After 11 years leading Lake Technical College, Dr. Diane Culpepper has announced her retirement, effective August 31, 2021.
During her tenure, the college added nine new career training programs: Pharmacy Technician, Medical Assisting, Phlebotomy, HVAC/R, CNC Production Specialist, Enterprise Desktop and Mobile Support Technology, Public Safety Telecommunication (911 Dispatcher), Baking & Pastry Arts, and Veterinary Assisting. For the first time in over 20 years, a new building was built. The Center for Advanced Manufacturing provided much needed space for the welding program, which doubled in size, and for a new machining program which provides skilled workers for local manufacturers. The Corporate & Community Training division was created in order to offer customized training for business and industry. Partnerships with the state college and the school district are now stronger than ever.
“What I am most proud of is our faculty and staff who are committed to providing outstanding education for the skilled workforce in Lake County and our surrounding region. Professionally, the last 11 years have been the best of my entire career.”
The Lake Technical College’s Board of Directors named Ms. DeAnna Thomas as the next Executive Director of the College. Her career began early as a high school dual enrolled student in the Cosmetology program at Lake Technical College. After completing the program, she began working in a salon, as a salon owner, and as an international education director for a European haircare company. In 2006 she returned to Lake Tech as a faculty member and quickly moved up the ranks via almost every department on campus. Her current position is Director of Operations and she will assume her new role on June 1.
Lake Technical College is a public, post-secondary institution that offers high quality training for over 30 career and technical programs, as well as, adult education classes for GED and ESOL. The main campus is located at 2001 Kurt St., Eustis. The Institute of Public Safety is located at 1565 Lane Park Cutoff, Tavares. Visit the website www.laketech.org, or call (352) 589-2250 for more information.