Adult Education programs prepare students for success

#1233 | October 31, 2011

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College celebrated the dedication of its Student Enrichment Center on Sunday, October 30, 2011. The new building is home to STC’s adult education programs that help students improve basic skills crucial for success in higher education and the workforce.

“More than any other building on campus, this one is designed to prepare our students for success,” said STC President Dr. Kathy Love. “Today’s employers need technically skilled and competent employees, who possess solid basic skills. Our Student Enrichment Center serves a critical need for learning support programs for students to improve basic skills crucial to their success in their program of study and in the workforce.”

The new 19,400-square-foot building is located on the north side of campus and houses 12 classrooms, four computer labs and the Learning Enrichment Center. The labs support classroom and individualized instruction for students. The Learning Enrichment Center has nine study rooms that are used for one-on-one and group tutoring. STC offers self-paced computer programs to assist visual learners or videos for auditory learners. The Learning Enrichment Center also provides free college prep study skills workshops. Last year more than 6,500 students visited the Center.

Savannah Tech’s Adult Education program is also housed in the new building. Serving four counties in southeast Georgia, the Adult Education program provides basic skills instruction, English as a Second Language instruction, as well as GED preparation and testing. Last fiscal year (July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011) more than 2,600 students enrolled in STC’s Adult Education program, a nearly 13 percent increase compared with the previous year.

The $3.5-million building’s funding included private gifts from a focused investment campaign by the STC Foundation. Campaign donors were honored at the dedication ceremony. The Learning Enrichment Center was named in honor of philanthropists Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson. A suite of classrooms was named in honor of noted author and speaker Dr. Bertice Berry for her support of STC’s Tribute to Community Stars event since its inception.

The Student Enrichment Center is part of a bigger project at Savannah Technical College to create opportunities for individuals to increase their potential and create a higher quality of life for themselves through the Savannah Technical College Foundation Focused Investment Campaign.

The Foundation raises money to support the College’s mission of workforce development. It supports scholarships, capital projects and program expansion on the College’s five campus locations. “As a state assisted institution, private dollars often provide for a margin of excellence not possible with state funding,” says Foundation Board Chair Jim LaHaise, executive vice president and chief banking officer, The Coastal Bank. Currently, state appropriations account for less than half of the college’s operating budget.

The Savannah Technical College Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization. For information about the Foundation, visit www.savannahtech.edu and click on the Foundation tab.

For more information contact:
Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

#1232 | October 28, 2011

 

Savannah Tech’s Adult Education Program was honored by the TCSG. Pictured left to right: TCSG Assistant Commissioner of Adult Education Beverly Smith, TCSG Director of Instructional Services Bobby Creech, STC Executive Director of Adult Education Jermaine Whirl, STC Assistant Director of Adult Education Vee Butler, TCSG Deputy Commissioner Dr. Josephine Reed-Taylor, TCSG Director of GED Services Latanya Overby.

 

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College was honored by the Technical College System of Georgia at its Fall Adult Education Conference. STC’s Adult Education Program was the FY2011 winner of the service delivery area (SDA) with the greatest percentage of growth in enrollment and growth in level completions.

“We take pride in creating opportunities for individuals to increase their potential and create a higher quality of life for themselves from completing their GED to continuing with studies at Savannah Technical College,” said STC Vice President of Economic Development Ken Boyd. “Congratulations to our Adult Education department and its accomplishments to increase GED enrollment and to empower students to move to the next level in their education.”

STC’s Adult Education program had a 12.9 percent increase in enrollment with a total of 2,610 students enrolled in FY2011 (July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011). Savannah Tech also posted an eight percent increase in level completions. The percentage of level completions includes the number of students that moved to a higher educational functioning level.

Also honored from STC was Cody Carrell, who received the FY2011 Youth Challenge GED Graduate of the Year Award. Savannah Technical College’s Adult Education Department provides GED Testing services for the academy located in Hinesville, Ga.

The Savannah Technical College’s Adult Education program provides free classes to citizens in Chatham, Liberty, Bryan, & Effingham Counties. Classes help students prepare for GED Testing, Compass Testing, ASVAB Preparation (Liberty Campus only) and ESL Classes.

