Presenting our National Anthem

Heather Hensell, Ed.D. – Provost

Dr. Hensell serves as the Provost for Remington College. She taught both online and face-to-face for 12 years prior to joining Remington College in August of 2017. Heather earned her doctorate in higher education leadership from Gwynedd Mercy University and has a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of North Texas, a master’s degree in family studies from Texas Woman’s University, and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and psychology from the University of North Texas. When she’s not cheering on the students at Remington College, Heather enjoys reading and instant film photography. She’s currently working on her first creative non-fiction short story and hopes to begin a Master of Fine Arts program in creative non-fiction in 2022.

Jon Daniels – Director of Campus Administration of Remington College Online and Knoxville

Jonathon Daniels is an U.S. Army Veteran – served in Operation Iraqi Freedom I, II and III. He is a two time Army Commendation Medal Recipient. Jon is married and the father of five children. He has worked in higher education for 16 years. Originally from Southern Illinois, an avid sports fan, Jon played college baseball and was scouted by Red Sox, Cardinals, Cubs and Braves.

Delia Cardenas

Delia joined the company in 2002 as a receptionist.  The Houston campus then moved to the Hayes location and continued there as one of the receptionist until the North Houston Campus was built. She was then transferred to the North Houston Campus located in the Greenpoint area and promoted to the Executive Assistant/Receptionist. Throughout the years, Delia has served as a faithful and dedicated employee. During her tenure, she has served under various Campus Presidents, DOEs, Deans and Campus Directors. She’s very knowledgeable and is considered the backbone of the campus as she manages many of our campus needs from building maintenance to interacting with vendors. In her current role as Campus Administrative Coordinator, she also serves as admissions support. Delia enjoys spending time with her family, but most of all she enjoys spending quality time at her family ranch in Victoria County.

Kimbeth Williams

Kimbeth Williams, is currently the Health Sciences Program Chair for Remington College both the Houston North and Houston Southeast campuses. Prior to joining the Remington College family, she earned her Associate Degree in Electronics from DeVry University.  For 20 years, she worked as an  Electronics Technician. Ms. Williams decided on a Career change in 2002 after he father was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung cancer. To better assist with her father’s care, she decided to enroll at the National Institute of Technology, in Austin, Texas. Later in 2004, Ms. Williams earned her Medical Assisting Diploma.  After earning her diploma, she began working in the clinical setting as a Medical Assistant, Lead Medical Assistant and eventually worked her way up to Office Manager. In 2009, she decided to give teaching a try and joined the Remington College family. Teaching became her passion and she never looked back. Before managing the Health Sciences Department, Ms. Williams served as a Medical Assisting instructor and later was promoted to Externship Coordinator.

In 2015, she enrolled in a Health Sciences Program where she later earned her Associate of Science Degree from Briarcliff College. Ms. Williams is strong, passionate and dedicated individual and she is well liked by students, faculty and staff. During her tenure, she was faced with her own personal diagnosis of Breast Cancer. She never once wavered during this challenging time. She continued to teach and operate as Program Chair though it all. Her strength is commendable as she often puts others before herself. Being a survivor of breast cancer, she is a member of the Cancervive Group which assists other cancer patients with their treatments, errands, transportation to appointments, etc.  She can often be found volunteering in downtown Houston with feeding the homeless or reading to students at Viola Cobb Elementary when time permits.  She maintains high standards for herself and those she works with by providing a quality education for the students that enroll at Remington College. I truly appreciate and value Ms. Williams as she has an incredible work ethic, tenacity and strong desire to help others.

Latoyia Buckingham

After 26 years in the hospitality field, LaToya was terminated from her job as an Executive Housekeeping Manger for a hotel chain. She found herself without a job and no education. At this point, she decided to return to school to better herself and her circumstances. LaToyia enrolled in our MA- Career Pathway Program (formerly know as ATB) in May of 2019. She was determined to earn her GED and college diploma simultaneously. During this time, she had many obstacles, but the biggest obstacle was homelessness. After losing her job, she could no longer pay her rent or care for her young daughter. She eventually lost her apartment and had to send her daughter to live with family in Chicago to keep her safe while she slept in her car.

