SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah businessman Kevin “Catfish” Jackson will be honored at the 16^th annual Opportunity Award Gala, Friday, January 24, 2020. The event, hosted by the Savannah Technical College Foundation, honors deserving civic leaders for a lifetime of service creating and enhancing opportunities for others to succeed.

The STC Foundation will honor Jackson for his business acumen, vision, and commitment to developing the next generation of Georgia’s leaders. He is the founder, president and CEO of EnvironVac Holdings, LLC, a company he started and grew to more than 1,000 employees during two decades. He is the Chairman of the Savannah Economic Development Authority and sits on the Southeastern Board of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as well as the advisory board of directors for United Community Bank and previously served on the Bethesda Leadership Academy board. He was appointed by Governor Nathan Deal to the Board of the Georgia Ports Authority.  He previously served on the boards of the Georgia Department of Economic Development and Georgia Lottery Corp.

Jackson received the 2015 Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year award and the 2018 Savannah State University Entrepreneur Award. He volunteers with several philanthropic organizations including Kids and Pros Football Camp, the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society, Alzheimer’s Dancing with the Stars, and The First Tee. Kevin also was a community football coach for 17 years. He coached nine years at The Savannah Country Day Middle School and eight years at Savannah Christian Preparatory Upper School.

Jackson attended the University of Georgia, where he was a three-year letterman, a member of the 1980 National Championship football team, and two SEC Championships. He earned the prestigious Coach Wally Butts award for “the Player who pays the Price” which is voted on by the coaches. He and his wife, Libby, have three children and four grandsons. 

The event gathers 300 community and civic leaders for a celebratory evening honoring a special individual. The evening also showcases the talents of students enrolled in Savannah Technical College’s award-winning Culinary Arts programs. Past recipients include: Former Governor Zell Miller, Arnold Tenenbaum, Judge Griffin Bell, Tom Coleman, Dick Eckburg, Arthur M. Gignilliat, Jr., Bob and Alice Jepson, Howard Morrison, Stratton Leopold, Chef Jean Vendeville and Ted Kleisner.

The Opportunity Award Gala is a fundraiser for the Savannah Technical College Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization that raises funds to support Savannah Technical College. STC Foundation Board members and event co-chairs, Loretta Cockrum and Mary Morrison, are leading the fundraising efforts. For sponsorship information, contact Gail Eubanks at geubanks@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.3022.

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#2010 | September 26, 2019
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College’s Medical Assisting program has been awarded continuing accreditation for ten years by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

The recent peer review conducted by the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) in April 2019, and CAAHEP’s Board of Directors recognized the program’s 100% compliance with the nationally established accreditation MAERB Standards with no citations or recommendations. The accreditation standards are established by CAAHEP, MAERB, American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), American Medical Technologists (AMT) and National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

“The commission commends you (Dr. Love) and your colleagues for your commitment to continuous quality improvement in education, as demonstrated by your participation in program accreditation,” wrote CAAHEP President Glen Mayhew, DHSc, NRP, in the College’s award letter dated September 20, 2019.

STC’s Medical Assisting Diploma program provides prepares students for employment in a variety of positions in today’s medical offices. The Medical Assisting program provides learning opportunities which introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and occupational knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. Additionally, the program provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills or to retrain in the area of medical assisting.

Medical Assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks, which keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. In small practices, medical assistants usually do many tasks, handling both administrative and clinical duties and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators.

The Medical Assisting diploma program utilizes a competitive entry process and requires the completion of the Heath Care Assistant Certificate with any approved specialization or the Emergency Medical Technician – Basic certificate plus the required core classes as part of the its admission process.

Applications are accepted from April 1 – May 1 for a Fall (August) start. The Medical Assisting diploma program starts one (1) cohort each academic year. Meeting the minimal program requirements does not guarantee acceptance in the program. Students may be required to successfully pass criminal background check and drug screen analysis before placement in clinical settings.