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For more information contact:
Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

Savannah Tech is Georgia’s first technical college to receive approval

#1231

For Release: October 26, 2011

Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR

912.443.5512

ashaffer@savannahtech.edu
Alice Ogden works on Savannah Tech’s  Residential Energy Audit Training Facility at the Savannah Campus.

ATLANTA – The Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors has determined Savannah Technical College’s Associate Degree in Construction Management now qualifies students for licensure one year earlier. STC is the first technical college to receive defined approval for two years of education and one year of work experience for program graduates.

Until now, STC Construction Management Associate Degree students were required to complete two years of experience with a licensed contractor upon graduation to qualify for residential contracting licensure testing. The Board’s vote allows students to apply for a license after STC program completion and one year of supervised experience.

“As a female student, the ability to receive my licensure in one year post graduation speaks volumes about my work experience, work ethic and work quality,” said STC Construction Management student Alice Ogden. “I appreciate that Savannah Technical College pursued this agreement with the General Contracting Licensing Board.”

Job placement for Construction Technology has averaged more than 90 percent the past three years and all 33 department graduates in FY2011 (July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011) were placed into the workforce.

“Savannah Technical College has a proven track record of an excellent education program that has provided the greater Savannah area with a trained workforce for many years,” said Executive Officer for Home Builders Association of Greater Savannah Patty Rietkovich.

STC’s Construction Technology Department includes Technical Certificates of Credit in Certified Construction Worker, Concrete Forming, Construction Management Apprentice, Construction Manager and Masonry Apprentice as well as the Associate Degree and professional diplomas in Construction Management.

The certificate programs offer instruction in the fundamentals of construction and management of construction projects while the degree and diploma are designed to prepare students for a career in some construction supervision. Basic carpentry skills include laying footings and foundations, framing, roofing, and interior and exterior finishing. Management skills include principles of accounting, construction drafting, code review, scheduling, and contracting. Program graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Construction Management.

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High resolution images Savannah Technical College Construction Management Students are available upon request.

#1229

For Release: October 19, 2011

Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR

912.443.5512

ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Six students will graduate from the Savannah Technical College Peace Officer Academy at its graduation completion ceremony at 10:30 AM on Monday, October 31, 2011, in the Eckburg Auditorium on the Savannah Campus, 5717 White Bluff Road.

Two candidates are currently affiliated with the Chatham County Sheriff’s Department. Several others are in various stages of application at local area agencies.

Each cohort selects a fallen officer for whom the graduating class will be named. This cohort selected Savannah Police Department Officer Willie Samuel Smith whose tour of duty ended on March 11, 1994.

Tybee Island Police Department Chief Robert (Bob) Bryson will be the keynote speaker. The blessing will be given by Pastor Travis Cowart, whose daughter graduated in the second cohort of 2010. The Honorable Kevin Street, graduate of the first cohort of 2009 will deliver the Oath.

This is the ninth group of students to complete the program since its inception in 2009. To date, the program has graduated 115 P.O.S.T.-certified officers. The Academy has a 98-precent placement rate for graduates.

The Basic Law Enforcement Technical Certificate of Credit provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to become competent law enforcement officers. The 18-week cohort program utilizes classroom instruction pertaining to criminal justice theory and the prevailing principles of modern law enforcement, as well as practical application of pertinent enforcement skills.College coursework contains the entire Georgia Peace Officers Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Law Enforcement Training Course so that successful completion of the program will qualify the student to be a state-certified peace officer.

To attend, please contact Claire Pimentel at 912.443.5191 or cpimentel@savannahtech.edu by Tuesday, October 25, 2011.

 

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#1227

For Release: October 14, 2011

Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR

912.443.5512

ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

 

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College has hired Amy Shaffer, APR, as its director of communications. She will be responsible for media relations, public relations, marketing and special events for the college.

“I am pleased to welcome Amy to our team,” said STC’s Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and Communications Gail Eubanks. “Her range of experience will bring tremendous value to Savannah Tech.”

Shaffer steps into the role Eubanks held for nearly a decade. Eubanks’ responsibilities will focus on fund-raising and institutional advancement for the college.

