On November 4-6, the 31st annual TCSG Georgia Student Fall Leadership Conference was held virtually, with approximately 300 attendees. The theme of the conference was "The Matrix of Leadership" and the top-3 registered colleges were Southern Regional Technical College, South Georgia Technical College, and Atlanta Technical College. Attendees participated in a variety of leadership sessions covering topics from “Top Secret Tips of Virtual Engagement: How to Virtualize Your Enterprise” to “Leading in the Pandemic: A Labor of Love.” Additionally, advisors engaged in a virtual roundtable discussion and students received customized officer training. An online scavenger hunt and evening trivia session provided attendees the opportunity to connect online beyond the formal leadership events. Attendance at the conference included representatives from the Georgia Student Government Association, National Technical Honor Society, SkillsUSA, and Phi Beta Lambda. Additionally, 40 attendees represented a variety of Collegiate Student Organizations that cover a diverse spectrum of activities on their campuses. 

The winter edition of Albany Technical College’s ACCESS Magazine is finished and was printed last week. There are three editions that the Marketing and Public Relations Department produces each year: fall, spring, and a special edition in November/December. The focus is always on faculty, staff, and students. We usually distribute the magazine to faculty and staff and have print versions available on campus for students. Check out the magazine here. 

At its November 5 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Community College of Appalachia (CCA) elected Dr. Andrea Daniel, President of Athens Technical College, to represent Georgia on the CCA Board. On the CCA Board, Dr. Daniel replaces Dr. Mark Ivester, former President of North Georgia Technical College, who died earlier this year. CCA is a voluntary association of public community colleges serving the common interests of member colleges and their communities through programs and services responsive to the unique cultural, geographic, and economic development challenges facing the region. Read more here. 

According to a recent economic impact study, Atlanta Technical College (ATC) has a $201.5M economic impact on the Atlanta region, accounting for more than 3,000 jobs. The study developed by EMSI, a national leading market data analysis firm, assessed the impact of ATC on the regional and statewide economies and the benefits generated by the college for students, taxpayers, and society. The results of the economic impact report show that ATC creates a positive net impact on the regional economy and generates a positive return on investment for students and the greater community. “ATC and other technical colleges serve as the backbone for local economies, support essential workforce growth, and expand economic mobility opportunities with an unmatched return on the investment,” said ATC President Dr. Victoria Seals.

Dr. Jermaine Whirl became the new president of Augusta Technical College in November. He talks with WJBF’s Jennie Montgomery about the school’s mission and its important role in economic development. Watch the video here.  

Two years ago, Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) opened enrollment for the Physical Therapist Assistant program, one of its most innovative and state-of-the-art associate degree programs. Recently, the program successfully completed all requirements and received accreditation. The program celebrated its accreditation and its charter cohort of students in a socially distanced, on-campus pinning ceremony last Thursday on the Warner Robins campus. The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), the only accrediting agency recognized by state licensing boards, granted the CGTC Physical Therapist Assistant Program a Candidate for Accreditation in November 2018. 

Today’s skilled workforce includes an increasing need for video production professionals who are trained to meet the growing business demand for digital content. “This is the way the world is moving, with so much digital content being used online and in marketing and branding,” said Meredith Muse, the lead instructor for the Film and Video Production Technology program at Chattahoochee Technical College. “People underestimate how much video shooting, editing, graphic design, and storytelling is now part of our world.” Read more here. 

If asked about Cindy, most people will say they remember her infectious smile and her dedication to the students at Coastal Pines Technical College. Cindy Tanner was the former Vice President of Institutional Advancement for Coastal Pines Technical College, where she served for 25 years. After Cindy Tanner passed away unexpectedly on February 16, 2020, her family, coworkers, and friends set up an Endowment with the Coastal Pines Technical College Foundation; the very Foundation that she ran and grew for many years. Read more here. 

To encourage registration for Spring 2021, Columbus Technical College (CTC) kicked off “Instant Enrollment Week” last week, where future students were able to click on a WebEx link and talk face-to-face via a webcam with everyone on the CTC enrollment team. From admissions to financial aid to advising – it was done in an instant. 

Pulling his brand-new tractor-trailer truck into the parking lot of Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) Walker County Campus, Jeffery Brown, a Commercial Truck Driving graduate, talked with current students of the program about how it changed his life. “Truck driving saved me,” he told them. “There is a need for good drivers with a Commercial Driver’s License and GNTC will teach you everything you need to know.” Brown is a convicted felon; something he said has barred him from several jobs since his release. The GNTC alum said he was not sure where to turn until he found the Commercial Truck Driving program and his entire perspective changed. Read more here.

Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) students looking to improve their English language fluency or earn a high school equivalency credential can gain basic skills and manufacturing job skills in as little as five weeks and at no cost, thanks in part to a new grant from Truist Bank. Eligible GPTC Adult Education students in DeKalb, Newton, and Rockdale counties with little or no manufacturing experience can enhance their in-demand skills and enter the workforce quickly through the grant-supported Manufacturing READY Career Pathways program. Students may earn up to four industry-recognized credentials in OSHA-10, Basic Forklift Operator, CPR/First-Aid/AED, and GeorgiaBEST-SoftSkills during the intensive, short-term program. Read more here.

Gwinnett Technical College’s Networking Academy program has been featured in the National Convergence Technology Center website. Program Director Lorenzo Clarke took part in a Q&A discussing the program and the IT landscape. Click here to read more and be sure to check out the video.

The Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (RETA) is the most recognized organization nationally, dedicated to the professional development of industrial refrigeration operators and technicians. Founded in 1910, RETA is the leader in producing educational material for industrial refrigeration operators and technicians. Each year RETA recognizes a member in the education field of industrial refrigeration. This member is awarded the Guy R. King award for outstanding job performances in the education and training of members nationally and locally. The 2020 recipient of the Guy R. King award was Lanier Technical College's Greg Bryant.

North Georgia Technical College's (NGTC) Horticulture program recently hosted their annual poinsettia sale on the Clarkesville campus. Red, white, and glitter poinsettias, as well as blooming Christmas cactuses filled the greenhouses late November through early December. "Although we had to work through COVID-19 guidelines to make sure we kept all of our visitors to the greenhouses safe, we are certainly happy we were able to have our sale this year," said NGTC Interim President Dr. Michele Shirley. "This sale always helps us ring in the holidays around campus, so we definitely wanted to help spread some cheer by offering this sale for our community and our students." All proceeds from the sale benefited the Horticulture program.

Why weld? According to Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC) welding instructor Jeff Partridge, welding is a career where one can thrive. Partridge has taught welding classes at OFTC since 2007. An extensive background in the field, his knowledge, skills, and experience, make him a perfect fit for an instructor. “My welding instructor, Thomas Lyles, made a huge impact in my life and I realized there was an opportunity for me to share my knowledge and skills with students to help them become successful, just as Mr. Lyles did for me,” Partridge said.

Ogeechee Technical College is now poised to bring state-of-the-art robotics training to Southeast Georgia. The college was recently certified by FANUC America Corporation, the world leader in industrial robotics, as a FANUC Authorized Satellite Training (FAST) site, one of only 15 in the United States, and the only site in the state of Georgia. “Our comprehensive FANUC Robotics lab will be incredibly important to our region,” said Jan Moore, Vice President for Economic Development at Ogeechee Tech. “There are hundreds of manufacturers in the state of Georgia who use FANUC robotics for their manufacturing lines, and now those manufacturers can send their industrial systems mechanics directly to us to receive their initial robotics training and certifications.” Read more here.

Savannah Technical College (STC) is hosting a leadership training event, New Manager 3.0, on April 16, 2021. The one-day conference is designed for all and ideal for anyone new to leadership. The keynote speaker is Ryan Hawk. Other speakers include Savannah Bananas Owner Jesse Cole, STC Dean of Business & Professional Services Dr. Ashley Morris, Employability CEO Brendon Ferrara, City of Savannah HR Director Jeff Grant, Liberty Regional CEO Tammy Mims, and RH Foods District Manager Demietrius Frazier. Read more here. 

“Find something you like to do and go be the best you can be,” were the words of wisdom retired Telecommunications Executive Jack W. Stanley, who is a 1967 graduate of South Georgia Technical College’s Electronics program, offered when he was asked what advice he would give to the next generation of students who choose to continue their education at South Georgia Tech. He said that was also the advice he shared with his four children. Jack W. Stanley retired as a Telecommunications Executive after nearly 33 years with Time Warner Cable and 45 years in the industry. At the time of his retirement, he was the Regional Vice President Government Relations, Southeast, and was responsible for the company’s state/local government affairs interest and legislative policy for North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Virginia. Read more here. 

Southeastern Technical College’s (STC) Associate of Science in Nursing Program was granted initial accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) at the Board of Commissioner’s September 2020 meeting. The process of the initial accreditation encompassed approval of candidacy status, writing of a self-study, site visit, and the evaluation review panel. “We had a great visit by ACEN and a wonderful report. This really was a team effort and I am so grateful to be a part of a college that pulls together for the success of our students and communities,” said Teresa Coleman, STC Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Graduates were all smiles on November 30, as Southern Crescent Technical College students celebrated their graduation during two outdoor commencement ceremonies held on the Griffin Campus at the Education and Training Complex at Ellis Crossing.  As a sign of the times, this socially distanced outdoor ceremony was for graduates only, with guests able to watch from their vehicles and able to join via live stream and FM radio. This ceremony honored graduates from Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Summer 2020 and Fall 2020 semesters. Read more here.  

It has been a remarkable year for Brenda Morales Nunez. She began the free GED preparation classes at Southern Regional Tech (SRTC) in January. She was diligent in her studies, and she earned her GED in October. During this time, she was also working to obtain her United States citizenship, and we are proud to announce that she recently became an official citizen of the USA! We are so proud that you chose to start at SRTC, Brenda! Read more here. 

The West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) Foundation is launching a series of panel discussions as touchpoint for community leaders to engage with West Georgia Tech on a number of topics. The first discussion, “Pivoting for the Pandemic and Beyond,” focuses on best practices to help businesses modify operations to succeed during the COVID-19 pandemic and into the future. Panelists will be Georgia Department of Economic Development Deputy Commissioner for Rural Georgia Initiatives Amy Carter, Tanner Health System Vice President for External Affairs Brian Dill, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia Chief Operating Officer Stuart Countess, and WGTC President Dr. Scott Rule. The discussion is December 15 at 10 a.m. Anyone can join in via WebEx here. For more information, contact Kelsey Jones at kelsey.jones@westgatech.edu.

Longtime supporter and friend Sidney Morris and his wife Sharon were honored at a special Renaming Ceremony of Lowndes Hall to the Sidney and Sharon Morris Hall on the Valdosta Campus of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, along with a Topping Off Ceremony for the new Health Sciences Building. Thanks to a generous donation to the college by the Morris’, the college honored them with the renaming of Lowndes Hall. The building houses the President’s Suite and administrative offices, Business and Computer Information Systems programs, Printing and Graphics lab, Esthetics classroom and lab, Neuromuscular classroom and lab, Early Childhood classroom, and the library. Read more here. 

Check out the latest promotional video from Georgia Northwestern Technical College..