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.

Donald Fox

Donald Fox is an artist, writer, and educator who lives in Houston, Texas with his wife, family, and feline friends. Mr. Fox joined the Remington College family over 20 years ago and he is considered as a very valuable employee. In addition to managing the residential libraries, he also taught English for many of those years. His current role is Learning Resource Manager/Campus Tutor. Mr. Fox is also a spiritual and physical traveler and has written of many experiences on the road to discovery in essays and blogs.

Long-standing interests in education, art, literature, music, drama, dance, science, and history have fueled success in and out of the classroom and helped him with his communication skills as well as creative play. He learned the phrase ‘continuous never-ending improvement’ from a teacher early in life and rediscovered the concept in the Japanese kaizen, which also means, change is good. The most successful also utilize lessons learned by reviewing performance on a consistent basis. Educators do the same when they encourage students to study, review, and put into practice what they learn in the classroom. Learning to work as part of a team amplifies the effort of every team member. I am grateful for Mr. Fox and I value his commitment. Through the years, he has taken on many additional duties such as reception and campus coordinator. His unwavering dedication to Remington College and its students is highly commendable.

Francisco Rengifo

In July 1982 Dr. Francisco Rengifo earned his Medical Doctor and Surgeon Diploma from the Metropolitan University of Colombia. Upon graduation as a Medical Doctor and General Surgeon, he became the Medical Director for the Colombian Red Cross Blood Bank of Medical Cartagena. In pursuit of a higher education, he was accepted in the Medical Pathology Residency program at the University of Cartagena, Colombia. After completion of the program in October 1990, he obtained his specialty degree in Clinical Pathology and Forensic Medicine.

Dr. Rengifo has worked in the medical field for over 25 years as a Clinical Pathologist and he retired from practicing medicine in June of 2009. Since he retirement, he has dedicated his time to teach students who are pursuing careers in the medical field.

Dr. Rengifo joined the Remington College family in 2015. I still remember the day he conducted his mock interview. He chose to teach us about the Circulatory System and he actually brought a preserved human heart as a prop. The presentation was very structured, very thorough, engaging, and interactive. Instantly, he became a member of the team. He shared that same level of passion and enthusiasm in the classroom. The students were immediately drawn to him; and nothing has changed to this day.  He truly cares for his students and most of all he cares that they succeed. He will simplify and clarify each objective until each student understands. Dr. Rengifo is a great instructor, and he is an asset to Remington College and our students.

Lyla Bukhari

I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Lyla at Campus Orientation, right away I knew Lyla was going to be an outstanding Dental Assisting student. I could tell by the look in her eyes that she was hungry for knowledge. Unfortunately, shortly after orientation, COVID arrived, and our Campus was closed. Lyla was very disappointed. We discussed in great length the roadblocks ahead and how if we worked together, she could overcome whatever problems may arise.

During the COVID pandemic, due to the restrictions set in place by the State of Texas, only 25% of Lyla’s essential lab courses were offered on Campus. When the time came to open the Campus in June, Lyla was here on Campus for essential labs, only to see the Campus close after two short weeks. Every Saturday, we scheduled makeup labs Lyla was here for all of it. Despite completing the entire Dental Assisting Program during the COVID pandemic, Lyla graduated with a GPA of 3.67.

On externship, we sent Lyla to a dentist who we know loves to teach new Dental Assistants. Dr. Rodriquez must have seen something in Lyla. Most of the time DA externs will work in sterilization for the first week and work their way chair-side, but not Lyla. Dr. Rodriquez had Lyla by his side working with him “chair-side” from the very first day. Lyla’s journal surprised me with the complicated procedures she was assisting on. I am happy to say Lyla was hired by Dr. Rodriquez at the end of her externship. I chose Lyla for this award because she was one of the first student to complete the entire Dental Assisting Program during the COVID pandemic.

Guest 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

Trades

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.