Barton Speaker's Bureau

Cheryl Brown
brownc@bartonccc.edu
(620) 786-7441

Topics

• Chinese New Year
• My life as an international student in Taiwan in the “old days”
• Mini lessons in Mandarin – speaking and/or writing
• Title IX
• US Constitution and Constitutional Law
• Chinese cooking and demonstration, if facilities are available

About Cheryl

Cheryl was born and raised in Ellsworth and Rice Counties, Kansas. Miss Esther Welk was her first grade teacher and taught her to read. From the very first, Cheryl was drawn to books and stories about other countries. Once she learned about different languages, she wanted to study them. Around the age of 10, she decided to study Chinese and began that at the University of Kansas, and later in Taiwan and Hong Kong where she lived nearly eight years. After returning to the US, Cheryl attended law school. Having studied and practiced law has been extremely helpful in her job as Title IX Coordinator at Barton. The history of the founding of our country and our legal system is a particular interest.

Jaime Clothier Abel
abelj@bartonccc.edu
(620) 792-9269

Topics

• The Singular They | The use of the pronoun “they” as a non-gender specific singular pronoun not only recommended by most major style formats but also benefits writers and readers cognitively, emotionally, and institutionally. | length 20 minutes
• Unpacking Our Privilege | It is important for us to recognize that we experience privilege and oppression related to our various social identities, and to work toward a more equitable society. | length 30 minutes; hands-on activity
• Classroom to Classroom Grant Project | The need for teachers, all grade levels combined, in the United States will increase by 140,000 before 2028. Some colleges are partnering with local school districts to produce more teachers. | Length 20 minutes

About Jaime

Jaime Clothier Abel is a 5th generation Kansan and a faculty member in the English and Education Programs at Barton Community College. She has a MA in English Language and Letters and a BS in English Education from Emporia State University and 18 graduate credit hours in Education from FHSU. She serves as President of the BCC Library Advisory Board, as facilitator of the Education Advisory Board, and is a graduate of the Excellence in Teaching Academy and the Assessment Institute. She teaches Comp 1 and 2, Foundations of Modern Education, Children’s Literature, and facilitates Education Field Experience.

Darren L. Ivey
iveyd@bartonccc.edu
(620) 792-9364 (W)
(785) 477-0799 (C)

Topics

• “Impassioned Pursuits”: Bibliophiles, Bibliomanes, and the Love of Books. An overview of book collecting, famous book collectors and their libraries, and the complicated obsession for books. Estimated length: 20 minutes.
• Great Library Capers: Libraries, Archives, and Those Who Steal from Them. Estimated length: 20 minutes.
• Rebels in Blue: “Galvanized Yankees” on the Santa Fe Trail. A general history of the Confederate prisoners of war who volunteered for frontier duty with the U.S. Army followed by specific details on those assigned to posts along the Santa Fe Trail. Estimated length: 20 minutes.
• Lone Star Defenders: A Brief History of the Texas Rangers. A concise summary of the Texas Ranger service from 1823 to the present. Estimated length: 20 minutes.

About Darren

Darren L. Ivey is the Director of Library & College Archives at Barton Community College, and the collections manager of the Cohen Center for Kansas History. He holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Kansas State University and a master’s in Library Science from Emporia State University. His research interests involve rare book collection development, archives and special collections, and the tension between security for and access to antiquarian materials. He is also the author of four books on the famed Texas Rangers, including the recently published The Ranger Idea Volume 3: Texas Rangers in the Hall of Fame, 1898-1987. His historical research interests include the Civil War in the Tans-Mississippi, the Santa Fe Trail, the frontier army, the Indian tribes of the Central and Southern Plains, and Old West lawmen. For more, visit darrenlivey.com.

Myrna Perkins
perkinsm@bartonccc.edu
(620) 792-9201

Topics

• Federal Financial Aid – Presentation can be on multiple aspects of federal financial aid from a high level view to the nitty gritty of how it works, varying depending upon the audience and what information is sought.
• Kansas Promise Scholarship—Presentation can be on this new state scholarship initiative.
• Accreditation – Presentation can be multiple aspects of higher education accreditation depending up the audience and what information is sought.

About Myrna

Myrna Perkins is Chief Accreditation Office and Director of Financial Aid at Barton Community College. She has worked in financial aid since 1992 and higher aid accreditation since 2009. In addition to the work she does for Barton Community College, she has been a financial aid peer reviewer with the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) Standards of Excellence Program since 2000. She has also been Barton’s Accreditation Liaison Officer since 2009 as well as an accreditation peer reviewer with the Higher Learning Commission since 2010. She has earned all seventeen NASFAA financial aid credentials as well as NASFAA’s Financial Aid Administrator Certification. 

