Two STC students receive Tools of the Trade scholarships

Zebulon Floyd using nail gun in construction lab Juan Rivas in HVAC lab holding measurement tool

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Two Savannah Technical College students were awarded the Tools of the Trade Scholarship to purchase tools for their program of study from the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) South Atlantic Chapter.

Construction Management student Zebulon Floyd and Air Conditioning Technology student Juan Rivas were selected to each receive $1,000 for this the statewide scholarship. The students were recognized at the 2019 Annual Gala & Project Achievement Awards on June 11, 2019 in Atlanta, Ga.

With eight years of military service, Floyd started the Construction Management program in January 2019 soon after he separated with an honorable discharge. He has a bachelor’s of science in health and physical education from Alabama State University and worked as an occupational therapy assistant in the U.S. Army.

“I’ve always wanted to have my own business,” said Floyd, who has already set up an LLC. “I wanted to put my dream into action and took the leap to train for a new career.” He looks forward to renovating and remodeling houses and starting his own business once he completes the program next summer.

Rivas currently works as a machinist at Mitsubishi Power Systems and has previous experience working as a mechanic technician and a manufacturing technician in Puerto Rico. He enjoys working with electricity and HVAC.

“This scholarship is very helpful for students to give them better chances to work.” Rivas said many companies ask if you have your own tools when you are interviewing for a job in HVAC.

Both students had their wish list of tools ready. Floyd planned to use his military discount when purchasing construction equipment to make the scholarship go a little further.

The Tools of the Trade Scholarship is awarded for the purchase of program required tools, uniforms, equipment, and or/supplies to a currently enrolled part‐time or full‐time student in good academic standing. Applicant must be enrolled in a TCSG certificate, diploma, or degree program that publishes a required list of tools, uniforms, equipment and/or supplies necessary for completion of the program. This scholarship does not cover textbooks, office supplies, etc.)

The scholarship funds will be paid through reimbursement (with proof of purchase) or directly to an approved equipment vendor on behalf of the student.

About CMAA South Atlantic Chapter (SAC) Scholarships 

The Construction Management Association of America South Atlantic Chapter is an organization dedicated to leading the growth and acceptance of professions in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Industry that can add significant value to the entire design and construction process, from conception to ongoing operation. To promote CMAA’s objectives, the South Atlantic Chapter is offering academic scholarships to full‐time students pursuing a related degree to architecture, engineering, or construction management. The Construction Management Association of America South Atlantic Chapter, awards these scholarships to qualified students to help them defray the costs of pursuing a degree in one of these disciplines.

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1948 | June 20, 2019

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

Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Cisneros selected as Military Outreach Coordinator

Steve Cisneros HeadshotSAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College has selected Steven Cisneros as its Military Outreach Coordinator. He will coordinate a variety of initiatives enabling current and former military personnel, as well as their family members, to enroll in the college, graduate, and engage in careers with our local industries and businesses.

Cisneros has experience as an operations manager and military veteran with more than two decades of experience collaborating with multiple levels of management and diverse cultural audiences. He recently worked as an operations specialist for Fort Stewart with Lakota Solutions, LLC. He has also worked as an Operations Manager II for Gulfstream Aerospace, Operations Support Specialist at Fort Stewart, and was the 3rd Infantry Division G3 Operations Sergeant Major at Fort Stewart, GA prior to retiring from the military.

He is a graduate of multiple military schools including U.S. Army Ranger School. He has an Associate of Science in business administration and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice/Homeland Security from Troy University.

The College has the highest military-affiliated enrollment in the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). One in four STC students is a veteran, active duty service member or a military dependent/spouse. For the past three years, the College has been ranked the top Best for Vets public technical and career college in the U.S. by Military Times.

For more information about military services or enrollment, visit www.savannahtech.edu/military or contact Cisneros at (912.443.4155 or scisneros@savannahtech.edu).

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1947 | June 18, 2019

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

 

Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Military Spouse Graduation Surprise 2019

One lucky graduate has two big dates on the calendar for this month: her graduation and her due date. Her husband made a surprise visit home for both.