As an award-winning, marketing communications and accredited public relations professional, Shaffer has nearly two decades of experience. She has a strong background in strategic communications and creative direction, as well as print and design for marketing materials. Prior to joining Savannah Technical College, she served as manager of communications for the Georgia Ports Authority where she was managing editor for the GPA’s corporate magazine, annual report and other publications.

Shaffer holds a Master of Science degree in communications from the University of Tennessee and bachelor’s degrees in journalism/business communications and English from the University of Kansas. She is accredited in public relations by the Public Relations Society of America.

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#1226

For Release: October 5, 2011

Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR

912.443.5512

ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

 

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College will offer a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) refresher course at its Effingham County Campus beginning Friday, October 28, 2011. The three-day, 24-hour course is available for current CDL-licensed drivers wishing to refresh their skills.

The class will cover pre-trip inspection, shifting techniques, left and right turns, backing in straight lines, backing in curved lines, parallel parking, alley docking, offset backing, coupling and uncoupling trailers, lane control, city driving, rural driving and interstate driving. The refresher course will last from 8 AM until 4:30 PM on Friday October 28 through Sunday, October 30. The Effingham Campus is located at 2890 Highway 21 South in Rincon, Ga.

Advance registration is required by noon on Friday, October 14, 2011. The cost is $700 (non-refundable). This course offering is dependent upon a minimum registration of four students. Proof of a negative drug screen conducted within the previous 90 days will be required upon registration.

To register, contact Reeshemah Johnson at 912.443.5808. Credit/debit payments will be accepted by phone. Money order, personal or cashier’s checks made payable to Savannah Technical College will only be accepted by Reeshemah at the Crossroads Campus of Savannah Technical College located at 190 Crossroads Pkwy, Ste 100, Savannah, GA 31407.

 

Future CDL Refresher Course Schedule

December 9-11, 2011 (Deadline to Register: 11/23/11)

February 24-26, 2012 (Deadline to Register: 2/10/12)

April 27-29, 2012 (Deadline to Register: 4/13/12)

June 22-24, 2012 (Deadline to Register: 6/8/12)

August 24-26, 2012 (Deadline to Register: 8/10/12)

 

Questions about registration:Reeshemah Johnson 912.443.3018 or rjohnson@savannahtech.edu

 

Questions about refresher course: Kimberly Anderson 912.443.5833 or kanderson@savannahtech.edu

Grant will support instruction and advisement for Industrial Technology

#1225

For Release: October 4, 2011

Contact: Gail Eubanks

912.443.3022

geubanks@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College has been awarded $250,000 for this year from the U.S. Department of Education Title III funds for Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI).This award is a part of a five-year formula funding cycle in which Savannah Tech is slated to receive a total of $1.25M.

“The goal is to help students succeed academically, enabling more of them graduate,” says College President Dr. Kathy Love. “This grant will allow us to develop a multi-disciplinary approach with students in Industrial Technology so that we can learn from our efforts and expand into other academic areas in the future.”

The grant will focus on establishing a learning community among students enrolled in Electrical Systems Technology, Historic Preservation and Restoration, Construction Technology, Drafting, Air Conditioning Technology and Electrical Utility Technology. Students and faculty in these areas share the same instructional space and frequently collaborate in shared learning experiences, according to Dean of Industrial Technology Tal Loos. For example, students are working together now to construct a residential energy audit training facility on campus. “Because faculty and students already collaborate on teaching and learning projects, moving toward a learning community was a natural next step,” says Loos.

Savannah Technical College is establishing itself as a leader in sustainability among Georgia’s Technical Colleges, offering the first solar energy installation and repair program as well as the only hands-on historic preservation program in the state. In this grant, the focus on sustainability provides a common mindset that helps shape instructional delivery, choice and use of tools and equipment, and can become the conceptual construct that informs all learning activities for students. Part of the instructional focus will include new 3-D training technology with customized applications.

Title III PBI formula funds are awarded to institutions that are at least 40% minority and at least 50% low-income or first-generation college students. This is the first time Savannah Technical College has received Title III formula funding.

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