Jason Lindstrom 
Lindstromj@bartonccc.edu
(620) 792-9251

Topics

• U.S. History
• World History
• Oral History
• The American National Parks System 

About Jason

Jason is an Instructor of History at Barton Community College. He holds a degree in psychology from the University of Kansas, an education degree from Ohio University, and an M.A. in History from Fort Hays State University. He has taught U.S. History and World History at the middle school, high school, and college levels. Jason is committed to lifelong learning. He currently lives in Hutchinson, Kansas with his wife, twin sons, and daughter. Jason is active in Boy Scouts and enjoys the outdoors. He is also an avid vinyl record collector

Lindsey Bogner
bognerl@bartonccc.edu
(620) 786-1141

Topics

• Resiliency and Perseverance: Imagining where you want to go is the easy part - getting there is harder. Specifically created for middle school and high school students, this presentation follows me through college, the military, and failed career choices to the very best job on the planet to learn about all the options available after high school and persevering under duress and the choices that make us more adaptable and resilient. (30-45 minutes)

About Lindsey

Lindsey Bogner is the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement at Barton Community College. Lindsey’s career began in the Kansas Army National Guard where she served as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Operations Specialist and Unit Public Affairs Representative. She later attained a Bachelor's in Technology Studies with an emphasis in Communication Systems and a Master's in Management and Leadership along with multiple certificates in a wide range of areas including emergency management, nonprofit accounting, and leadership. She lives near Odin, KS with her husband, Mark, and their children, Zoey and Otto.

Patrick Busch
buschp@bartonccc.edu
(620) 786-1182

Nolan Esfeld
esfeldn@bartonccc.edu
(620) 786-1174

Topics

• The Cougar Supply Den – 20 minute presentation

About The Cougar Supply Den

The Cougar Supply Den was started in April 2017 and was officially recognized as a Food Pantry in Nov 2017. Now called the Cougar Supply Den, after moving to its new location in the LRC, the CSD offers more than just food items. Everything offered through the Cougar Supply Den is free for Barton Students to take. 

Kristin Steele, MSN, RN
steelek@bartonccc.edu
(620) 282-2429 (C)
(620) 792-9220 (W)

Topics

• Implicit Biases. Every human has biases, even if not aware. Biases are barriers to equity and inclusion, even in healthcare. If nurses are to reach goals of providing equal healthcare to all, systemic racism must be first acknowledged within, and then eliminated. Implicit biases are personal biases one is not aware of and must be brought to light in order to provide equal care to all. (30 minutes? This is not yet created, just near and dear to my heart)

About Kristin

Simulation coordinator and assistant director of nursing at Barton Nursing in Great Bend, Kansas. Previously nursing faculty of the Practical Nursing program, currently working alongside both levels of nursing students at Barton Community College. Co-chair of the Program’s Nursing Club and recent attendee of the National Student Nurses’ Association annual convention as faculty advisor where the adverse effects of systemic racism was gained. Holds a Master’s of Science in Nursing Education from the University of Phoenix.

Renae Skelton
skeltonr@bartonccc.edu
(620) 792-9355

Topics

• Simulation Lab Tour - Civic organizations are invited to campus to tour the simulation labs. The 20-30 program will cover the Nursing program and the use of simulation labs in Nursing Education. Clubs can use the Nursing classroom for a hands on experience.

About Renae

Director of Nursing Education at Barton Community College, Renae has over 30 years of experience in the field of nursing. Completed the Barton Practical Nursing Program in 1989, Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fort Hays State in 1991 and Master’s of Science in Nursing Degree from Western Governor’s University in 2017. Renae have been employed at Barton since 2014 first a Practical Nursing instructor then transitioning to Director. During her nursing career, she has enjoyed working in a variety of settings, including outpatient infusion/wound care, school nursing, public health nursing, home health nursing, long term care and as a nurse educator. Renae and been married to her husband, Jason, for 34 years and are the proud parents of 3 adult children and 5 wonderful grandchildren. They make their home on the family farm near Larned.

Danika Bielek
bielekd@bartonccc.edu
(620) 792-9253

Topics

• Dance Therapy, Moving Towards a Better Life. Dance therapy for better physical and mental health is a growing, evidence-based tool to enhance other forms of conventional therapies. In this presentation we will explore Dance for PD (Parkinson’s Disease, Brooklyn, NY), Dancing for Mobility (for aging adults and movement disorders) and touch on dancing for mental health in troubled youth. This fascinating and innovative area enables people to be an active partner in their therapy process. (15-20 minutes)

About Danika

Danika Bielek, Barton Community College’s Dance Coordinator and Yoga instructor, has 20+ years experience in teaching, performing and choreographing dance in multiple settings. Danika earned her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography at Arizona State University which lead her to working as a professional dancer for over 10 years. She trained as a CNA specializing in geriatrics, and then studied under the Dance for PD program through the Mark Morris Dance Center. Working as a dance educator has been a life-long passion. In addition to working in higher education and dance studios and non-profit arts organizations, she has facilitated dance and movement classes in Parkinson’s Disease support groups, hospitals, Youthville and safe houses.

