Wiregrass Tech students join the COVID-19 fight by manufacturing respiratory masks with 3D printers
Using Industry 4.0 technologies such as digital manufacturing, 3D printing, and real-world collaborative design software, Wiregrass students William Hoover, Shawn Lucas, and Tyler Hall decided to cease work on their nearly complete capstone project and instead use the opportunity to join the battle against the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak.

William, Shawn, and Tyler collaborated with their Wiregrass instructors, Joshua Whittington and Joe Sumner, to design and 3D print respiratory masks. The team conducted several test runs, with each student handling different aspects of the design, cost analysis, and materials needed for a limited mass production run.
 

TCSG Foundation establishes emergency relief fund

In response to the new and urgent needs impacting Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) students, the Technical College System of Georgia Foundation (TCSGF) established the TCSG Emergency Response Fund and provided the first donation of $50,000. This initial gift will provide essential computers and equipment for online learning to students in need.

“During this unprecedented situation, it’s crucial for us to act with fierce urgency to support the pressing needs facing our TCSG students, faculty, and staff. We want to keep our students on track to gainful employment, so a skilled workforce stands ready to help Georgia move forward when this crisis is over,” said TCSGF President Aleisa Howell.

The need for a well-trained workforce in Georgia remains and is increasing throughout a number of sectors during this time. COVID-19 is forcing an adjustment to educational delivery methods with a greater reliance on distance learning. As such, the need for computers and equipment for students who do not have access to these items is increasing.

The TCSG Foundation is committed to helping TCSG colleges prepare a workforce and provide students every resource possible to keep them on track for graduation and gainful employment. Donations to the Emergency Response Fund will help maintain responsiveness in times of struggle while continuing TCSG’s commitment to support students, faculty, and staff.

“This emergency response fund is an important piece to helping TCSG get through this crisis and the gift of computers will help many of our students reach the finish line,” said TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier. “I commend the TCSG Foundation for their generosity to our colleges, with special thanks to Aleisa Howell, President of The Technical College System of Georgia Foundation Board of Trustees, and her fellow Trustees for their leadership in this initiative.”

To learn more about the TCSG Emergency Response Fund and how you can help, please visit: www.tcsgfoundation.org.
 

TCSG Adult Education announces plans for remote proctoring

TCSG and the Office of Adult Education is excited to announce that the Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) will be providing the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) Locator as an unlocked easy-to-use assessment the week of April 20. Additionally, DRC will release the TABE 11&12 for remote proctoring via WebEx by April 24. The registration and reporting for learners will continue through DRC’s Insight Platform following DRC protocols. Testing will take place remotely via a Google Chrome browser and webinar trainings for proctors will be offered the week of April 20.
 

Governor Kemp signs executive order allowing remote notarization

Last Thursday, Governor Kemp issued an executive order to temporarily allow remote notarization and attestation. This will help our Adult Education and Workforce Development programs to continue to operate. Prior to the order, we did not have a way to verify eligible students through the statutorily-required affidavit process that typically needs in-person notarization. Through the use of technology, we are now able to verify those individuals and provide the services in these departments. TCSG appreciates Governor Kemp’s action to ensure we are able to provide help during this unprecedented period.
 

TCSG's Penni Haberli makes masks for Lewis Mortuary

Thank you, Penni, for making these masks for Lewis Mortuary!
 

TCSG’s 2020 Fast Facts is now online
 

Check out these heart-warming videos featuring Covid-19 survivors


Mr. Jenkins from was the first discharged ventilator patient from Phoebe Health in Albany. Thank you for passing this on, President Parker!

Olive Marie Vidal-Kendall, Columbus Technical College Director of Disability and Student Services, was the first discharged ventilator patient from St. Francis Emory Healthcare in Columbus. We are thrilled to share this video taken as Ms. Olive was transferred from ICU to a regular hospital room!
 
An Albany Technical College nursing instructor is making and giving away masks for her community. However, she is doing it in a unique way that goes above and beyond social distancing guidelines. Cortney Williams makes at least six trips a day to the mailbox. No, it’s not to check for mail but instead, she’s helping nurses and many others fight the coronavirus.
 
Athens Technical College is using technology from its Drafting Technology Program and its library's Tech Nest to create 3D-printed face shields for local healthcare needs. #TCSGtogether
 
 
In an effort to help medical workers in the fight against COVID-19, Atlanta Technical College's Health and Public Safety Division donated multiple boxes of nitrile gloves and N-95 masks to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. #TCSGtogether
 
Chattahoochee Technical College donated over 200 pounds of food from the college’s Culinary program to Cobb County firefighters, to offer support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Making this delivery on behalf of the college was the Chattahoochee Tech Campus Police Department, under the direction of Tim Hilley, who serves as the college’s Director of Public Safety. #TCSGtogether
 