Savannah Technical College Cosmetology graduate Yadimar Otero thought the walk across the stage would be the just the beginning of her new career, but her husband’s surprise celebrates another beginning.

Otero was one of 265 graduates celebrated at the College’s 2019 Commencement ceremony. Savannah Tech has awarded more than 400 degrees and diplomas for students that completed coursework from fall 2018 through spring 2019. Also, more than 460 GED diplomas have been earned during that time. 

Savannah Tech has been named the #1 Best for Vets in the U.S. for public technical and career colleges for the past three years. One in four STC students is a veteran, active duty service member or a military dependent/spouse.

Here is the link for the WTOC-TV video.

Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Major General Carden to deliver 2019 Commencement Address

Major Gen Carden headshot in uniform in front of flagsSAVANNAH, Ga. – Major General Thomas M. Carden, Jr. will deliver the commencement address at Savannah Technical College’s 2019 graduation at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, in the Johnny Mercer Theatre at the Savannah Civic Center.

Savannah Tech has awarded more than 400 degrees and diplomas for students that completed coursework from fall 2018 through spring 2019. Also, more than 460 GED diplomas have been earned during that time. Savannah Tech expects 265 degree, diploma and GED recipients to participate in graduation.

Major General Carden, Jr. was appointed by Governor Kemp in January of 2019 as the 43rd Adjutant General, Georgia. He is responsible for directing, coordinating, organizing and stationing the Army and Air National Guards of the State of Georgia, the Georgia State Defense Force and federal and state civilians, ensuring their readiness to perform state and national missions.

During his career, he has held a number of key positions in the Army and Georgia Army National Guard. Most recently, he served as Deputy Commanding General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Multi-National Division Southeast (Romania). He previously served as the Georgia Army National Guard Commanding General, chief of staff, deputy chief of staff for operations, and deputy chief for personnel.

In 2005, he deployed to Iraq with the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Major General Carden’s military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.

Major General Garden graduated from Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Ga., with a Bachelor of Science in history.  He later earned a Masters of Arts in human resource management from Webster University in St. Louis, Mo., and a Master of Science in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.

The College has the highest military-affiliated enrollment in TCSG. One in four STC students is a veteran, active duty service member or a military dependent/spouse. For the past three years, the College has been ranked the top Best for Vets public technical and career college in the U.S. by Military Times.

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#1946 | May 10, 2019
Media Contact: 
Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Derevensky selected for 2019 Rotary Scholarship

Dental Hygiene student in PPE sits with patientSAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College Dental Hygiene student Crystal Derevensky has been selected to receive the Porter G. Pierpont Scholarship provided by The Rotary Club of Savannah. She was selected by a panel of judges to receive the $1,500 scholarship for the 2019-20 academic year.

Applicant students must be enrolled in a degree program. In keeping with Rotary’s moto of “service above self,” recipients will be selected based, in part, on having demonstrated truly voluntary community service outside the classroom.

Deverensky enjoys helping people and cleaning. She said cleaning provides gratification of looking at something, cleaning it and making a difference. She has always been interested in teeth. She hopes to educate and motivate others to go to college to follow their dreams.

She and her daughter volunteer with church, animal rescue and events. “It is important for my daughter to see the impact we have on other people through service,” said Deverensky. “Giving back is very fulfilling.” She volunteered this year for Give Kids a Smile Day, which offered free dental services for ages 3-18 at the College.

The scholarship funds are managed by The Savannah Community Foundation, Inc. on behalf of The Rotary Club of Savannah.

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#1945 | May 29, 2019
Media Contact:
Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

Dental Hygiene Program Assistant:
912-443-4089 or astanley@savannahtech.edu

Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Savannah Tech Dental Assisting students celebrate program completion

Dental Assisting Ceremony Group 2019Savannah, GA – Sixteen students from Savannah Technical College’s Dental Assisting program were recently pinned at the completion of their program. This cohort had 100% retention during the 55-credit hour program and 100% passed the Expanded Functions for Georgia (EFDA) exam. Half of these students had full-time employment with job offers from the clinical sites where they worked this spring.

