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West Georgia Tech’s Elizabeth Rodriguez named 2021 Student of the Year

The Technical College System of Georgia announced the state’s top technical college student for 2021. Elizabeth Rodriguez, a Registered Nursing student from West Georgia Technical College was chosen as this year’s Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner. Read more >

Ogeechee Tech’s Casey Corbett named TCSG’s Instructor of the Year

The Technical College System of Georgia announced the state’s top technical college instructor for 2021. Casey Corbett, a Fish and Wildlife Management instructor from Ogeechee Technical College was chosen as the winner of this year’s Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction. Read more >

Technical College System of Georgia and Georgia Department of Community Affairs to Implement $8.367 Million Grant in Southwest Georgia

The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) has been selected by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to administer the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Workforce Development Program. The grant will utilize $8.367 million of the $41.837 million allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded to Georgia in response to Hurricane Michael (2018). Read more >

Albany Technical College had a virtual live Facebook presentation featuring Design and Media Production Technology on April 14. Faculty and staff were on hand during the event that highlighted what is new in the program as well as expected outcomes for graduates. The presentation included the areas of specialization to choose from in Design and Media Production Technology. The college just recently added the Video and Film Editor Technical Certificate of Credit to the program. Video and Film Editor is a 19-hour certificate designed to prepare students for employment in video and film production. Students will learn the creative and technical aspects of video production and editing through classroom and hands-on projects. Learn more >

Athens Technical College will soon begin construction on a new Industrial Systems Technology building following completion of the demolition of Building S (previously Compass Church) that has begun on the main campus at the intersection of Hwy. 29 North and Calhoun Drive. The 45,000-square-foot space will provide additional classrooms and instructional laboratories for air conditioning technology, industrial systems technology, and mechatronics programs. Read more >

On May 15, WSB-TV anchor Fred Blankenship served as Atlanta Technical College's 2021 commencement keynote speaker and shared words of inspiration and encouragement for the graduating class, centered on the contemporary theme of "Excellence." “We are living in a world that is craving technical leaders who can lead the way,” said award-winning journalist Blankenship who joined WSB-TV as its morning and noon anchor in 2007. “Today, your journey begins. Over the past few years, this institution has given you real skills and real knowledge. You have transformed your lives through the power of technical education. You are the key to our future. Be bold about it.” Read more >

Augusta Technical College is proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Randall Hatcher as the new chairman of the Augusta Technical College Foundation. A 1978 graduate of the University of Georgia, Randy has worked for MAU Workforce Solutions, a family-owned business founded by his late father, William G. Hatcher. MAU’s reach extends internationally, and it is one of the largest independently owned staffing firms in North America. Read more >

Central Georgia Technical College will offer faculty, staff, students, and community members the opportunity to participate in on-campus COVID-19 vaccine clinics on June 2 and 3. Houston Healthcare will offer two on-campus, drop-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics at the Warner Robins campus. The Macon campus clinic will be conducted by the Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) Response. Read more >

Chattahoochee Technical College graduate Alderine Healey was named the 2020 Private Pre-K Teacher of the Year by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL). For the past five years, Healey served as a lead Pre-K teacher at the YMCA Paulding Early Learning Center in Hiram. She began her teaching career there 11 years ago in the afterschool program, and then served as an assistant teacher before becoming a lead Pre-K teacher. “The magnitude of this recognition is not lost on me, as I know there are many deserving Pre-K teachers across Georgia, and I hope to make them proud,” said Healey. Read more >

The Coastal Pines Technical College Foundation recently received a $10,000 grant from the Terry Thomas Foundation. The Terry Thomas Foundation was established in 2004 and is located in Glynn County on Sea Island. Ms. Thomas passed away in 2011, but her Foundation continues to have a powerful impact on her community. This grant will be used to help sponsor Free Application Day at Coastal Pines. Prospective students typically pay a $25 application fee for admission to the College, but the grant will help students who cannot afford to pay the application fee. The College hosts several free application days before each term in an effort to make the transition to college easier for students.

Columbus Technical College hosted simultaneous events on May 19. A vaccination site, in partnership with the West Georgia Health Department, and a back-to-school Summer Social complete with music, food, and fun. An estimated 300 people turned out! It was so nice seeing CTC team members and students out and about on a beautiful day. Learn more >

An 18-year-old dual enrollment student received an associate degree in Applied Technical Management and a diploma in Welding and Joining Technology from Georgia Northwestern Technical College as well as his high school diploma from Rome High School. When he is not in the classroom or in the welding lab, Andrew Harrell is on the road competing and winning in welding competitions. So far this year, Harrell has won $11,000 in scholarship money and a customized Lincoln Redface SA 200 welding machine. Read more >

On May 10, Gov. Brian Kemp signed off on the budget for the construction of a new $5.77M facility that will house Georgia Piedmont Technical College’s regional transportation and logistics training center in Lithonia, replacing and enhancing the College’s current CDL training location there. Upon completion, it will be the largest training site in Georgia that specifically caters to building a strong workforce in support of the transportation industry. The 28,000-square-foot training center will be instrumental in producing skilled workers to serve the Metro Atlanta area, notably from Commercial Truck Driving, Diesel Technology, and Automotive Technology programs — in addition to short-term training options such as forklift certification and entrepreneurship incubator space in support of transportation start-ups.

On May 11, Jim Ellis Automotive Group and Volkswagen of America proudly donated a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas to Gwinnett Technical College to support the college’s Automotive Technology Program. The donation of a new vehicle means students will have more real-world accessibility to relevant technology, training, and resources to equip them with up-to-date tools and knowledge for their future automotive careers. Robert Bauman, program director for the general automotive department at Gwinnett Tech, looks forward to equipping his students with enhanced technology training. “Automotive technology changes at lightning speed,” says Bauman. “This donation from Jim Ellis ensures that we can teach the latest, most relevant technology to our students. Without support like this, we would be at a disadvantage training future technicians.”

