Welcome New Employees
The College welcomes two full-time employees who have accepted staff positions over the past few months.
Tamma P. Moriarty, Grantwriter/Coordinator, earned her B.S. in Communications from Mars Hill College. She was previously the executive director for Communities In Schools for Madison County for seven years, as well as a reading and teaching assistant for Buncombe and Madison county schools.
Dara A. Narsiff, Secretary for Allied Health and Public Service Education, received her A.A.S. in Office Technology from A-B Tech. She had been the Home Health Scheduling Coordinator for Visiting Health Professionals for over 11 years.
Instructor And Graduate Heads To Greensboro
Continuing Education Instructor and A-B Tech graduate Debra Holmes with her newly earned B.A. in theatre from UNCA. Her son Chris, husband Bryan, and daughter Tricia surround her.
Debra Holmes has worn a couple of hats at A-B Tech. She started teaching computer skills for the Continuing Education Division in September 2000, and then enrolled in curriculum classes here in 2002. Now fast-forward to 2005 and she has been accepted into UNC-Greensboro's graduate program.
"That means, unfortunately, that I'll be moving from Asheville and leaving A-B Tech," Holmes said. "I will miss everyone at A-B Tech and am very proud of my degree from this fabulous college."
She graduated from A-B Tech in 2003 with her Associate of Arts degree that she used to transfer to UNCA. She graduated this May with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre, with a concentration in design, including departmental distinction. Now Holmes has been accepted into the graduate program at UNC-G and will begin her Masters of Fine Arts in theatrical design this fall.
"I hope to continue my teaching at a local community college in Greensboro," Holmes said. "When I'm done with my schooling, I hope to teach drama at the college level."
A computer job with Kearfott may have paid the bills in the earlier days, but it wasn't her passion. She had attended Appalachian State as a theater major, then left, got married and had two children, but the theater kept calling her back. "I love doing creative stuff in theater. Set design is a rush. It's fabulous, especially when you build it yourself," Holmes said.
The move to Greensboro means the whole family gets to pack up and head east. "My family has been fabulously supportive. I could not have done it without them. I'm scared to death, excited. What's the difference?"
One thing Holmes will certainly take with her is a fondness for her college. "I love working for A-B Tech. It's just the coolest thing. UNCA is where I got my degree, but I don't feel that way about UNCA. A-B Tech defines things about me."
Getting Acquainted With A-B Tech
Shaun Tate (right), chairperson of Allied Dental Programs, talks with participants in Curriculum Expo 2005, a three-day event held in June to familiarize teachers and counselors from the Asheville City, Buncombe County and Madison County school systems with the College's offerings. At right, Hospitality Education Instructor Vince Donatelli shows participants how to slice and dice potatoes during a stop in the Birch kitchen. About 60 educators attended the event, which featured hands-on tours of programs, a panel discussion with A-B Tech students and graduates moderated by WLOS-TV's Michelle Boudin, opportunities to take a college placement test, and a keynote presentation on Invitational Education. The final day included an update on Career Pathways, presentations on the New Schools projects of Asheville City and Buncombe County, the screening of a College Tech Prep video, and the presentation of a CD about A-B Tech.