New administrator is on the job in Randolph

RANDOLPH — Colonial Manor in Randolph welcomed a new administrator, Ashlee Powers, to their staff last Wednesday.

Though she’s only been in Randolph for three weeks, the South Carolinian is already embracing small-town Nebraska life and is excited about her new position.

The first-generation college student received her undergraduate degree at the College of Charleston in Charleston, S.C., and her MBA and MHA from the University of Scranton in Scranton, Penn. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology, as well as a master’s degree in clinical psychology.

“I had to work my way to get to where I am, and it’s been a lot of hard work and a really long time,” said Powers. “But I just love serving the senior population.

Powers said she has always had a strong connection to caretaking and is passionate about elderly care.

“A lot of people call me an old soul; I’m just very drawn to them,” said Powers. “I’m so passionate about what I do and making sure that they’re taken care of, because they don’t expect a lot, but they deserve a lot.”

She started out of college working in hospice in South Carolina and was a grief counselor for six years at the hospice house in Charleston.

Working with support groups was where she became interested in long-term care and began looking for positions in the field. During her search, she found an administrative training program on Indeed and made the 1,300-mile move to Omaha.

In her administrative training at Keystone Ridge in Omaha, she assisted in a 100-bed facility and served a “poor, neglected demographic.”

“It was a really good experience to work with the homeless, addiction, and a lot of mental health issues. It gave me a well-rounded experience,” said Powers.

She trained there for seven months before The Colonial Manor approached Powers with the opportunity to work in Randolph.

Now overseeing much of the renovations and overall management of the Colonial Manner, Powers said she has plans to advocate for seniors after she gets settled in. Topics she mentioned included Medicaid advocacy and overall fundraising for nursing homes.

“We are a part of the Nebraska Healthcare Association, so we can take classes and training to get certified,” said Powers.

She also has plans to connect the nursing home with the community more, once she gets her bearings and feels a little more comfortable.

“We’re going to start doing a lot more community events, at least monthly,” said Powers. We want to host events for the community so some of the other seniors can have more things to do locally.”

Though new to Randolph, Powers brings years of experience and heartfelt dedication and hopes to make Colonial Manor not just a care facility, but a true home for its residents.