Retired military, former coal miner, working at HCTC

Stephen Davidson knew he had found a home the day he walked into the doors of the Technical Campus of Hazard Community and Technical College.

After retiring from the U.S. Army where he served 20 years, with stations in Iraq and Korea, he returned to his East Kentucky home and then began working at Blue Diamond Coal Company as an underground coal miner.

Due to health reasons along with the encouragement of his wife of 25 years Rebecca, Davidson decided to go back to school. Davidson earned an Associate in Applied Science degree, diplomas in both the Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning and Electrical Technology Programs; he also earned a dozen other certificates including mining. Using that education, he began working Jan. 16 as an instructional specialist at HCTC, assisting with the popular Heating and Air Conditioning program.

At age 46, he loves helping students and he especially enjoys seeing students so eager to learn. HCTC has great facilities and everything we need for teaching is here. If we need it, and don t have it, we can get it, Davidson said.

Davidson encourages others to return to school if they are looking to change careers, especially those who have worked in the mines.

Air Conditioning Technology Program Director and Instructor Doug Adams said, With the increase in enrollment of the program over that last couple of years, the addition of Davidson has really made a huge difference in the individual instruction time that each student gets. Davidson is an invaluable asset to HCTC.
Anyone interested in enrolling can call (606) 487-3102.