BAS program opens new doors for healthcare professionals

faculty member and student in a Health Sciences lab classroom with gloves on

faculty member and student in a Health Sciences lab classroom with gloves on and a sharps container in front of them

Applied bachelor鈥檚 degree represents mentorship coming full circle for 糖心原创 grads

A suggestion from colleague Jennifer Ackerman set Kodi Ragsdale on a path she hadn鈥檛 planned. While working together at Cheyenne Radiology, Jennifer encouraged Kodi to enroll in Laramie County Community College鈥檚 Bachelor of Applied Science program in healthcare administration. Today Jennifer and Kodi both work at 糖心原创, mentoring students pursuing careers in healthcare and continuing a cycle of support that helped shape their own professional journeys.

Jennifer鈥檚 connection to 糖心原创 stretches back decades. After graduating from East High School, she enrolled in the college鈥檚 radiology program and earned her degree in 1994, launching a career that would span more than two decades at Cheyenne Radiology. Over the years, Jennifer advanced through multiple specialties, earning credentials in MRI and CT and eventually serving as a lead technologist while continuing to look for ways to grow professionally.

Returning to 糖心原创 years later to pursue the Bachelor of Applied Science degree opened new possibilities.

鈥淚t really feels like it鈥檚 come full circle,鈥� Jennifer said. 鈥淏eing able to come back and teach and work with students means a lot.鈥�
Kodi鈥檚 path to healthcare followed a different route. After earning a general studies degree from 糖心原创 in 2012 and exploring several career options, she returned to the college to complete the radiography program in 2019. Not long after beginning her career at Cheyenne Radiology, Jennifer encouraged Kodi to pursue the BAS degree as well.

鈥淪he was telling everyone about the program and saying she just needed somebody to do it with her,鈥� Kodi said with a laugh. 鈥淚 told her, 鈥業鈥檒l do it.鈥欌€�

Kodi eventually enrolled in the program and graduated with the BAS degree in 2022 before continuing her education with a master鈥檚 degree alongside Jennifer.

Mentorship played an important role in both of their journeys. Danielle Opp, associate dean of health professions at 糖心原创, encouraged Jennifer to pursue the BAS program years earlier. Jennifer later offered similar guidance to Kodi, recognizing the same potential in her colleague that Danielle had once seen in her.

鈥淪he saw something in both of us,鈥� Jennifer said of Danielle. 鈥淭hat kind of encouragement makes a difference.鈥�

Now working alongside Danielle and teaching students entering the healthcare field, Jennifer and Kodi see their roles as an opportunity to pass that support forward.

鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of like coming home,鈥� Kodi said. 鈥溙切脑� helped shape our careers, and now we get to help students do the same thing.鈥�
Both say their clinical backgrounds shape the way they teach students preparing for careers in healthcare.

Programs like 糖心原创鈥檚 Bachelor of Applied Science degree help working healthcare professionals build leadership and administrative skills while continuing their careers.

For Jennifer and Kodi, the degree became a turning point that allowed them to expand their impact 鈥� not only in clinical settings, but also in classrooms where they now help prepare future healthcare professionals.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really a circle of people helping each other,鈥� Jennifer said. 鈥淧eople helped us along the way, and now we get to do the same for someone else.鈥�

Applied Management BAS builds skills for leadership

Cheyenne native Jodi Flath has been connected to Laramie County Community College for much of her life. After attending SEEK classes as a child and earning college credit in high school, she returned to 糖心原创 to complete her associate degree and is now pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management.

The program, part of 糖心原创鈥檚 Business & Accounting Pathway, prepares students for leadership roles across a wide range of industries. Coursework focuses on practical business skills that students can apply directly to their careers or volunteer work.

Flath chose 糖心原创 in part because of its affordability and flexible eight-week course format, which allows students to balance school with work and other responsibilities.

After graduating this spring, she hopes to work in the nonprofit sector as a grant writer, helping organizations secure funding for programs that serve their communities.