Todd Mobray
mobrayt@bartonccc.edu
(620) 792-9245

Topics

• “Sharing the Mission of Barton Community College” The main goals of Barton’s Mission Revision Team are to share the words of our Mission Statement AND assure it is clearly explained to the public. This presentation will share insights, discussions, and the thought processes behind each word of the Barton Mission and Vision Statements. (20-40 minutes w/Q&A)

About Todd

Todd Mobray has been with Barton Community College for 10 years. He began as a Multimedia Specialist for instructional design and is currently the Director of Institutional Effectiveness. He also teaches Digital Photography, Digital Image Editing, and Digital Video courses for Barton Online. Todd was co-chair of the Mission Revision Team during the recent mission statement updates in 2021.

Dr Kathleen Kottas, Dean of Workforce Training and Community Education
kottask@bartonccc.edu
(620) 786-1107

Topics

• Available for topics in Healthcare, Healthcare Education, and Workforce Training/Career and Technical Education

About Kathleen

Dr. Kathleen Kottas has been involved in the Great Bend healthcare industry and Barton Community College for almost 40 years. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Bethel College, a Master’s of Science in Nursing from Wichita State University, a Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner from Wichita State University, and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Wichita State University. She is a Registered Nurse and a nationally certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She would be available for a variety of topics in Healthcare, Healthcare Education or Career and Technical Education.

Jakki Maser
maserj@bartonccc.edu
(620) 792-9295

Topics

• Social Support
• The Importance of Friendship for Adult Women
• Mental Wellness-Coping with Stress, Habits for Happiness, Relationships that Last with the 5 Love Languages,
• Psychological First Aid- Recovering After a Crisis, Test Anxiety.
• Other Mental Health Topics can be available upon request with enough notice. (40 minutes)

About Jakki

Jakki Maser lives in Great Bend, Kan. with her husband Chris and three children. Jakki is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Kansas and works as the Mental Health Counselor for Barton Community College. Prior to Barton, Jakki gained experience in the Mental health field in a variety of positions including targeted case management, school counseling and serving as the Lead Behavioral Health Counselor at KVC Psychiatric Hospital in Hays, specializing in childhood trauma. When she isn’t busy acting as a toddler referee and snack bearer, Jakki enjoys playing guitar, being around dogs, having 1:1 lunch dates with her kids, hanging out with her husband who is her “best friend and favorite person”, and embracing her deep and profound love of Peanut M&M’s and Marvel movies.

Eric Smith
smithe@bartonccc.edu
(620) 292-1046 (cell)
(620) 786-1174

Topics

• Psychology of a Serial Killer

About Eric

I currently own a house in Hoisington where I live with my wife of 15 years and 4 amazing, rambunctious children.  I am a Navy Veteran, former police officer, and a former family preservation therapist.  In addition to these endeavors, I was a business executive for the better part of 20 years and have been featured multiple times in the Who’s Who of Business Executives.  I am also an aspiring playwright, having written two musicals that will be featured here at Barton in the fall of 2024 and 2026.  Teaching Psychology here at Barton has been a lifelong dream come true.  I have now been teaching here for 2 years, and hope to put in at least another 20.   

Elaine Simmons
simmonse@bartonccc.edu
(620) 792-9214

Topics

• Customer Service
• Leadership
• Barton’s Instructional System

About Elaine

Elaine Simmons serves as Barton’s Vice-President of Instruction. Nearing four decades of service, Elaine has served in multiple capacities during her career including various leadership, management, supervisory and marketing roles. A native of Kansas, Elaine grew up in Wilson, attended Barton Community College where she received an associate’s degree and transferred to Fort Hays State University and received a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in Educational Leadership. She lives in Great Bend with her husband.

Dr. Carl Heilman
heilmanc@bartonccc.edu
(620) 792-9301

Topics

• "Get to Know Barton" - a brief overview of the immediate past, present and possible future of Barton Community College.
• "Economic Impact" - learn how the college impacts the local economy by bringing outside dollars to Barton County, keeping property taxes steady for more than a decade, enhancing the local workforce, supporting local business and industry, and of course saving constituents thousands on college tuition."
• "Higher Education in Kansas" - hear about the constant conversation that has to take place with legislators in Topeka to ensure they understand the needs of higher education in Kansas, especially the two-year sector. 

About Carl

Dr. Carl Heilman, President, has led our local community college since 2006. During this time, the college has moved forward expanding its online offerings, adding new career and technical programs, and strengthening the quality of its traditional academic offerings.