Toews, Savannah

Savannah Toews, a licensed funeral director and embalmer in both Texas and Arkansas since graduating from UAHT in 2017, combines her dedication to funeral service with a passion for education. Since 2020, she has been an instructor at Northeast Texas Community College, imparting her extensive knowledge to future professionals and ensuring the industry's continued excellence. Savannah is committed to continuous learning, staying current with industry trends, and advocating for inclusivity by educating about diverse options to meet every family's unique needs.

Shurtz, Abby

Abby is a Texas transplant from Wichita, Kansas. She attended mortuary college at Kansas City Kansas Community College and began practicing as a licensed funeral director and embalmer in 2009, working in a small-town funeral home. Abby moved to Texas in 2014 to work as a sales representative for Pierce Chemical Company. In 2019, she pursued a new opportunity.

Gardner, Rebecca

With a robust blend of leadership, legal knowledge, and educational expertise, Rebecca Gardner, CFSP, is a highly accomplished professional in the funeral service profession and academia. As the founding Program Director and Assistant Professor of the Funeral Service Program at Northeast Texas Community College, Rebecca oversees program management, accreditation, and instruction in funeral home management and National Board Preparation.

Accreditation

Northeast Texas Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30003-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Northeast Texas Community College.

Northeast Texas Community College is also approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Education Agency.

Program Learning Outcomes

Mission

Funeral directors are professionals who serve others during a great time of loss, pain and grief. The mission of the NTCC Funeral Service program is to successfully combine the study of behavioral, physical and applied mortuary sciences for the goal of preparing graduates for careers as knowledgeable, skilled and innovative funeral service professionals. Program graduates will be prepared to serve members of their communities in a manner that is efficient, dignified and caring.