On May 10, TCSG held its Regional Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) and Rick Perkins announcement ceremony. The ceremony was held virtually by Facebook Live for colleges to spectate from their respective campuses. Lanier Technical College’s GOAL Student of the Year, Mitch Beccue, was announced as one of the three finalists for the Northern Region.

North Georgia Technical College recently hosted a group of retired agriculture teachers from the Northeast Georgia area for a luncheon on the Clarkesville campus. President John Wilkinson welcomed the group and spoke about the future plans of the agriculture program at the college. He also informed everyone that the college had its first three students to graduate with an associate degree in agriculture at the college's most recent commencement ceremony in May. "We are very proud of our agriculture program and how its enrollment has grown since we started the program," said President Wilkinson. "We welcome our retired agriculture teachers on our campus, and I know they will be great ambassadors for our program and college."

Abigael Aaron elected not to finish high school. But, she had a passion for makeup design and knew she needed to further her education if she wanted to make a career for herself. After watching her sister attend and graduate from Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC), Aaron decided to attend OFTC in pursuit of her high school equivalency. “My goal was to receive the equivalent of a high school diploma and higher education towards a career,” Aaron said. Read more >

Ogeechee Technical College is one of only five colleges in the country that has been selected as a training provider for Amazon’s Mechatronics and Robotics Apprenticeship (MRA) Program. This program, which is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, gives individuals the opportunity to apply for an apprenticeship that will train them on industrial maintenance skills and the technical knowledge needed to fulfill a technical maintenance role with Amazon. Apprentices that see the program through can make more money and acquire the skills necessary for better career opportunities and higher wages—all at no cost to them. Read more >

Savannah Technical College (STC) has been awarded a patent for the historic marker fabrication process. This is based on a project STC students started in 2017, as a fix for damaged historical markers to preserve the past for the future at a fraction of the cost. STC students designed, engineered, and cast the channeled historic marker collar replacement bracket or base that could be adapted to fit different marker designs. The collar may be manufactured in large quantities, taken into the field, and used to replace damaged collars at a substantially reduced cost. Also, it will allow the text section of the signs to be preserved rather than discarded.

Minh Nguyen moved his family from Vietnam to the United States 16 years ago in order to provide better educational opportunities for his two children. After both his son and daughter graduated from Yale and moved on to establish their own careers, Minh decided it was time to pursue his own goals. He enrolled in the Adult Education program at South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) and earned recognition as SGTC’s EAGLE (Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education) student on the way to earning his High School Equivalency. Minh also enrolled in SGTC’s ESL courses to improve his English. Read more >

The Daniell Baptist Association’s Mobile Dental Ministry, sponsored by Calvary on Aimwell, recently offered free dental cleanings, fillings, and extractions. Southeastern Technical College Dental Hygiene students participate in this event annually, which provides opportunities for the students to work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals and provide patient-centered care to local citizens. Dr. Jennifer Gramiak's students took vital signs and performed cleanings while Dr. Mark Oxley treated patients.

Southern Crescent Technical College hosted a Ribbon Cutting and Open House for the Associate of Science in Nursing lab on the Flint River Campus in Thomaston on May 5. With nearly 75 supporters in attendance, this long-awaited celebration showcased the expansion of the Registered Nursing Program to the Flint River Campus. Dr. Alvetta P. Thomas, President of Southern Crescent Technical College welcomed the crowd and stated, “What a lovely day to celebrate technical education! The opening of this lab and the expansion of the Registered Nursing Program to the Flint River Campus are exciting accomplishments for Southern Crescent Technical College. The efforts of this community are shining examples of teamwork with all key stakeholders coming together for a common good. Read more >

Seventy-eight-year-old Helen Yates King is redefining what it means to have a senior moment. One month before her 79th birthday, she completed her very first semester as a college co-ed at Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC). Neatly dressed in her program’s soft blue scrubs, she speaks about her college days with uncontained delight. “Going to college has given me the greatest joy I have ever had. I am just enjoying this more than anything I have ever done in my life.” Read more >

Elizabeth Rodriguez, a May 2021 Registered Nursing graduate of West Georgia Technical College, has been named the state’s top technical education student. Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Commissioner Greg Dozier presented the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership to Rodriguez, a Newnan resident, on May 26 at the West Georgia Tech’s Coweta Campus. “Through her hard work, leadership, and passion for helping others, Elizabeth has rightfully earned this tremendous honor as TCSG’s student of the year,” Dozier said. “She has the admiration of her peers, her college, and the entire Technical College System of Georgia. I know that the West Georgia Technical College community is extremely proud of her as she becomes this year’s student ambassador for technical education across our state.” Read more >

Devonte Goodwine had his eyes set on a career in movies and television when he graduated from Valdosta High School in 2011. After graduation, he enrolled at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College for the summer semester to get started on his core classes. Before he could transfer to a four-year college, his mom, Angela Brantley, who is a Business Education Instructor at Wiregrass, brought home information on all of the programs Wiregrass offers. “Being an employee of Wiregrass, I knew first-hand the quality education we provide and the many program options available, so I brought home program brochures on all of the programs and let him find the one that spoke to him,” shared Brantley. After going through the brochures, Devonte knew the Digital Media Production program (now Design and Media Production) was the right choice toward his career goals.
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The Precision Machining and Manufacturing program at Georgia Northwestern Technical College prepares students for employment in the machining industry by providing hands-on experience with industry standard, cutting edge equipment Watch the Video >