Dr. Steve Greiner said, I am pleased that Janice is a part of the HCTC family and I look forward to working with her.

Hagans-Higgins graduated December 2014 with a master s degree in education and counseling with an emphasis on mental health and human development from Lindsey Wilson College.

Prior to joining HCTC, she worked at a very rewarding job that was made possible because she continued her education. She values the opportunity she had working at the Rising Center as the Community Educator in Knott County, formerly the rape crisis center.

In 2011, she graduated from HCTC with an associate degree. She then utilized the University Center of the Mountains to enroll at Lindsey Wilson College and obtained a bachelor s degree in Human Resources and Counseling in 2012. She has the drive and determination to continue her education she will work toward a doctorate degree offered through the University of the Cumberlands.

Hagans-Higgins encourages others to obtain an education. Education is the key to a better future, she said.

Janice lives in Knott County with her four teen-agers, Jessica, 19; Straton, 17; Kyra, 16; and Carmeletta, 14.