SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College honors veterans throughout the year with services, scholarships, workshops and grants. One in four STC students is a veteran, active duty service member or a military dependent/spouse.

Two U.S. Army veterans are currently enrolled in the first semester for the on-set film production assistant program with the Georgia Film Academy at the College. Both look forward to working on-set in the spring for the internship half of the program.

Veronique Dupree, a 68M, is a nutrition care specialist, who had an interest in film making before going into the military. She hopes to improve her camera handling skills, so she might open a photography/videography business on the side. In April, she will have served two years and is an active-duty veteran.

“My experience in the military has been great,” said Dupree. “The Army stresses working as a team and having a good sense of leadership.” She says her military service has prepared her well for work in the film industry. “Film making is all a team. You have your different departments. Everyone is assigned a job; just as we do in the military. Everyone is assigned a job to meet a bigger goal.”

Kevin Manning, a former 98G, was stationed as a linguist in 1987-88 at the U.S. Army Defense Language Institute in Monterrey, Calif., learning Farsi. He has worked in the film industry before as an actor, stuntman, wrangler, driver and extra.

Manning enrolled in the program with the intent of helping himself, but found an opportunity for his daughter, Shalah, to enroll with him as well. He would like to ultimately work his way up to the role of assistant director. “I have so many skills, and I’ve done so much in this business. I don’t care what I’m doing – it’s all good for me.”

The most difficult part of the program for Manning is deciding what he wants to do. He says he’s in the right industry to do it all.

Manning likes that both he and his daughter will be able to get an education and then a job upon completion. He advises others who may be slightly order than traditional college-age students to apply.

“Don’t be scared to do it,” Manning. “It is a great place to start up again if someone wants to change occupations. It is an opportunity to learn something and be of value.”

The projected film industry growth in Georgia during the next three to five years will generate 3,000 to 5,000 new jobs, and the average earnings for jobs on set are $84,000 a year.  That’s why Georgia has launched the Georgia Film Academy, a unique-in-the-nation, statewide initiative to prepare Georgia citizens for these high demand careers. Georgia Film Academy students, who are eligible for or receive HOPE Grant funding, may also be eligible for funding from the HOPE Career Grant. For more information visit: www.savannahtech.edu/GA-Film.

The Georgia Film Academy will hold information sessions for spring semester at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15 and at 10 a.m., on Saturday, Nov. 17 in room 7126 at the Savannah Campus.

The College is a regionally accredited Institution of Higher Learning and approved to participate and administer Veteran’s Education Assistance programs. It has multiple scholarships for military-affiliated students. This includes scholarships that provide gap funding for military members, a Freedom Fund to provide needs-based scholarship assistance for soldiers, veteran and spouses, and a scholarship that supports Savannah Tech’s military spouses is funded by The Landings Military Family Relief Fund. The College also provides opportunities for veterans and their dependents through the VA work study program.

Ranked #2 in the U.S. as “Best for Vets” in 2019 by Military Times for Career & Technical Colleges, the College was also ranked gold-level status as a Top 10 School for Military Friendly in 2018-19. The College waives all general mandatory fees for active duty service members using military tuition assistance. There is a Veteran’s Service Center at the Savannah campus. For more information about military services or enrollment, visit www.savannahtech.edu/military or contact Krupp (912.443.4155 or mailto:jkrupp@savannahtech.edu).

About the Georgia Film Academy
The Georgia Film Academy is a collaborative effort of the University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia supporting workforce needs of the film and digital entertainment industries. The academy certifies workforce ready employees in needed areas, connect students and prospective employees with employers, and offer a unique capstone experience for top students that will provide them a path to employment in Georgia. Special partnerships include Pinewood Studios located in Fayetteville, Georgia.

###

#1921 | November 12, 2018

Military Outreach Coordinator: Jim Krupp
www.savannahtech.edu/military
912.443.4155 or jkrupp@savannahtech.edu

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Fourteen students from the Savannah Technical College Peace Officer Academy celebrated graduating from the program with a completion ceremony today.

The six women and eight men have completed coursework containing the entire Georgia Peace Officer Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Law Enforcement Training Course. Their successful completion of the program qualifies them to be state-certified peace officers.

This is the 26th group of students to complete the program since its inception in 2009. To date, the program has graduated 335 P.O.S.T.-certified officers. Many candidates are in various stages of the application process with statewide agencies. Several candidates have been hired by area police departments. Savannah Tech’s Peace Officer Academy has a 97% placement rate.

Each cohort selects a fallen officer for whom the graduating class will be named. The cohorts have a tradition of giving the family of the fallen officer a challenge coin dedicated to the officer. A challenge coin is a symbol of an unbreakable bond of dedication and allegiance among military personnel and law enforcement officers. The challenge coin tradition started as a military tradition in World War I and was later adopted by law enforcement.

This cohort honors Lieutenant John Cain of the Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department, who passed away on December 4, 2016 after a courageous battle against cancer. He is survived by his wife and children.

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.

