FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STUDENT SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT - November 2007

Ashley Marshall

Administrative Support Technology -

Medical Office Specialization

Danville Community College student Ashley Marshall of Ringgold sees herself working in an administrative capacity in a hospital or doctor's office. An Administrative Support Technology – Medical Office Specialization major,  she is seeking a career in the medical field. She will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in spring 2009.

“I always wanted something in the medical field,” the 19-year-old explains. “I just didn’t want a career with direct physical contact with patients, such as a nurse or doctor would have. I want to work in an office environment and utilize my office skills."

The daughter of George and Valerie Marshall, she came to DCC in fall 2006, after graduating the previous June from Dan River High School. She chose the college because she wanted to stay close to home.

 “DCC is a good school and it is a great place for you to figure out what program you really want to major in before you transfer to a university,” Marshall says.  “I feel the programs at DCC are wonderful and would suggest anyone to take a program here.  Even if the individual plans on transferring (to a four-year college or university), it’s great to take some basic courses for starters.

“DCC is close to home and it costs less to attend than a four-year university,” Marshall adds.

Now in her second year at DCC, Marshall has landed a plumb job as a student worker in the offices of DCC President Dr. Carlyle Ramsey and DCC Vice President for Academic and Student Services Dr. Chris Ezell. There, she is putting her office administration skills to work. In addition, she has worked part-time for the past three years at the Owen Farm. Marshall also is active with Christian Tabernacle Church in Mountain Hill.

 Glenda Boswell, Administrative Staff Assistant to the President, and Connie Wann, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Academic and Student Services, agree that Marshall is “a very personable young lady, always cooperative, conscientious, and eager to learn. We have enjoyed working with Ashley.”

“I have enjoyed meeting a lot of people and working in the President’s Office,” she says. “I am learning new skills. Ms. (Glenda) Boswell and Ms. (Connie) Wann  are wonderful supervisors. They have shown me a lot.”

Marshall says DCC faculty and staff are also great assets.

“The faculty members are very helpful at DCC. For example, in our Biology 100 class, the teacher made the material very understandable in a memorable way,” Marshall says. “This made the class fun and exciting, and that made you want to come to class every day.”

Marshall admits going to college is a big step and she had some adjustments to make along the way.

“Getting through some of my courses was a little bit of an obstacle at first, but I made it through,” she says that having a strong support system helped her. “My parents, my self-determination, and a lot of praying helped me tremendously.”

Marshall says another good thing about DCC is that you will find people you know here.

“Everybody is not a stranger. You will find a lot of people that you know here, unlike what you will find a large university,” she notes. 

In fact, Marshall's twin sister, Amber, and her two cousins are also enrolled at DCC. Amber is enrolled in the Early Childhood Education Development program. They are the first in their immediate family to go to college. But these twins lead separate lives and barely see each other at the college.

“All of her (Amber’s classes) are during the daytime, while most of mine are in the evenings,” Marshall explains. “With our schedules, we don’t really have much time together.”

The Associate in Applied Science Degree in Administrative Support Technology is a two-year program of study with three specializations: General Office, Legal and Medical Office. The General Office specialization provides the broad-based knowledge and skills needed in many different types of businesses. The Legal specialization is geared specifically to individuals who want a career as a legal secretary or an entry-level paralegal. The Medical Office specialization offers training needed to work in a medical environment with specific instruction in medical insurance coding and medical transcription.

For more information about the Administrative Support Technology Program, contact the professors, Frances Carter at 434.797.8525, or Richie Robertson at 434.797.8428, or click here.