Story provided by Meridian Technology Center
Dustin Hicks and Randall Smith will begin the 2020 school year with new responsibilities at Meridian Technology Center.
Hicks, a long-time Practical Nursing Instructor and Simulation Specialist at Meridian, was recently promoted to Director of Instruction for Health and Academic Services.
Additionally, Smith, a key contributor in the Business and Industry Services division, was named the school’s new eLearning and Instructional Technology Coordinator.
“We are excited to have Dustin and Randall move into their new roles at Meridian,” expressed Superintendent/CEO Dr. Douglas Major. “Both are well-known as innovators in their industries. Their passion and talents will continue to benefit students, staff and clients.”
Hicks began his career at Meridian in 2005 as a Practical Nursing instructor. In that role, he facilitated the transformation of the nursing curriculum to a digital format, which increased student access to program resources outside of the classroom. He also implemented iPads in the nursing program, which provided mobile access to classroom and clinical resources.
In 2014, Hicks took on additional responsibilities as Meridian’s Simulation Specialist. Since then, he has been seen as a leader in developing medical simulation in the CareerTech system across the state of Oklahoma. He was named the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Health Science Education Division Teacher of the Year in 2016. The award recognizes teachers who provide outstanding Health Science Career and Technical programs for students in the health field. In his new role, he will supervise full-time programs in the health area and oversee the school’s academic services.
Smith’s career at Meridian began in 2010 as an Information Systems Technician. In 2013, he moved into the Business and Industry Services division as a Computer Training Specialist. In that role, he delivered customized computer training to companies throughout the Meridian district. He also helped coordinate Technovation4Education (T4E) a summertime technology training opportunity for educators. During Meridian’s pivot to online learning and remote working this spring, Smith assisted instructors and staff with learning various platforms to continue training. As the school’s eLearning and Instructional Technology Coordinator, Smith will continue this effort, working with the school’s full-time training programs, personal and professional development short courses, and business and industry clients.
Meridian Technology Center has been a driver of economic development since 1975. With a mission to educate, enrich lives and secure economic futures, Meridian offers full-time career training programs, short courses, Business and Industry services and entrepreneurial support to residents from the Agra, Carney, Glencoe, Guthrie, Morrison, Mulhall-Orlando, Pawnee, Perkins-Tryon, Perry and Stillwater school districts. Meridian is one of 29 schools within Oklahoma’s CareerTech system.
For more information or to enroll, visit www.meridiantech.edu or contact a career counselor by phone at (405) 377-3333 or toll-free at (888) 607-2509.