Satisfactory completion of all program courses entitles students to participate in the Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA) examination and certification process. Many employers require candidates to hold a CMA for entry level employment. Application assistance and fee for the exam is included in the Medical Assisting Externship course (MAST 1170).

For information about Medical Assisting visit: www.savannahtech.edu/MedicalAssisting or contact Jackie Muller jmuller@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.5810.

About CAAHEP

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs is the largest programmatic accreditor of the health sciences professions. In collaboration with its Committees on Accreditation, CAAHEP reviews and accredits more 2,100 individual education programs in 30 health science occupations. CAAHEP accredited programs are assessed on an ongoing basis to assure that they meet the Standards and Guidelines of each profession. CAAHEP is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CAAHEP is also member of the Association of Specialized & Professional Accreditors (ASPA). Visit: www.caahep.org

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#2009 | September 24, 2019

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

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College has selected Dr. Brent A. Stubbs as its Vice President of Economic Development. Stubbs was most recently the vice president of adult education at the College. He will plan, administer and evaluate economic development services to include supervision and leadership in the activities of personnel as related to economic development.

Other responsibilities include:

• assisting community leaders in the recruitment of new and expansion of existing business and industry within the College’s service area;
• developing partnerships with businesses, industries, agencies, schools and other community stakeholder organizations to make community and economic development programs accessible;
• promoting, developing, providing instruction and/or administering professional development and pre-employment training programs at the College and industry settings; and
• conducting industry job and training analysis, developing training plans and designing performance-based training.

“I am humbled by this opportunity to serve the college and our community in this new capacity,” said Stubbs. “Meeting business and industry needs is what Savannah Technical College does, and I look forward to the enviable challenge of helping to continue the growth of our beautiful coastal community. Any new business thinking about Savannah or this immediate area, should move here now. We have beauty, history, industry, great people, and a world-class workforce education system that is second to none.”

Stubbs has helped to shape the Adult Education career pathways systems in Florida and Georgia – connecting people, employers and training through innovative approaches to education. At Savannah Technical College, he has served as Dean for Adult Education, Dean for General Studies, Vice President for Adult Education and now Vice President for Economic Development. In addition to teaching and administration, his work experience includes professional sales and consulting with small to large employers. Dr. Stubbs has earned a bachelor of arts from Oral Roberts University, master’s in business administration from Brenau University, and Ed.D. from Georgia Southern University.

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#2008 | September 16, 2019

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

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College will host its annual Interactif event in partnership with the Savannah Food and Wine Festival at 5:45 p.m., on Thursday, October 17 in the Eckburg Auditorium (5717 White Bluff Road, Savannah, 31405).

“This is absolutely one of my favorite events of the year,” said Michael Owens, co-founder of Savannah Food & Wine Festival and President/CEO of Tourism Leadership Council. “There’s just something special about an evening dedicated to the appreciation of great food, wine, education all in the name of supporting the Patrick Williams Scholarship fund. This event is so important to the mission of the Savannah Food & Wine Festival to fundraise and increase awareness of local non-profits organizations and funds.”

Interactif 2019 will feature four destinations stations along with appetizers and desserts. Guests will travel around the world with elegant tasting opportunities paired with wine selections at the destination stations with take-home recipes. Three stations will feature chef demonstrations where guests work alongside chefs to learn techniques of making chermoula sauce, kimchi and red bean cakes. Guests will learn about U.S. wines paired with artisan Georgia cheeses. International cuisine will include South Korea, Morocco and Spain.

Cost is $100 per person with proceeds supporting the Patrick Ansley Williams Scholarship at Savannah Technical College. Seating is limited to 120. Advance tickets may be purchased online: www.savannahtech.edu/BistroSavoirInteractif.

Guests will enjoy shrimp kebabs with chermoula sauce, barbequed short ribs with kimchi, and red bean cakes with romseco sauce and mango chutney, along with artisan breads, cheeses, charcuterie, and artisan chocolates.

