Meet the 2022 Award Recipients

Lifetime Achiever Award

Ray Christopher is an R&D Engineer for Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), located in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Ray serves as a Production Agency Liaison to the Kansas City National Security Campus/Honeywell in his role. As a Production Agency Liaison, Ray oversees the production work of LANL-designed components fabricated at KCNSC/Honeywell.

Prior to accepting his current position at LANL, Ray worked for KCNSC/Honeywell for 31 years. As a KCNSC employee, he worked as a Project Lead, Product Engineer, and Quality Engineer. During his career at KCNSC/Honeywell, Ray received many honors for his leadership, including induction into the Black Achievers Society (BAS) of Greater Kansas City in 2004.

Since his induction, Ray has served in many roles with the Black Achievers Society, including President 2010-2013. He currently serves on the Executive Board as a scholarship and golf tournament committee member. He has served as a volunteer on his neighborhood’s beautification committee and volunteers at Harvesters.

Ray earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Prairie View A & M University in Prairie View, Texas. He is married (Diane) and resides in Overland, Kansas. Ray and his wife are members of Grace Church, where he serves on the Board and usher team.

Achiever of the Year

Christal embodies the mission of the Metropolitan Community College (MCC) in her current role as Student Services Manager for MCC Online. Throughout her career at MCC, Christal has served in multiple roles. In 2010, Christal onboarded as the TRIO Upward Bound academic advisor. She later became coordinator of academic advising overseeing her teams case management and Higher Learning Commission criterion. Christal directed community collaborations with FEC, Drumm Farm Center, Independence School District Adult Education and other area community resources. In 2011, Christal took on a teaching role as an instructor for freshman seminar. Christal continues working on across district as a member of the Wolfpack Reimagined steering committee, First Year Experience, Civic Action Planning, DEI initiatives and strategic planning. In her current role, she heads three departments as the Enrollment Manager, Student Success Manager, and Engagement Manager. Christal was honored at the Kansas City Royals home game and threw the first pitch for MCC.

Christal holds a Bachelors of Arts in Communication-Public Relations, minors in Art and French from McKendree University, in Lebanon, Illinois and a Master of Science in Academic Advising from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. She received a certificate in International Relations from MCC, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership—academic advising administration.

In her field, Christal received certificates in Academic Advising Administrators Institute in NACADA: The Global Community of Academic Advising and John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education, Equity in Retention Academy. Christal holds professional membership in NAACP, NACADA, NASPA, MCCA, and AAFSA. She currently serves as board member to Region 6 American Association for Women in Community Colleges as secretary and Black Achievers Society as Vice President of Programs. Within the organization, Christal has served on public relations, sponsorship, Youth Leadership Development Workshop, and IT Team who carried out the website revamp. As a volunteer, Christal serves her community by coaching track and field for Palestine AAU since 2000; a partner with the Boys & Girls Club. She also dedicates much of her time to serving the praise dance ministry and leads coordination for groups at her church.

Christal adores her loving husband of 10 years, Keith Cadenhead and 6 year old son, Jordan.