09/07/12 Two long-time local educational professionals are joining Ancilla College as part of the college’s new marketing and admissions efforts.
Kelly Manning and Ericka Taylor-Joseph have joined Ancilla’s Admission Department as admissions counselors. Both women live in Starke County and have extensive connections to regional schools and community organizations.
Taylor-Joseph has a background in sales, counseling and management and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Purdue University. She comes to Ancilla after five years as a career advisor in Workforce Development specializing in helping individuals choose career and educational options that best fit their interests and needs.
“Ericka has phenomenal skills and is very involved in the community,” said Eric Wignall, Interim Director of Ancilla’s Office of Admissions.
“Ericka excels at working with a diverse population and prides herself on helping people work toward a better life for themselves and their families. Her knowledge about in-demand career fields and her desire to help students find the right educational path makes her a great asset to the Ancilla team,” Wignall said.
Taylor-Joseph is also a member of the Starke County Youth Club Executive Board and was the Development Chair for the Starke County Relay for Life helping them to raise over $58,000 to help fight cancer, he added.
Kelly Manning also joined Ancilla College in the Admissions office. Manning, a longtime Starke County resident, was a student athlete at Hanover College graduating with a degree in Communications. She has served as regional coordinator for Indiana’s Twenty-first Century Scholars Program in Starke, Pulaski, Fulton, and Jasper County Scholars for the past 12 years.
“I never felt like I had a job with the Scholars Program, it was more of a mission for me from the start. Helping people understand the value of higher education and the beauty of using that education to find the right career. I was fortunate to serve,” Manning said.
“Kelly is also actively involved in the region serving with the Starke County Youth Club, Earthworks, Knox Winamac Community Health Centers, Starke County Blue Dolphins and the Starke County Public Library,” Wignall said.
Both women are exceptional people and fantastic additions to the Ancilla community. With their experience and energy Ancilla is reaching more people, letting more people know about our educational options, and attracting new students from every age group, Wignall said.
Ancilla College offers two-year, associate’s degrees that allow graduates to enter the workforce or to transfer to senior institutions to obtain a bachelor’s degree. “We are often described as a ‘hidden gem’ in Northern Indiana and these two high-energy professionals will help us find the spotlight. They can talk about our 17 degree programs in high-value disciplines and provide the advice and information needed for traditional and adult learners,” Wignall said.
Ancilla College enrolls 500 students in 17 degree programs ranging from accounting to nursing. It was founded by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ in 1937, and is located 2 miles south of US 30 on Union Road near Plymouth.
