Wallace Caleb Bates is an experienced school communications professional from rural southeastern Kentucky. He currently coordinates public relations at Hazard Community & Technical College (HCTC), serving students in Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Owsley, Perry and Wolfe counties. Bates has always been interested in storytelling and writing. He spent his younger years as a columnist and intern reporter at The Times-Voice, an award-winning newspaper in Jackson, Ky., serving the greater Breathitt County area. He also has experience in statewide school communications, sports photography and other journalism-adjacent fields. Bates attributes his passion for school public relations to his internship in the Division of Communications at the Kentucky Department of Education, which led to his focus on career and technical education (CTE) as the agency's CTE communications liaison. Bates holds an associate's degree in arts with high distinction from HCTC and a bachelor of arts degree in communication studies with summa cum laude honors from Eastern Kentucky University. He is currently pursuing a master of arts degree in communication at Morehead State University and intends to pursue a doctoral degree later.In addition to his educational pursuits, Bates has received numerous awards and recognitions for advocacy work in education and community involvement.