Dental Hygiene’s Christopher L. Simmons Award Recipient Spends Time at Owens as Student & Instructor
Most students who graduate from Owens Community College have a unique path they’ve taken to and through school. Derek Koster is no exception.
Already with a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University, Koster graduated with his associate degree in Dental Hygiene in spring 2025. He was also the recipient of the program’s Christopher L. Simmons Honor Award, which is named after a late faculty member and granted to recognize academic achievement, community and professional leadership and to encourage high professional standards.
During his last two semesters at Owens, Koster wasn’t only a student, though. He began teaching a class on infection control for the dental hygiene program, perfectly in line with his bachelor’s in forensic science and chemistry minor.
“Throughout my whole bachelor’s degree, I was working and teaching, so I was used to that time commitment and time constraint,” Koster said. “Coming into dental hygiene school, I had a general idea that a lot of my time was going to be spread out. The faculty here was very accommodating.”
Obviously, Koster did not have to go back to school to find work in the forensic science field. He came to Owens after having an epiphany before his senior year at BGSU, realizing he wanted to stay in healthcare but not in forensic science.
While he was searching for options, a good friend already in the dental hygiene program at Owens suggested he look into it. He said he’s so much happier and more fulfilled now than he ever would have been in forensic science.
“I applied for other programs when I came here, but when I got the email that I was accepted in hygiene, I dove right in,” Koster said. “Now it’s like my biggest passion, being able to educate individuals. Not just clean their teeth, but give them the why we should do these things to keep your mouth healthy.”
The Sylvania native wasn’t sure what his experience would be like at a two-year community college after going through four years at a larger state university.
He was impressed with the personal attention and how hands-on the instructors were. He said they make sure every student has an understanding of the course material before passing them on to the next class.
“I was nervous coming from a four-year university about what the process would be like, but it set me up to better help myself and help others,” Koster said. “Just from an Owens standpoint, the community is so well connected. It’s nice to see how many resources we have for students, non-traditional students especially.”
Published May 2025