This year Jason Restivo, owner of Atlantic in Savannah, will lead a tour of USA wines paired with artisan Georgia cheeses. Restivo is a certified sommelier with 20+ years of experience in food, beverage and hospitality industries and was named Best Sommelier by Connect Savannah in 2016 – 2019.

Attendees will have the chance for $5 fish bowl raffles at each station and the opportunity to bid on a private Chef’s Table Dinner for 10 with the Savannah Culinary Institute’s team of chef instructors.

In the past five years, Bistro Savoir Interactif raised more than $55,000 to benefit the Patrick Ansley Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund. This scholarship was started in 2012 by Bill Dickinson to honor the late Patrick Williams. Five $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually to STC culinary and hospitality students with a minimum 3.0 grade point average, who are selected by the College’s scholarship committee. Funds are applied toward tuition, fees, books and required supplies.

STC scholarship funds are managed by the Savannah Technical College Foundation, a 501 (c)3 organization whose sole purpose is to raise private funds to support the mission of Savannah Technical College. Gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Last year, the College purchased 7 West Bay Street as the new location for an expansion of its Culinary Arts program. The expansion will more than double the available instructional space for Culinary Arts and Baking& Pastry Arts. Senior level (second year) students will take classes and work in the bakery and restaurant. The hands-on, real-world experience in the restaurant will allow students the opportunity to apply techniques learned in the classroom to practical use, complete a required field placement, and gain first-hand experience in running a restaurant and serving the general public.

Savannah Food & Wine Festival
The Savannah Food & Wine Festival takes place throughout Savannah, November 4-10, 2019, with celebrity chefs and winemakers, connoisseur dinners, one-of-a-kind culinary, spirits, wine and beverage experiences. The most up-to-date festival information is available on the website: www.savannahfoodandwinefestival.com on Twitter @SAVFoodWineFest #savfw and Facebook at Savannah Food & Wine Festival.

About the Savannah Technical College’s Savannah Culinary Institute
The Savannah Culinary Institute, an American Culinary Federation-accredited culinary arts program, has been described as the “best in the U.S.A” by its ACF accreditation review board. According to his committee chair, the Culinary Institute of Savannah, offering ACF-accredited diploma and degree programs in culinary arts, has gone “well over and above the standards and expectations for a technical college teaching facility.” The committee recommended that the program receive the maximum accreditation time of seven years, when the average is three years. Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts associate degree graduates have a 100% placement rate in their field since 2015. The program has earned regional and national recognition with ACF-sponsored competitions. For more information visit: www.savannahtech.edu/SavannahCulinaryInstitute.

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#2007 | September 10, 2019
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

Savannah Technical College Foundation announced leadership changes and welcomed new members to its board of trustees at its annual meeting recently. Gary Sanchez will serve as chaiman, and Brynn Grant will serve as vice-chair. After serving as board chairman for three years, Sam McCachern will remain a member of the executive committee as past-chair. The Foundation welcomed three new board members: Loretta Cockrum, Patrick Connell, and Mary Morrison.

