Valerie Hays
Valerie Hays is our current Director of Recruitment.
Gracie Kreis
Gracie Kreis is one of our recruiters.
Blane Newfield
Blane Newfield is a Student Success Coach and Recruiter at Connors State College. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Texas A&M University in 2013 as a non-traditional student. He recently earned a Graduate Certificate in HR Management from Southern New Hampshire University and is currently enrolled in course work to complete the Professional Human Resources Certification through the University of Syracuse. Blane served over 16 years in the US Military in various career fields with multiple deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch, Global War on Terrorism, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Spartan Shield. Outside of his professional career, Blane enjoys spending time with his wife and four children. Blane’s fun fact is that he also enjoys hunting/fishing, USPSA competitions and playing golf when time/weather allows.
Allie Marks
Allie Marks is a Student Success Coach at Connors State College. She started as a work-study in the admissions department and then as the receptionist in the nursing department. What she loves about Connors is that we really do “build futures one at a time”. A fun fact about Allie is that she is a first generation college graduate!
Cherokee Riddle
Cherokee Riddle has been working for Connors State College since 2021. He started in the registrar’s office as a registrar’s clerk and has since moved to become a student success coach and recruiter. One of his passions has always been helping others. He has a Bachelor’s in Instrumental Music Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. A fun fact about Cherokee is he enjoys playing the tuba, reading, watching football, and swimming.
Lacie Hill
Lacie Hill is a Student Success Coach at Connors State College, and she is a proud Connors alumna. She is currently completing her bachelor’s degree in psychology and looking into transferring to OSU Forensic Psychology Degree Program to eventually obtain a Doctorates in Forensic Psychology. Her goal is to continue to help students achieve their degree goals for years to come by staying at Connors and eventually teaching future students. What Lacie loves the most about Connors is “it feels like home. I never thought I would be able to go to college and make something of my life and I never thought I was smart enough. I just want to help students be successful and to make sure their Connors experience is as great for them as it was for me.” Fun Fact: Lacie is a proud mother to a very sweet and loving autistic boy and a very lucky wife. She likes to play video games in her spare time, likes to do woodburning, and spend as much time with her son and husband as possible.
Trent Todd
Trend Todd is one of our Student Success Coaches.
Amber McKibben
Amber McKibben is a dedicated Student Success Coach focusing on students interested in Agriculture at Connors State College. As a proud Connors alumna, Amber was an active member of the Rodeo Team, Student Government Association (SGA), and Ag Ambassadors during her time here. She earned her Associate’s degree in Animal Science in 2017 before continuing her education at Northeastern State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s in Communication in 2021. What Amber loves most about Connors is the sense of community—it feels like a second home, where everyone is welcoming, and the atmosphere is warm and comforting. Fun fact: Along with her passion for barrel racing and all things rodeo, Amber loves spending time with her family hunting and fishing whenever she can!