The New Castle Career Center recently welcomed two new program instructors. Lauren Hankenhoff joins the Health Science Education program and Don Criswell leads the Building Trades program.

Lauren holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is a Registered Nurse. She decided to apply for the position at the Career Center because she has always enjoyed the teaching aspect of Nursing.

“Over the years I served as a preceptor (instructor) to new nurses,” Lauren explained. “I really loved being a mentor to them.”

As the school year progresses, Lauren is eager to form relationships with her students and watch them learn new skills and grow as individuals. Hankenhoff was attracted to the New Castle Career Center’s broad range of opportunities for students, as well as the ability for students to earn college credits along the way.

“The amount of support the Career Center gives students to be successful is unmatched,” added Lauren. “I can’t wait to teach my students the hands-on skills of nursing, as well as how to have an empathetic heart.”

Don has 41 years of carpentry experience that he is very excited to share with his students. He is ready to teach his students skills that will stick with them for a lifetime.

“I’ve been driving nails since I was five years old,” Don noted. “In high school, I was a student in the first Building Trades class in 1976. I want to teach my students skills that they may not have an opportunity to learn.”

Over the school year, the Building Trades program will be building a house for Habitat for Humanity. Don is ready to share his wisdom with his students- not only about how to be successful in life, but also how to enjoy every day of work.

“A technical education is one of the best options for students,” Don continued. “No matter what my students decide to do after high school, at least they’ll know how to repair things.”

For information on the Building Trades Program, Health Science Educations Program, or the 16 other programs the New Castle Career Center has to offer, visit nccareercenter.org.

Henry County REMC representatives recently presented grant funds to the New Castle Career Centered. Pictured left-right: Todd York and Chris Lamb of the Career Center, Shannon Thom and Lara Sullivan of Henry County REMC.

The Henry County REMC and CoBank recently teamed up to present a grant to the New Castle Career Center. By using a matching opportunity within CoBank’s Sharing Success program, they were able to donate a total of $15,000 with each entity donating $7,500. REMC and CoBank sought to reward the Career Center for forward-thinking projects such as the early college program, a partnership with Ivy Tech Community College. This program is endorsed by the Center of Leadership in Learning (CELL) through the University of Indianapolis. 

The New Castle Career Center has received the Sharing Success grant before, but this is the highest amount the Center has received from the program. This money will be placed into the Career Center’s Student Assistance Fund. This fund is designed to aid students who need help paying for class fees, safety equipment, and certification costs.

“We don’t want cost to prevent any student from participating in our programs,” noted Mackenzie Jackson, Assistant Director of the New Castle Career Center. “This fund helps those who can’t afford all of the expenses.”

With this generous grant from the Henry County REMC and CoBank, the New Castle Career Center can now build up the assistance fund, ensuring that no student will miss out on participating in a career program due to lack of funding.

“New Castle Career Center is grateful for its long-standing partnership with Henry County REMC,” added Chris Lamb, Director of the New Castle Career Center.

For information on the New Castle Career Center and the 18 programs the Career Center has to offer, visit nccareercenter.org.