During this very difficult time, no one knew of her circumstances as she kept it quiet. LaToyia wanted to give up many times, but through the help of encouraging words from the faculty, she did not give up. LaToyia came to school every day and maintained a 3.97 CGPA. After passing her GED exam (1st attempt) and completing the Medial Assistant Diploma program, LaToyia became certified as a Medical Assistant and immediately enrolled in the Medical Assisting Associate Degree Program. Currently she is working in the field as a Medical Assistant who administers vaccines; and she is developing plans to start her own business. To this day, LaToyia has referred her son and a friend to the college and they both are active students who have her support and encouragement.

I chose LaToyia for this award because she persevered through adversity. Her story is not only motivating, but encouraging to any student who is struggling and want to quit or who may think they cant do it.  We teach our students to persevere as education can open doors of opportunity.  LaToyia listened and held on to those words; and in the end, she was successful.

Commencement Speaker

Dr. Candy H. Ratliff, Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling at Texas Southern University

Dr. Candy H. Ratliff, Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling at Texas Southern University, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Board Approved Supervisor, and Licensed Sex Offender Treatment Provider. Dr. Ratliff is also a National Certified Counselor and Certified Anger Resolution Therapist. She has more than thirty (30) years of teaching experience in the elementary, secondary, and higher education systems. She taught undergraduate courses in Texas Southern University’s Department of Sociology and served as Assistant Dean for Student Services in the Thomas F. Freeman Honors College. Her current position at Texas Southern University is Interim Chair of the Department of Counseling in the College of Education.

Dr. Ratliff is a servant leader who has served on numerous committees including dissertations, graduate council, NCATE Standard V Subcommittee Co-Chair, NCATE Logistics Committee Chair, committee for the protection of human subjects, women’s studies committee, and intellectual property committee. Dr. Candy H. Ratliff has also served as research mentor to undergraduate and graduate students. Most notably, her graduate students won second place for their research presentation at the Research Association of Minority Professors Conference, February 2019 in New Orleans, LA.

Dr. Ratliff renders exemplary service and consultation to the larger community. For example, she has served as consultant with Houston ISD and Aldine ISD. She has also conducted community workshops on topics including, self-love, violence and intimate partner relationship, stress management, social media fingerprint, personal branding, and managing illness in your relationship.

In addition to being a prominent relationship therapist, Dr. Ratliff has appeared on Fox News as an expert in the field relating to recent school shootings. She has presented note-worthy research on topics including, but not limited to Educator sexual misconduct in schools, vicarious trauma and counselor supervision, building healthy self-concepts for students’ academic success, treatment of the terminally ill, and predatory relationships in schools: what’s a counselor to do?

Dr. Candy H. Ratliff is also an interactive, solution-focused therapist. Her therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. She integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, she works with everyone to help him/her build on his/her strengths and attain the personal growth s/he is committed to accomplishing.

Dr. Ratliff is a wife to Delvonnie, mother to Juanita (Jamal) and Saskia, and grandmother to two wonderful grandsons. She is a member of Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Dr. Richard Jewel Rose.

Presentation of Graduates

It is time to recognize the hard work of our graduates and wish them well in their future endeavors.

Healthcare

Business

Legal

Cosmetology

Commencement Speaker

Trina Collins – Director of Campus Administration

Mrs. Trina Collins is a dedicated wife, mother and employee. She’s always desired to help others whether it was by assisting with patient care, or motivating others to achieve their goals. Mrs. Collins joined the Remington College family as an Allied Health instructor in 2006. Prior to teaching, she worked in the medical filed as a Medical-Surgical Assistant. Her Health Sciences background expands over 20 years in various specialties such as Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oncology and Gynecological Oncology.

While teaching Medical Assistant students, Mrs. Collins simultaneously pursued higher education and ultimately earned her Master of Human Resource Management degree from DeVry University. During her tenure, she has operated in the following roles: Allied Health Instructor, Allied Health Department Chair, Director of Education, Campus Dean and most recently Director of Campus Administration. Mrs. Collins is very student centered and believes that education is necessary as it opens doors that otherwise may not open. She continues to encourage students to dream and remain focus as they pursue their prospective careers.