• Gary Sanchez, regional director external affairs for AT&T, works closely with community leaders and policy makers to help meet the company’s objective of bringing the best new technology to consumers. He is responsible for managing AT&T’s extensive philanthropic and community engagement efforts in Southeast Georgia. He has an MBA from the Stetson School of Business and Economics at Mercer University (2000) and a bachelor of science in business from the University of Idaho (1989). He is also a board member for the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and Junior Achievement of Georgia’s Savannah District.
• Brynn Grant is chief operating officer at the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) and vice president of World Trade Center Savannah. Brynn is a graduate of Leadership Savannah, Leadership Southeast Georgia and Leadership Georgia. She is vice chair of the Leadership Southeast Georgia board. She has been named one of the Top Ten Working Women by AWWIN, the Community Advocate of the Year by the Small Business Chamber of Savannah and a Woman of Distinction by the Girls Scouts of Historic Georgia. With a commitment to education, she currently serves on the Georgia Southern University College of Business Advisory Board, GSU College of Science and Mathematics Advisory Board, and the Georgia Tech Professional Education Advisory Board in Savannah. She also serves on the Georgia advisory board of the U.S. Global Leadership Council. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism.
• Sam McCachern is registered as a Professional Engineer in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.  His 30+ years of experience includes site assessment, rezoning, preliminary engineering, permit applications, engineering design, contract documents and specifications, construction administration for a wide variety of projects.  He earned a BS in civil engineering from North Carolina State University and is Level II – Erosion and Sedimentation Control Program Certified.
• Loretta Cockrum, chief executive officer/founder of Foram, founded the real estate management company in Atlanta in 1978 with the mission to manage and develop real estate investment portfolios for families who have a multi-generational wealth preservation strategy. Foram moved its headquarters to Miami in 1986 and has just relocated its base of operations to Savannah, Georgia. In 2013, Cockrum was named by Real Estate Forum magazine as one of the 25 most influential female real estate executives in the United States. She currently serves on the Board of the Savannah Economic Development Authority, Board of the World Trade Center Savannah, Advisory Board of Sea Island Bank (a division of Synovus Bank) and Advisory Board of Miami Finance Forum as well as Advisory Board of The Graduate School of Real Estate Development at University of Miami.
• Partick Connell, a partner with Boyd & Jenerette, P.A., has successfully litigated a wide range of cases and has significant experience representing clients in the tourism and hospitality industry. He was recently named General Counsel for the Tourism Leadership Council. He is an active supporter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, having served as Co-chair of the Leadership Committee for Savannah LLS’s Man and Woman of the Year campaigns for 2015 and 2016. He has a bachelor of landscape architecture from the University of Georgia (2001), and J.D., cum laude, from the College of Law at Georgia State University (2006).
• Mary Morrison is a long-time friend of Savannah Technical College, who, along with her late husband Howard, was an early supporter of the Historic Preservation Program, including hosting a kiln-firing for Savannah Grey Brick at Lebanon Plantation and establishing the series of weekend workshops that teach traditional craft skills to the public. She is an officer of the Mary Lane Morrison Foundation, a grant-making foundation based in Savannah, and she is actively involved with numerous community groups and organizations.  

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 SCT Foundation earned the designation of Technical College Foundation Association (TCFA) 2018 Role Model Foundation Board Certification for the third consecutive year in 2018.

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#2006 | August 27, 2019
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Savannah Technical College students won four national medals with SkillsUSA in 2019. Students won gold medals in two competitions: mobile electronics installation and mechatronics. Jonathan Nary, an Automotive Technology student, won gold for mobile electronics installation. STC’s mechatronics team with Industrial Maintenance Systems students Victor De La Cruz and Anthony Smith won gold, as well. Mechanical Drafting graduate Xuan Huynh won silver in the technical drafting competition. The national competition was held during the 55^th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Ky.

Mobile Electronics Installation – Jonathan Nary (Gold)

The SkillsUSA mobile electronics installation competition evaluates each contestant’s preparation for employment and recognizes outstanding students for excellence and professionalism in the field of mobile electronics installation. It includes a written test based on the Mobile Electronics Certified Professional Basic Installation Technician exam produced by the Consumer Electronics Association. There is also a professional interview and five hands-on applications that include taking electrical measurements, installing consumer electronic equipment in a mobile environment, soldering, working with relay circuits and troubleshooting electronic circuitry.

Nary also won silver in the national mobile electronics competition last year and completed an associate degree in Automotive Technology at Savannah Tech this summer. He is a member of South Effingham High School’s first graduating class in 1997, where he took automotive classes and earned a technical seal on his high school diploma. He has worked at Extreme Audio as a mobile installer since 2000. He is known as the “alarm guy,” who also installs radios, subs, speakers, heated seats, cruise controls, wheels and tires.

