This page highlights our ongoing partnerships, profiles of faculty, staff, and students actively engaged in community service, and showcases photos from recent college-sponsored events. Updated on the 25th of every month, this page serves as a hub for the latest community activities and initiatives involving KC. We encourage you to bookmark this page and visit regularly to stay connected with our efforts and involvement.
KC Student, Office Professional major from Liberty City
Sherane April Bais, originally from the Philippines, immigrated to the United States a few years ago and now serves as president of Kilgore College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter, Gamma Omicron. She is passionate about volunteering, both through PTK and in the community.
At KC, Bais helps promote PTK by distributing flyers for monthly meetings and engaging with students about the benefits of joining. In the community, she volunteers each December to help decorate the local park for Christmas and participates in the annual spring clean-up.
Recently, she and her fellow PTK members organized their annual Trunk-or-Treat and Family-Friendly Haunted House — one of the organization’s major community outreach events in Kilgore.
Answer: I work as a student assistant in the Writing Studio. What I enjoy most is connecting with fellow students and hearing their stories. I love meeting new people and having casual conversations with them.
Answer: I’m a proud pet owner; one cat and three dogs keep me busy outside of school. I’m a homebody who enjoys doing house chores, watching anime, and rewatching Pride and Prejudice (I’ve seen it more than ten times!).
Answer: I was born and raised in the Philippines for 17 years. I’m the middle child, with one older and one younger brother. I’m a full-blooded Filipino, and my heritage is very important to me.
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Answer: My proudest achievement is stepping out of my comfort zone to become the PTK chapter President. Since joining PTK, I’ve become more open and confident. I’m no longer the shy and awkward kid I used to be.
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Answer: My family is my biggest motivation. Both my mom and brother work hard to support our daily needs. As long as someone is helping me through school and life, I’ll do my best to make them proud and ensure their efforts aren’t in vain.
KC Instructor, Speech
Answer: When you see a student who comes in TERRIFIED of the class, unable to hardly get through their first speech and then finish their last one with a completely different level of confidence – that is awesome! I’ve seen so many be able to do that and then go on to have careers and they send me stories about what they have done since my class, and I know I did something important.
But what I personally enjoy is being creative in coming up with new activities. I’m always looking for an old card or board game that I can convert into some crazy opportunity to help my students develop their skills in an interesting way. Every semester I tweak things and keep trying to find the right balance to keep students engaged, curious and becoming more confident. And I love it when it comes together and then they come back to see me with expressions of missing the class.
Answer: Years ago, I got two letters: One from a former student who had gone onto Louisiana State University and majored in Broadcasting and then had taken a job in Australia. He thanked me because he felt the skills I had given him had altered his course in life and he was grateful. Another former student, who had changed his major to Speech, sent me a letter that he was now an instructor at a local high school and still had a note and certificate that I had given him in class. And he thanked me. Those, and the treasure-trove of thank-you gifts and cards on my office mantels and drawers are the moments when you remember why you do this job.
Answer: I used to say that I was a Texas-born, California-raised, Washington-tainted, Texan. I spent 14 years in the California San Joaquin Valley (school age days, beach combing, and camping in the Sequoias), spent 6 years in Seattle (worked for Sara Lee, saw some amazing concerts and got my first tattoo) before finally coming back to Texas (I was a needed aunt and finally figured out what I wanted to do for a living.) I have been here this time for over 20 years. Though I had several office jobs, I’ve been a teacher since I was a child – you can ask my siblings. I am the oldest of three and my parents are still happily married after 53 years. I have five nephews, three nieces, three great-nieces and two great-nephews – and our extended family that is ENORMOUS. Personally, I’m the proud wife to my husband of four years, with three bonus kids, four exchange daughters, four dogs, one grand-dog, and 15 chickens.
Answer: Anne Shirley of “Anne of Green Gables.” Though I will confess to never reading the books, I have memorized the films and spent an amazing trip to Prince Edward Island where I put my feet in the same sand! Anne is so full of curiosity, courage and an accomplished writer (one of my dreams). She has love, integrity, values that align with my own and finds education, family, and friendship to be the greatest blessings. And she did all of it stumbling over her own feet half the time!
Answer: Friday night would be spent in the quiet of my home playing cards with my husband while eating taco salad; Saturday would start by junking around with my sister after coffee and then dinner out with friends; Sunday would be personal time followed by hours of watching football with my mom while our spouses watch horrible movies in the other room; then I’d finish the weekend doing a jigsaw puzzle alone.
