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Vice President for Career Technical Education (CTE) Dr. Amy Whittington was nominated and selected as a member of the 2022 Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Hall of Honor. She will be recognized during the national Catalyst event held April 7-9 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.
A 2000 Holmes alumna, Dr. Whittington was a Phi Theta Kappa officer and an Ambassador. After she completed her associate degree, she earned a bachelor’s in accounting and a master’s in business administration from Delta State University. Additionally, Dr. Whittington is a 2015 graduate of the Mississippi Community College Leadership Academy and she earned her doctoral degree in Community College Leadership from Mississippi State University.
“Several years ago, Phi Theta Kappa began allowing career technical students to become eligible for invitation into the honor society,” said Lisa Anglin, mathematics instructor and Ridgeland Campus Phi Theta Kappa adviser. “Dr. Whittington knew the impact Phi Theta Kappa had on her future education when she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Chapter. She used this knowledge to promote and encourage membership to students in CTE programs at Holmes. She trained the CTE counselor on the advantages of Phi Theta Kappa and the qualifications of invitation and membership. She also pushed the counselor to attend every classroom and promote membership and acceptance of invitation while encouraging the CTE instructors to promote leadership in Phi Theta Kappa. That same year, a member of a CTE program became an award-winning chapter officer.”
Dr. Whittington began her career at Holmes as an instructor in the Business Office Technology and Business Administration departments. She became CTE director for Ridgeland in 2013 and was promoted to district director in 2016. In 2018, Dr. Whittington was promoted yet again to her current position as a vice president for CTE. Preceding her days as a Holmes employee, she worked as an accountant for Delta State University and as an accountant for Ivey Mechanical Company.
“Dr. Whittington is always finding ways to empower the general education students,” Anglin said. “She worked closely this year with our Phi Theta Kappa team on their Honors in Action Hallmark. The students strived to reform education and revolutionize the economy of Mississippi. Dr. Whittington arranged the final action of this project. She helped organize and plan alongside our officers a “Show on the Road” career fair that showcased all the career technical programs offered at our college. She encouraged students to know their options for career technical programs and employment or for career technical programs transitioning to a bachelor’s degree.”
The CTE programs lead to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, Advanced Technical Certificate, Technical Certificate or a Career Certificate, with certain ones offering transferability to baccalaureate programs. Holmes currently offers 21 CTE programs across the district.
“Dr. Whittington is one of our largest advocates for student achievement and recognition,” said Will Alexander, engineering technology instructor, Goodman Campus Phi Theta Kappa adviser and member of the MSLA PTK Regional Advisory Board. “She strives for excellence and expects the same of the faculty and students at Holmes. It is an honor to work with her in regard to curriculum and instruction, SkillsUSA and Phi Theta Kappa. Having our Holmes Vice President of Career Technical Education being honored and named into the Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Hall of Fame is one of the highest honors I could imagine. I am thrilled for her, our college, and the impact this will have with career technical education.
“I am looking forward to the MSLA (Mississippi/Louisiana) Awards Gala and Catalyst, to see how Holmes will rank in achievements in the regional and international rankings,” Alexander said. “We are proud of our chapters, members/officers, advisors and administrators who provide support in the various areas we need to grow future leaders and compete on a global scale. Dr. Whittington embodies the 4 hallmarks of Phi Theta Kappa every day and truly reflects all of what a hall of fame honoree should demonstrate.
Dr. Whittington and her husband, Frank, have two children: their son, Ian, and daughter, Ava. They are active members of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison.