Mechatronics Team (Victor De La Cruz and Anthony Smith – Gold)

The SkillsUSA mechatronics contest requires contestants to understand complex systems that integrate various elements in the mechanical, fluid power, and controls domain, combined with the ability to work in a team environment with people of different areas of expertise. Mechatronic specialists must have well-developed skills in pneumatic technology, electrical and electronics systems, mechanical systems and general automation techniques and practices, including systematic troubleshooting methods. The national competition consists of three events designed to measure the skills required in the modern automated manufacturing environment. Contestants assemble, adjust and test an automated machine system, troubleshoot and repair a faulty machine system and take a comprehensive written test.

Both mechatronics team members, De La Cruz and Anthony Smith, are working as apprentices at JCB. De La Cruz works in design and engineering and is a Woodville Tompkins Technical and Career High School graduate. Smith works in the planning department and is a New Hampstead High School graduate.

By winning gold in the national competition, the STC Mechatronics team has been invited to compete in the World competition in Shanghai 2021. Students are already making plans to prepare for the world competition, which will include 30 tasks on eight to ten trainers during several days.

Technical Drafting (Xuan Huynh – Silver)

The SkillsUSA technical drafting contest evaluates contestant’s preparation for employment and recognizes outstanding students for excellence and professionalism in the field of technical drafting. The contest focuses on the solution of industry-developed problems by applying appropriate technical drafting skills and tools including computer-aided drafting (CAD). The contestants are required to create part and assembly drawings of a mechanical product. The number of drawings (5-10) varies depending on the product. Contestants’ drawings are judged relative to pre-established criteria for each drawing in the drawing portfolio. The total contest points include points from the written exam and drawings.

For the national technical drafting competition, Huynh created an assembly and detail drawings that included interior and exterior views of a hot glue gun. Students were given eight hours to complete the tasks, which he completed in seven.

Huynh earned an associate degree in Mechanical Drafting in Spring 2019. He moved from Vietnam to the U.S. in 2016, and took ESL and GED classes at Savannah Tech. After earning his GED, he began the Mechanical Drafting program. He enjoys drawing on a computer and excels in mechanical drafting software including, AutoCAD, Inventor, Solidworks, and CATIA.

To qualify for the national team, STC competitors won gold in six categories on the state level earlier this year:

• Mechatronics: Victor De La Cruz and Anthony Smith (Industrial Maintenance Systems);
• Carpentry: Taylor McMasters (Construction Management);
• Cosmetology: Dalel Gonzalez (Cosmetology);
• Nail Care: Whitney Turnquest (Cosmetology);
• Mobile Electronics Installation: Jonathan Nary (Automotive Technology);
• Technical Drafting: Xuan Huynh (Mechanical Drafting)

About SkillsUSA SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization that annually serves more than 320,000 high school, college and postsecondary students–and their instructors–in technical, skilled and service-occupation instructional programs. SkillsUSA is a national, nonprofit student organization that has developed more than 10 million workers through active partnerships between employers and educators. Hundreds of American industries have turned to SkillsUSA as the source for employees who exemplify “Champions at Work” in both skills and attitudes. SkillsUSA’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. At the heart of this mission are SkillsUSA’s core values: integrity, responsibility, citizenship, service and respect.

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#2005 | August 15, 2019
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College Foundation has received a gift of $300,000 from Maura Sovchen and her sons Christopher and Alexander to name the Maura and David Sovchen Demonstration Kitchen at the Savannah Culinary Institute, 7 West Bay Street.

“We are deeply appreciative of this support,” said College President Dr. Kathy Love. “David was a long-time advocate for our culinary arts expansion and it was his intention to play a lead volunteer role in our fundraising efforts. I am so grateful that Maura and their sons have chosen to create this kind of enduring legacy for their family.”

