ARC/STSA is pleased to announce the Chris Keegan Memorial Educator Scholarship recipients for 2026!
The Chris Keegan Memorial Educator Scholarship supports the professional growth and continuing education of its educators in surgical technology and surgical assisting by providing funding for three educators to attend the AccredX Conference and Expo. In 2026, awardees will receive complimentary conference registration and a two-night stay at the Hilton Fort Worth in Fort Worth, Texas.
The scholarship is designed to empower educators by providing financial assistance to those committed to advancing their expertise, improving their programs, and contributing to the success of their students. Recipients were asked to describe how the scholarship would support their career growth and further strengthen their programs. All three awardees expressed that attending AccredX would provide valuable insights on meeting accreditation Standards, effectively managing their programs, and preparing their students for their careers in surgical technology.
Read more about each recipient below and come meet them at AccredX this November.
Susan Barrier, AAS, CST, is the Program Chair for Surgical Technology at Ivy Tech Community College in Goshen, Indiana. Her journey into Surgical Technology began as a second career. After graduating from Purdue University, Barrier entered the business world, believing that was the path she was meant to follow; however, after the birth of her fourth child, Barrier realized she wanted a different future—one that was more meaningful and fulfilling.
After her sister, an operating room nurse, mentioned the profession of a Surgical Technologist, Barrier discovered a field she said changed the course of her life. From the moment Barrier stepped into the operating room, she knew she had found her calling. Over the past 18 years, she has had the opportunity to serve in a variety of roles, including Neuro Team member, Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) educator, service line coordinator, robotics coordinator, and committee member for major operating room renovation projects.
In 2024, Barrier left the hospital to build a new Surgical Technology program from scratch at Ivy Tech Community College, an experience she states to the be one of the most challenging of her career, but taught her resilience, adaptability and perseverance. Both of her graduating cohorts achieved a 100% pass rate on the CST examination and a 100% employment rate following graduation. Watching students discover their own passion for this profession has been one of the greatest rewards of her career.
Shelby Brewer, AA, AAS, CST, is a Surgical Technology Instructor at Trinity Valley Community College in Terrell, Texas, who is starting her third year of teaching Surgical Technology.
With 11 years of experience as a Certified Surgical Technologist, Brewer brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and hands-on experience to the classroom. Passionate about education and the surgical technology profession, she is committed to preparing students with the knowledge, technical skills, professionalism, and confidence needed to succeed in the operating room.
Brewer’s teaching approach emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, professionalism, teamwork, and attention to detail. She is passionate about mentoring future surgical technologists and helping students develop the technical competence, confidence, and ethical standards necessary to provide safe, high-quality patient care.
Through education, clinical experience, and continuous professional development, Brewer’s goal is to inspire the next generation of surgical technologists and prepare them to become knowledgeable, compassionate, and dependable members of the surgical team.
Carol Lavender, M.Ed., CRCST, CST, is a Surgical Technology educator and program director committed to preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals at Grayson College in Denison, Texas. She earned her National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) certification in 2011 and holds a Master of Education degree in Curriculum Development.
In 2023, Lavender became the Director of a Surgical Technology program, where she built the program from the ground up and successfully led it through accreditation, achieving accreditation with no citations. That same year, she was a featured speaker at an Educators Conference, presenting on the importance of helping students build a strong foundation for lifelong success in their education and careers.
Lavender is passionate about innovative teaching strategies, student success, and the integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare education. She credits her accomplishments to hard work, collaboration, and the guidance and support of the ARC/STSA, CAAHEP, NBSTSA, and AST, whose mentorship has helped shape her professional journey.
