DCC  Staff 

Dr. Leah Akins is the TTA program coordinator and has been with the program since 1996. A teacher for 28 years, Leah has attended  Drexel University, Lehigh University, and Lafayette College. Hobbies include hiking, camping, volleyball, and skiing.

When asked her thoughts on the TTA program Leah stated"I consistently have let other industry partners know that the TTA program is a model education program for technical education.  Providing support in the form of work time, laptops, and text books, providing financial incentives, and making sure the education is at a college level for college credit are proven benchmarks of a successful technical education program.  The fact that the TTA participant gains college credits means that the coursework is valued outside of the company and is independently certified."

When new students consider joining the TTA program, Leah feels "Here are two important things that prospective students should not only know, but believe.  We tell students that completing this degree (as is the case for any college degree) will take time and commitment.  Since this is being accomplished while other adult pressures are in play … full-time job and family … the individual needs to not only be prepared to sacrifice the time needed to be successful but to get the support of their family.  The family members should understand how important this undertaking is to you and also how valuable completing the degree is to everyone in the family.  The family members should also understand that you will not have the same time for them as you have had in the past.  It is important to get that buy-in and, perhaps, to make a point of scheduling quality family time during the 22 weeks per year that classes are not in session. The other thing that prospective students need to know is that if their Math ASSET score on the entry exam is not at least 41, they really should take a preparatory math course (MAT091) before entering the program. And if they had problems with the first math course, they should take MAT100 in the summer prior to the second math course."

Carol is the assistant to the program coordinator of the TTA program for the past 16 years. She has worked at DCC for 34 years. A Wappingers Falls resident, Carol attended  Berkeley College in White Plains NY as well as DCC. In her spare time Carol enjoys time in her garden and also enjoys sewing. Her thoughts on the TTA program; "I feel it's a great opportunity for Verizon employees, and I have enjoyed working with all of the students that have come through the program." In her opinion, new students should know that " Math is such an important part of this program. Make sure you have dome some preparation work before starting. Understand the time commitment that will be needed to succeeed in our program".

 Jack Dockery was our very first Teacher here at DCC, and  in our opinion, a great person to start out our education with. Jack had a way of making us feel comfortable in our new environment and was always quick with a smile. He will be missed.

 A teacher for the past 36years, Liz Albertson has been with the TTA program for 12 of those 36 years. Liz was working at Red Hook High School before her time at DCC. Her home town is Galway, New York, and she attended Daemen College in Buffalo.Her hobbies include gardening, cooking, books, and movies. Her thoughts on the TTA program are " I think it's a  marvelous opportunity to extend your educational potential". She would like new students to know " That this is college, not a workshop or seminar, and a liberal arts education is valuable".

Bill Ecker has been with the TTA program since 2004. He is a retired Verizon employee who had 38 years with the company. Bill got his start as a teacher at the NY Telephone Engineering school, and came to DCC in 1996 where he taught  in the ELT program. When not teaching, Bill is a volunteer Fireman with his hometown Fire Dept. in Gardiner NY. He also enjoys working on computers, Telephony projects, and spending time with his garndchildren. A graduate of DCC, Bill says " The TTA program is a great opportunity for Telephone Techs to acquire an advanced education. I love to share "War Stories" with today's students about the old pre-divestiture Bell System and various technologies that have made telephony a great part of culture". He would like potential students to know,"It’s too bad that the company has eliminated so many of the old Basic Craft Training Schools. A little more knowledge of ‘Basic Telephony Principles’ would really help, especially in the new curriculum which is heavily weighted to data and does not allow us the time to cover the ‘Legacy Basics’ like we used to".

Renee has been teaching in the TTA program for the past 9 years. When asked what potential students joining the TTA program should expect, Renne said,
" The TTA program is a degree program, and so there are college expectations. I think it is also very important for students to realize that the material they learn in one course gets carried into the next course. It is not a learn it then forget type of environment."

Les is formerly of  Woburn MA,and a graduate of Norwich University. A former I.B.M.er, Les has been teaching for 21 years and has been involved with the TTA program for nearly 16 years. When he is not teaching, Les can be found hiking, camping, or involved with amature radio. Les thinks the TTA program is " A great program for employees who want to learn more". He would also like new students to know that,"Prospective students should understand that it's going to be lots of work"