Chattahoochee Technical College provided Piedmont Mountainside Hospital in Jasper with 10 Hill-Rom hospital beds from the college’s Appalachian Campus. This donation will be used as needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. #TCSGtogether 
 
Georgia Northwestern Technical College utilized their commercial truck driving program to transport hospital beds provided by GEMA to Floyd Medical Center. #TCSGtogether
 
Georgia Piedmont Technical College Paralegal Studies faculty member Celia Murray produced 140 handmade, fabric face masks during spring break. Ms. Murray began sewing the masks to donate to the emergency room at Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin, Ga., where her daughter and daughter-in-law are both nurses. She then shared them with family members, neighbors and others who need them, including staff at a local pediatrician’s office and a pharmacy. Thank you for giving back, Ms. Murray! #TCSGtogether
 
Gwinnett Technical College gathered its supply of ventilators used in its Respiratory Care program and other health sciences and nursing programs to donate to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA). “Gwinnett Tech donated 1,095 N95 masks and 160,000 gloves, as well as 10 ventilators,” said President Dr. D. Glen Cannon. All of this was coordinated through the Technical College System of Georgia and GEMA with assistance from Gwinnett Tech Police Chief Blouin, faculty and staff. #TCSGtogether
 
Chris Sirmans, Gwinnett Technical College's Dean of Engineering, Construction, Manufacturing and Design, and member of the Georgia National Guard, has been called upon by the Georgia State Defense Force to assist in cleaning and sanitizing nursing homes in South Georgia. The Georgia State Defense Force provides emergency assistance to state and local governments, in addition to supporting other branches of the Georgia Department of Defense.  #TCSGtogether 
 
Meet Erika, frontline hero! Erika, a dual enrollment high school senior, is completing the Nurse Aide program through Lanier Technical College and plans to be a registered nurse. Erika began volunteering at a hospice just before the COVID-19 crisis. Her group had just one day of clinicals before the quarantine. Even though her clinical experience was postponed, Erika took a job at a nursing home to help others. She's busy with her online classes from home while caring for our most vulnerable population. #TCSGtogether
 
North Georgia Technical College delivered the college's refrigerated trailer to the Atlanta Farmers Market, where it will be used by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency for food storage. Pictured is NGTC’s CDL instructor, Danny Card. #TCSGtogether
 
Oconee Fall Line Technical College has been supporting GEMA’s efforts for the past three weeks by transporting needed equipment and supplies around the state. OFTC is here to help, including the continuation of educating essential industry workers! #TCSGtogether
 
Ogeechee Technical College donated approximately 11,000 medical-grade gloves to the COVID-19 relief efforts. OTC Campus Police Chief Ryan McNeal delivered boxes of gloves to Oconee Fall Line Technical College who then added supplies of their own and transported them to Atlanta. These much-needed supplies were collected by the TCSG system office and distributed according to healthcare needs across the state. #TCSGtogether
 
Savannah Technical College donated 15,000 thermometer covers (60 boxes) to Liberty Regional Medical Center recently to help with COVID-19 screenings. Thank you STC for helping your community. #TCSGtogether
 
In response to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency's call for donations, Southeastern Technical College's Health Sciences department, along with the Economic Development department, contributed N95 masks and nitrile gloves to help supply the Georgia Department of Public Health’s central repository. #TCSGtogether
 
Southern Crescent Technical College is helping to reduce the impact of Coronavirus in Georgia by rounding up supplies and distributing them to those on the front line. Nearly 42,000 medical gloves have been pulled from SCTC labs and sent to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to be distributed where they’re needed most. #TCSGtogether
 
Southern Crescent Technical College alumni, Ebony Thomas currently works PRN (when necessary) at Grady, and also works with a nursing agency. She will begin work this week as a medical surgical staff in a hospital in New York City that the Department of Defense has built during the COVID-19 pandemic. #TCSGtogether
 
The Southern Regional Technical College School of Health Sciences donated medical supplies to GEMA for use in the fight against COVID-19. SRTC donated 920 N95 masks, 88,350 pairs of gloves, and other vital medical supplies from its Bainbridge, Moultrie, Tifton, and Thomasville campus locations. Thank you to members of SRTC's security team at each location for your help and hard work. Finally, thank you to the CDL program for mobilizing to provide transportation for the pick-up and delivery of all of these life-saving supplies. #TCSGtogether
 
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College donated approximately 52,000 gloves and 200 N95 masks to be sent to Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency for distribution as needed in Georgia.  #TCSGtogether 
 
Gwinnett Technical College's Hudgens Early Education Center has developed YouTube videos of teachers reading aloud for Pre-K students to enjoy at home. 
 
Check out South Georgia Technical College's salute to essential workers!
 
 

DO THE FIVE!

Help stop coronavirus

  1. HANDS Wash them often
  2. ELBOW Cough into it
  3. FACE Don't touch it
  4. SPACE Keep safe distance
  5. HOME Stay if you can