The Maura and David Sovchen Demonstration Kitchen, located on the second floor, will provide space for master classes, continuing education and community-based instruction for the general public. It will feature commercial kitchen equipment and individual work stations for class participation. The 1500-sq ft space will accommodate up to 25 participants. Area hotels will be able to offer packages to their guests and local organizations will be able to arrange specialized group culinary experiences, in keeping with the hottest national trends in the hospitality industry.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be part of the new Savannah Culinary Institute at 7 West Bay Street,” said Maura Sovchen.  “David was a committed board member for Savannah Technical College. He loved to cook and was an avid supporter of the culinary program. He felt that it was very beneficial for Savannah’s thriving vibrant culinary scene and tourism and hospitality industries. David always advocated the importance of giving back and we cannot think of a better way to honor him while making a lasting impact on the community for years to come. We hope that the new demonstration kitchen will inspire others in the way David inspired us.”

David Sovchen passed away in January of this year at the age of 72. He built a very successful career in the hospitality industry. In 1985, he joined Wendy’s International as a respected member of the senior management team, where he met Maura. Together, they ultimately acquired the local franchise and turned the Savannah Wendy’s International market into one of the most reputable and successful franchises in the Wendy’s family. The Sovchens made Savannah their home.  In addition to serving as a member of the Local Board of Directors for Savannah Technical College, David was active with the Savannah Chamber of Commerce, the Savannah Book Festival, Salvation Army and the Boy Scouts of America. Maura is active in a number of community organizations including Hospice Savannah and the Savannah Book Festival. 

In addition to the Sovchen Demonstration Kitchen, the Savannah Culinary Institute downtown location (four floors; 14,456 sq ft) will include a student-run restaurant and bakery, full teaching and restaurant kitchens and three classroom/lab spaces, more than doubling the available instructional space for Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts. Senior, second-year students will take classes and work in the bakery and restaurant. Entry-level, first-year students will continue to take courses in the teaching kitchen and classrooms at the College’s campus on White Bluff Road.

For more information visit: www.savannahtech.edu/SavannahCulinaryInstitute .

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.        

#2004 | August 9, 2019

Savannah Technical College has added a free GED®-prep session on Tuesdays – Thursdays from 9 a.m. until noon beginning August 20 at the Empowerment Center (4704 Augusta Road, Garden City, GA 31408). There is a mandatory orientation from 9 a.m. until noon on August 7-8.

Students are asked to bring a government-issued ID to register. Those under age 18 are required to bring withdrawal paperwork and have a parent/guardian present. For more information about these GED®-Prep classes visit http://bit.ly/2JMUSMy.

Savannah Tech’s Adult Education Program serves those who need to improve their basic literacy and math skills, improve their oral and written English, practice for the GED® test to attain a high school equivalency degree and prepare for college. Instructors also, help students with science and social studies test preparation for GED® testing.

The College teaches adult education classes in the morning, afternoon, evening and online. They are offered in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties with multiple locations in each community. Adult education classes for GED®-prep are currently free for all U.S. citizens.

To register for free GED® classes, call 912.443.5446 or visit www.savannahtech.edu/FreeGEDClasses. For GED® testing information, go to www.ged.com to sign up to take the test or go to www.savannahtech.edu/testingcenter to learn more about our testing locations.

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

The nine men and nine women 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 28th group of students to complete the program since its inception in 2009. To date, the program has graduated 364 P.O.S.T.-certified officers. Many candidates are in various stages of the application process with statewide agencies. Sixteen of the eighteen 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 Sgt. Kevin Barry of the Chatham County Police Department. who passed away on July 7, 2018 after a long illness. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings & several nieces and nephews.

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 the office at 912.443.5191 or njones@savannahtech.edu.

The next class begins in October 2019.

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2002 | July 19, 2019

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

www.savannahtech.edu/PeaceOfficerAcademy

Nancy Jones, POA Administration
912.443.5191 or njones@savannahtech.edu