Answer: Seven years ago, on my own, I rode the train to Chicago, rented a car and then drove to Pennsylvania to see one of my exchange daughters graduate from high school. I woke up the next morning to travel to Maine, going through 7 states to see another one graduate and surprising them both. THEN, I checked off my bucket list driving up to Nova Scotia, visiting Titanic graves and drinking coffee in Dartmouth. I drove to Prince Edward Island where I spent an extended amount of time walking through Anne Shirley’s neighborhood, went to the top of a lighthouse and tried to find a reason to not leave. In the next two weeks, I saw the Woodstock memorial, ate at Mystic Pizza, put my feet in the sands of Hyannis Port, sat on the edge of THE Walden Pond, saw William Faulkner’s home and imagined I saw THE path, gazed down at Plymouth Rock, walked through the Falling Waters home of Frank Lloyd Wright, stood where Lincoln gave the Gettysburg address, saw Audie Murphy’s grave at Arlington National Cemetery, saw the Liberty Bell, and finished with a visit to the Terra Cotta Army display in Ohio before taking the train back. All by myself.
KC Fire Academy, Professional Support Specialist
Answer: Spending time with family and friends, travel, and volunteering at my church as a greeter and on the praise team.
Answer: Randy and I will have been married 45 years on Saturday, Nov. 1. We have 2 children (one here and one in heaven), and a 16-year-old grandson. We love attending all of his competitions and concerts.
Answer: In my work and family life, I believe God has a plan for each of us. KC is exactly where He wanted me. I have enjoyed my years working here with some amazing cohorts, and the friendships we have.
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That comes down to priorities — a relationship with God, relationship with spouse, relationships with children and grandchildren, then work and church work. This has worked for me for almost 70 years.
Answer: Our favorite local hangout is downtown Kilgore: Downtown D’Lites, The Mercantile, Zen Kitchen — we love supporting local businesses!
Answer: The last song played on Apple Music would have been something classical as it is my driving music, unless I am learning new music for a church service or wedding. You have to “live” with new music a while before it soaks into your soul.
Answer: You will always find coffee of all kinds in my kitchen. We don’t do flavored, but love to try coffees from different countries. Our favorite is La Minita from Costa Rica.
Answer: A perfect weekend is a trip somewhere with my family. They are the best!
Answer: Traveling is a priority and we consider it education. Some of our best friends move to Thousand Oak, California when our children were all 4-9 years of age. We travelled there by car across the Mojave Desert where I found out that bread could turn to toast in 30 seconds. We attended the debut of the movie “Lion King” at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, went to Disneyland, and a 75-acre waterpark. We took a detour to see the lights in Las Vegas, and we were awed by the grandeur of the Grand Canyon. The best part of the trip… seeing my children see and experience all of it.
Answer: My hidden talent is I sing. I’ve worked in recording studios and made an album (yes vinyl) when I was 17 with a band my brother started called “The Voices of Praise.” I traveled and sang with another band until I got married. I’ve worked in the churches we’ve attended through the years singing on praise teams and in choirs. Seems like I’ve always had a place to sing. These days I love singing the national anthem at the Fire Academy graduations. I am also part of my church’s praise team.
The East Texas Oil Museum at Kilgore College celebrated its 45th anniversary on Oct. 3 with special programming and discounted admission. The celebration also marked the 95th anniversary of the Daisy Bradford No. 3 discovery well, which launched the East Texas Oil Boom and reshaped the region’s history.
KC was established soon after to accommodate the area’s rapid population growth fueled by the oil boom. The anniversary celebration featured special “opening-day pricing” of $1 for adults and 50 cents for children.
Photo by Rachel Stallard/KC
Kilgore College mascots helped Big Sandy High School celebrate Red Ribbon Week by visiting campus and encouraging students to make healthy, drug-free choices. The mascots joined students for activities, photos and assemblies throughout the day, helping promote the national awareness campaign’s message of prevention and positive decision-making.
Kilgore College celebrated its storied athletic legacy during the annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, held Oct. 4-5. The festivities kicked off with the Induction Brunch on Saturday morning in the Devall Ballroom, where former athletes, coaches, and contributors were honored for their achievements and lasting impact on KC athletics.
This year’s Hall of Fame class included men’s basketball standout Bernard Barrow (1997-1999), women’s basketball star Jade Thurmon (2016-2018), softball ace Heather Bunn (2013-2014), and the legendary 1982 football team. The Spirit of Excellence Award was presented to Dave Wilson, a KC graduate who now serves as a columnist and national sports reporter for ESPN. The Contributor Award was given to Chris Craddock for his dedicated support. Proceeds from the event benefit KC student-athletes.
Photo by Rachel Stallard/KC
The last home game in October highlighted Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a “Pink Out” pep rally and football game against Tyler Junior College. The pep rally was held in Masters Gymnasium on the Thursday before the game on Oct. 25.
Photo by Rachel Stallard/KC
Phi Theta Kappa’s annual community Trunk-or-Treat event brought student organizations, faculty and staff together to give families a special night and a safe place to visit during Halloween. This year’s theme centered around fairy tales.
PTK thanks everyone who made this event such a success!
Kilgore College honored last year’s Lady Rangers with a championship ring ceremony Nov. 1 inside Masters Gym, held just before the team’s 2025–26 season opener. The event recognized the 2024–25 squad, which won the Region XIV Mid-South Championship and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NJCAA National Tournament.
Led by head coach Stephanie Williams and assistant coach Brianna Brooks, the Lady Rangers finished the season 24–10 overall and 10–5 in conference play, marking one of the most successful campaigns in program history.
Photo by Rachel Stallard/KC
Kilgore College held its Veterans Day Appreciation Ceremony Nov. 10 honoring veterans and active-duty service members with remarks, music, and special recognitions.
Dr. Philip Parnell, a U.S. Air Force veteran and KC’s associate vice president of student engagement, presented the Veterans Hero Award to Daniel L. Matthews, a Marine Corps veteran and current KC student pursuing an AAS degree in Business Management.
Photo by Rachel Stallard/KC
The KC Rangerettes and Managers were special guests at a recent Kilgore Rotary Club meeting, where music minister David Berryhill (pictured above) addressed the group. Berryhill, a former Rangerette manager and the voice of the Rangerettes during their 50th celebration in 1990, shared fond memories of his time working with the college organization.
Photo by Rachel Stallard/KC
Kilgore College, Longview ISD and UT Tyler signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishing new college pathways for Longview students. The agreement launches a multi-year partnership that will help students earn college credit, complete associate degrees, and transition seamlessly into bachelor’s programs.
As part of the partnership, Longview High School will begin an Early College program that places students on the KC campus. Starting next fall, 75 juniors are expected to take courses at KC and earn up to 60 college hours toward an Associate of Science or Associate of Arts degree.
Pictured above are KC Interim President Dr. Staci Martin, LISD Superintendent Dr. Marla Sheppard, and UT Tyler President Dr. Julie V. Philley.
Photo by Rachel Stallard/KC
Kilgore College’s Electric Power Technology (KCEPT) program held its lineman rodeo and graduation ceremony Oct. 17 at the KCEPT Training Field in Overton. Twenty-nine students who completed the 10-week certificate program competed in events showcasing pole climbing, hurt-man rescue and insulator-changing skills.
Awards presented included the Top Hand Award for highest overall score, along with honors for Most Supportive Teammate, Best Climber and Most Improved. Todd Ketchum serves as the program’s lead instructor.
Photo by Rachel Stallard/KC
More than ten students from Phi Theta Kappa at Kilgore College volunteered at the annual Green Street Monster Fest in downtown Longview on Oct. 25. The festival, which celebrates live music, art and community included two stages of national and local acts, food vendors and artisan booths.
The PTK students helped with set-up, crowd assistance, and clean-up efforts—playing an important role in making the event welcoming and successful while gaining hands-on experience in service and event leadership.
Dr. Brenda Kays, president of Kilgore College, received a surprise honor from the Kilgore Area Chamber of Commerce as the 2025 Lifetime Star Achievement Award recipient.
Dr. Kays, who serves on the chamber’s board of directors as an ex officio member, was recognized for her long-standing dedication to KC and her impactful service to both the business and education communities. The chamber praised her as “one of the brightest stars in Kilgore,” celebrating her leadership and commitment to strengthening the region.
The Texas Shakespeare Foundation, a 501(c)(3), hosted its second annual Festival of Trees in the Devall Ballroom in support of the Texas Shakespeare Festival. The event showcased decorated trees, wreaths, and table pieces donated for auction, and also featured a special tea party, seasonal readings, and children’s activities.
Kilgore College donated $5,000 to the Longview Lobo Football Booster Club during a home game on Oct. 10. Representing KC and presenting the check was Chris Craddock, associate director of communications and PR. Accepting the check on behalf of Longview ISD was Johnny Hamilton, assistant athletic director.
