Carla Hammonds returned to her college alma mater for a lengthy career in higher education.
The 45-year-old graduated from Central Hardin High School in 1994, then earned an associate degree from Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, then called Elizabethtown Community College.
With degree in hand, Hammonds went to work for Knight’s Mechanical, where she worked for 12 years in accounting and human resources.
When she took maternity leave, she learned about a senior administrative assistant position open at ECTC.
“It really piqued my interest, because I was also very interested in being in an environment where I could impact the education of the students of our region,” she said.
Hammonds worked in that position for 12 years before moving into her current role as facilities management and project coordinator. She’s been in that role for four years.
Since 2018, Hammonds has worked with leadership at the college, Kentucky Community and Technical College System officials and the Kentucky Division of Engineering on a student center renovation project. Demolition is underway and the goal is for the facility to be completed in 2023.
The student center will house a food service facility managed by the culinary arts department along with the university center that provides office space for four-year college transfer partners. The partnership allows students to earn a bachelor’s degree without leaving the area.
The building also includes an elevator, new restrooms and new fire alarm and sprinkler systems.
Brent Holsclaw, chief operations officer for facilities management, called Hammonds the “go-to-person” when something needs to be done with facilities at the college.
“She has the perfect personality, always patient and meticulous,” he said. “She has an incredible ability to build relationships and perseveres through any obstacle in her way.”
Her vision for the campuses’ future is forward thinking, Holsclaw said, adding she is preparing ECTC to meet needs of future students and the community.
“One of the best parts of my job is working with my colleagues to create innovative classrooms that support learning,” Hammonds said.
Doing that helps students become successful with their own educational goals, she said.
Many of the buildings at the school were built in the 1960s and 1970s, Hammonds said. Another of her goals is to make sure the classrooms are in the 21st century with furnishings and technologies.
Along with the facilities work she does, Hammonds enjoys working with colleagues and appreciates the value of teamwork among the staff.
Sheila Musick, senior administrative assistant in facilities management, called Hammonds a bundle of knowledge and experience that’s found in a small package.
“When I started here three-and-a-half years ago, she helped me get on my feet and trained me on procedures here at the college, all while juggling a dozen projects for the campus,” Musick said. “Carla is a genuinely thoughtful and helpful person who will drop everything and jump in where and when needed while never giving a second thought to how it effects all her other deadlines.”
Musick said Hammonds is a joy to work with at ECTC.
Future goals in Hammonds work include completing the Glendale Training Center, renovations in the Occupational Technical Building, expansion at the Leitchfield campus and continuing to maintain and upgrade existing facilities in all the campuses to support students, faculty and staff.
Becca Owsley can be reached at 270-505-1416 [email protected].