RTW on Campus at Owensboro
Stacey “Red” Davey, an OCTC and Ready to Work Success Story
Author: Katie Powers; Contributors: Amy Fogle-Stiff & Matthew Strother
Trigger Warning: loss of spouse, loss of unborn child
If you were to walk through the front doors of the Learning Resource Center and into the Library at Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC), chances are good you will run into OCTC Ready to Work student, Stacey “Red” Davey.
Red’s future is bright and limitless. He graduates from OCTC this May with his associate degree in applied science in Computer and Information Technologies with an emphasis in Network Administration. Initially, Red started college at 19 years old at Gulf Coast Community College located in his hometown of Panama City, Florida. He focused on general education classes as the time, got married, had children, and later divorced his first wife. Throughout the years, Red held jobs in all different areas of the workforce. He enjoyed his time as a computer technician, trucker, warehouse manager, and private security worker.
What brought Stacey “Red” Davey to Owensboro, Kentucky?
Red met Corissa Stone Lindley online and developed a connection over SpongeBob and Marvel memes. They fell in love, and Red knew he had to move to Owensboro, where Corissa had only 3 months left to complete her nursing degree. Red and Corissa got engaged and expected to bring a baby girl, Morgan, into the world. When Corissa was 9 months pregnant, she tragically suffered an aortic dissection and died in December of 2019. Months later, COVID hit causing Red to lose his job and the momentum on a 5-year plan he and Corissa had made together.
After years of battling grief and depression, Red picked himself back up and aimed to achieve the goals he and Corissa had set. That included going back to school.
Red came to OCTC in August of 2021 and discovered the Ready to Work (RTW) Program and the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (KTAP). With the guidance of RTW Coordinator, Amy Fogle-Stiff, Red was placed in a work-study position in the OCTC Library at the Cyber Center, which serves as a computer area for students.
In conversation between Stacey “Red” Davey and Amy Fogle-Stiff, we learned that Red always had a love for libraries and spent a lot of time hanging out in them throughout his life. Red added, “I was able to bring a skill [to the OCTC Library] that they didn’t have before.” With over 12 years of experience working in computer repair, Red found his place at OCTC. He helps students set up and troubleshoot their KCTCS accounts, recover lost passwords, install software on their devices, and navigate through Blackboard. He has also been able to lead various workshops for the library in addition to managing the OCTC Laptop Loaner Program, where students can borrow laptops for classwork. It is no surprise to us at OCTC that Red’s favorite thing about working in the library “is helping people.”
OCTC Library Director, Donna Abell states, “Stacey is very conscientious and has a strong work ethic. He is a real asset in helping students with various technical issues, as well as helping with their library needs.” Donna added that a need for someone just like Stacey had been growing. The OCTC Library and Cyber Center really needed someone to help students with their laptops and mobile devices. Donna continued, “Stacey has met this need very well. Students find Stacey and his calm and professional manner very approachable. Many come back a second and third time and ask for 'The Laptop Guy'.”
Red has had an impact on more than a few people on OCTC’s campus. The Computer and Information Technologies Program Coordinator, Tim Williamson shared with us that “Stacey is a pleasure to have in class. After COVID restrictions and being away from school, many students were more inclined to withdraw and sit quietly. Red was always eager to share some of his experiences and ask other students about their experiences or what they expected after graduation.”
From Tim, we also learned that Red has a knock for methodically working current technology news into classroom discussions encouraging others to also share their perspectives. Tim added, “Students seem to react to having one of their peers initiating discussion and are more involved. It makes my job easier, and I think the students get more out of it because they may see me as just another professor, [despite my background in] working in technology.”
OCTC RTW Coordinator, Amy Fogle-Stiff said, “I am so glad Stacey found the Ready to Work Program at OCTC. It has been a great resource for him because of the financial assistance. He felt the RTW workshops were refreshing and had very good, helpful information.”
The Ready to Work Program has been a valuable tool for KTAP participants and Kentucky Community and Technical College Students. For Stacey “Red” Davey, it opened doors for him to achieve the goals he set years ago. With joy and a profound sense of accomplishment, Red said, “You can overcome some pretty dark adversities with hard work.”
