Gaskins scholarship helps visually impaired SKYCTC student pursue career in technology

BOWLING GREEN, KY. - Carmen Gaskins spent nearly three decades teaching students how technology can open doors. In retirement, she is helping make sure those doors remain open for students who might otherwise struggle to get through them.

Gaskins, who recently retired after more than 29 years as a Computer & Information Technologies (CIT) professor and program coordinator at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC), established a scholarship to help future IT professionals overcome the financial barriers that can stand between them and their dreams.

The first recipient is Jackson Blackford, a visually impaired SKYCTC student whose passion for computers has led him to pursue a career repairing computers, solving technical problems and testing accessibility features.

For Gaskins, supporting students like Blackford is exactly what the scholarship is about.

“Teaching technology brought me great passion; however, I know the process of learning it is not easy or cheap,” Gaskins said. “Even though I am no longer teaching, I wanted the opportunity to help those who have the enthusiasm to learn and remove obstacles that might stand in their way.”

Blackford has never allowed his visual impairment to stand between him and his interest in technology. Instead, he sees his experience with accessibility tools as one of his greatest strengths.

“My visual impairment has not stopped me from learning and making my dream come true about working with computers for a living,” Blackford said.

Blackford said his interest in computers began through self-directed exploration.

“I have always enjoyed looking through settings and pushing different buttons so I can understand exactly what happens with my own ears,” he said.

Now, he hopes to turn that curiosity into a career. Blackford wants to repair computers, solve computer problems and test new technology, particularly accessibility features such as screen-reading software.

“Accessibility features represent my strengths because my low vision makes me the perfect person to test these,” he said.

The Gaskins Scholarship is also helping Blackford take another important step toward independence.

“To me, this scholarship from Mrs. Carmen Gaskins helps me get one step closer to moving into my own home or apartment so I can officially start my adult life,” he said.

Even in retirement, Gaskins wanted to continue that work.

“I am pleased to help our future IT professionals accomplish their goals,” she said. “Any assistance in tuition, supplies, food, housing, or buying a computer to do their assignments brings me great joy so one will not miss out on their professional endeavor.”

For Blackford, that assistance is making a difference at a pivotal point in his life.

“I want to thank Mrs. Gaskins for presenting me with this scholarship, as it will surely help me,” he said.