For more information about the Peace Officer Academy visit www.savannahtech.edu/PeaceOfficerAcademy or contact Nancy Jones at 912.443.5191 or njones@savannahtech.edu. The next class begins in January 2019.

###

Peace Officer Academy: Nancy Jones
912.443.5191 or njones@savannahtech.edu

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

NEWPORT, RI– Savannah Technical College Paralegal Studies Department Head Debra R. Geiger, Esq., was elected President-Elect for the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE). The election was held at the 37^th annual AAfPE Conference. Her term as president begins in 2019 at the conclusion of the annual conference in Detroit, Mich. She just completed a three-year term on the AAfPE Board of Directors as Director of Associate Programs.

“As an attorney, I am committed to serving my community,” said Geiger.  “As a paralegal educator, I have the opportunity to encourage student civic engagement through academic service learning and community-based learning experiences. I am honored to serve as a member of AAfPE’s Board of Directors, and I look forward to supporting its continued pursuit of that mission.”

With over 400 members, AAfPE is the nation’s largest and continuously operating organization whose mission is to provide greater access to legal services by promoting quality paralegal and legal studies education.

Geiger is admitted to practice law in the State of Georgia and has general practice experience.  Geiger earned her law degree from the Levin College of Law at the University of Florida and her MBA from Mercer University.  She is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, Savannah Bar Association and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

STC’s Paralegal Studies program prepares students for a career in the paralegal profession. The knowledge and skills emphasized in the Paralegal Studies program include ethical obligations; research in state and federal law; legal correspondence preparation; family law matters; basic concepts of real property law; criminal law and procedure; civil litigation; substantive contract law; and wills, trusts and probate. Paralegals, also called legal assistants, work closely with attorneys, judges, prosecutors or public defenders. Graduates receive a Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Technology degree. Contact Geiger at 912.443.5715 or dgeiger@savannahtech.edu for more information or visit: www.savannahtech.edu/ParalegalStudies.

About American Association for Paralegal Education
Founded in 1981, AAfPE promotes quality paralegal education, develops educational standards and encourages professional growth, in order to prepare graduates to perform a significant role in the delivery of legal services. With more than 400 active members, AAfPE aims to provide a forum for professional improvement for paralegal educators, as well as assistance and consultation to institutions, educators and employers. It promotes research and the dissemination of information on the paralegal profession and cooperates with the American Bar Association (ABA) and other institutions to develop goals and processes for programs. Please visit AAfPE online at www.AAfPE.org  for more information.

###

 

#1920 | November 8, 2018

Paralegal Studies: Debra R. Geiger
912.443.5715 or dgeiger@savannahtech.edu

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – The Savannah Technical College Foundation Board of Trustees earned the designation of Technical College Foundation Association (TCFA) 2018 Role Model Foundation Board Certification for the third consecutive year at TCSG’s Fall Leadership Conference earlier this month.

“Congratulations to Savannah Technical College Foundation’s Board of Trustees for earning Role Model Board status again this year,” said STC President Dr. Kathy S. Love. “I am proud that our Trustees strive to be exemplary in all that they do to support the work of Savannah Technical College and the communities we serve.”

The TCFA Role Model Foundation Board Certification is an annual certification process sponsored by the TCFA of Georgia, a membership organization that represents the 22 Technical College System of Georgia foundations and more than 600 trustees statewide.

The TCFA Delegate Council says it presents this award to encourage and recognize foundation boards that engage in outstanding business practices and demonstrate the highest level of commitment.

In order to obtain the certification, not only does the board as a whole have to meet certain requirements, but each individual board member must meet specific requirements.

To be eligible to receive the certification a foundation must engage in best practices in nonprofit governance, board management, and operations; have policies in place to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, especially in financial matters; be led by a Board of Trustees whose members are actively engaged in the foundation’s development activities; and support the professional development and state-level participation of their Trustees, Executive Director and college advancement personnel.

All trustees must demonstrate active engagement in the work of the board through regular attendance at board and committee meetings and college and foundation events, participation in leadership activities and personal professional development, and fundraising on behalf of the board.

The STC Foundation Board of Trustees 2018-19 membership includes: Sam McCachern, Chair; Gary Sanchez, Vice Chair; Stewart Bromley, Treasurer; Bertice Berry; Tom Bullock; David Burkoff; Scott Center; John Coleman; Bill Dickinson; Helen Downing; Franklin Goldwire; Brynn Grant; Robyn Iannone; Joe Marchese; Lynne Marini; Tom Ratcliffe; Alfonso Ribot; Stan Sparks; Michael Traynor; Cecilia Russo Turner; Ansley Williams; Linda Zoller.

Founded in 1984, the Savannah Technical College Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization that exists to raise and disburse funds to support the College’s efforts to enhance learning, workforce training and economic development in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties. The STC Foundation recently helped the College purchase 7 West Bay Street as the new location for an expansion of STC’s Culinary Arts program.

###

#1919 | November 7, 2018

STC Foundation: Gail Eubanks
912.443.3022 or geubanks@savannahtech.edu

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu