OCTC Alumni Focus: Jonni Nottingham

ALUMNI FOCUS: Jonni Nottingham

By Cadie Underwood

OCTC’s Org # CQ093 Help OCTC students while you shop! Sign up and select OCTC as your designated choice! Select Owensboro Community & Technical College, Foundation, Inc. as your preferred non profit. non-pr NOMINATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE 2020 OCTC DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD E-mail kitt.midkiff@kctcs.edu to request a nomination form, or visit facebook.com/owensboroctc to print a copy of the form. Deadline: April 1, 2020. From fast food to healthcare to venue management, Jonni Nottingham has done it all! Jonni began pursuing her college degree at OCTC and graduated with an Associate in Arts in 2011. During her time as an OCTC student, she worked multiple jobs and believes that one of her best opportunities was the ability to live at home and save money while pursuing her college education. After OCTC, Jonni’s journey included earning her Bachelor of Science in Education from Western Kentucky University and working at the school system in Breckinridge County, Kentucky. She continued to pursue her goals and obtained her Masters of Science in Sports Management from Liberty University. Today, she works as a manager for SMG, a contract management company, at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. Chesapeake Energy Arena hosts NBA teams, concerts, and shows in the downtown area but is most well known as “the place where the Oklahoma City Thunder play.” Miles away from her hometown in Kentucky, she enjoys watching the former UK players who are now part of the Oklahoma City Thunder and other NBA teams. Jonni says that OCTC helped “set me up for success” by providing her the launch pad to begin her college studies and continues to help her make many connections even in her current position. She described OCTC instructors as “supportive and encouraging” as they ensured the campus helped students and guided them on their path. As a supporter of education, Jonni gives some great advice to students: “Be you. Whatever that is and whatever that means. If it means you take a non-traditional path through college or through life, that is okay. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid to do something different. It is okay to want bigger and better things for yourself. If that means staying where you are, or living in the town you grew up in, that is awesome and admirable. However, if it means packing up and moving halfway across the country or halfway around the world, do it. It is worth it. I promise, it’s worth it.” Jonni has had an amazing journey and is an example of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. One by one she achieved her educational and career goals leading her into the management field today. Her experiences in fast food service, education, healthcare, and management combined with her education at OCTC, WKU, and Liberty University have given her a well-rounded path. She has made her way one step at a time and believes that students today can do the same. We are proud of Jonni and believe she has done an outstanding job. We were thrilled to hear her story and how her journey unfolded after OCTC. Best wishes, Jonni! We can’t wait to hear about the great things you accomplish next!