The Dental Assisting program at Savannah Technical College prepares students for employment in a variety of positions in today’s dental offices. The Dental 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 dental assisting. Graduates of the program receive a Dental Assisting diploma.

Satisfactory completion of all program courses entitles students to participate in the Dental Assisting National Board Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination and certification process.

The program in dental assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation [and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements”]. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is: http://www.ada.org

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#1944 | May 28, 2019

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

Health Sciences Academic Advisor: Cindy Cole
ccole@savannahtech.edu

Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Savannah Tech students win big at 2019 Skills USA state conference

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College students won medals in 11 competitions at the 2019 SkillsUSA Postsecondary State Conference, held in Atlanta, Ga. More than 500 college students from across the state of Georgia took part in the three-day competition. 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.

STC Industrial Maintenance Systems students won gold in Mechatronics for the third year in a row with a new team, Victor De La Cruz and Anthony Smith. Other gold medals include Construction Management student Taylor McMasters (Carpentry); Cosmetology students Dalel Gonzalez (cosmetology) and Whitney Turnquest (nail care); Automotive Technology student Jonathan Nary (mobile electronics installation); and Drafting student Xuan Huynh (technical drafting).

Two silver medals went to the Team Works team (Jerry Toub, Bailey Williams, Edna Bernal and Giovanni DeLuca); and to Drafting student Christina Magana (architectural drafting).

Bronze medal winners include Georgia Film Academy student team Spencer Wilson and Ashley Thompson (digital cinema), Automotive Technology William Boyle-Wheeler and Cosmetology student Michael Romano (job skills demo open).

Students who won gold at the state competition are eligible to compete in the national competition in Louisville, Ky., June 24-28, 2019 for the 55th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference.

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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#1943 | May 22, 2019

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

Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Savannah Tech selects Willcox as Chief of Police

Wayne Willcox headshot

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College has selected Wayne Willcox as its chief of police. Willcox will direct planning, development, scheduling and implementation of the STC police department. He will also coordinate operational plans and developments with local and other law enforcement agencies. Previously, he was the director of special programs in the Center for Applied Cyber Education to Armstrong State University/Georgia Southern.

He was the chief of police for Armstrong State University for more than nine years. He retired as police chief after working for almost 37 years with the police department for the City of Piqua, Ohio. He is an experienced police administrator who has received state, regional, and national recognition as an innovator in municipal and university police administration.

He has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Edison State College, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from the University of Findlay, and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Tiffin University. He is also P.O.S.T. certified in Georgia.

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#1942 | May 10, 2019

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

Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Savannah Technical College Students inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College inducted 47 students into its 2019 class for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s Beta Xi Tau Chapter recently. To be eligible for membership, students must have completed a minimum of 12 degree-level semester credit hours and have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. The STC Beta Xi Tau Chapter now has nearly 600 members.

Chapter co-presidents, Renea Hanna and William Boyle-Wheeler, along with advisors, Dr. Jordan Kiser, Jim Burch, Tonya Byrd, and Troy Cook, presided over the ceremony. Savannah Technical College’s 2019 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year James Halford gave the keynote address.

Congratulations to the 2019 Phi Theta Kappa inductees:

  • Heysi Alvarez-Rodas (Logistics Management),
  • Royce Anderson (Marketing Management),
  • Amber-Lee Bananni (Dental Hygiene),
  • Mikayla Batema (Networking),
  • Reginald Boudreau (Business Management),
  • Stephanie Burke (Business Management),
  • Williesha Campbell-Jenkins (Culinary Baking and Pastry Arts),
  • Lena Comer (Dental Hygiene),
  • Cheri Dana (Construction Management),
  • Charlotte Danquah (Logistics Management),
  • Crystal Derevensky (Dental Hygiene),
  • Katherine Fenno (Historic Preservation),
  • Cameron Gerrald (Surgical Technology),
  • Craig Giroux (Electrical and Computer Engineering),
  • Trisha Golston (Business Management),
  • Heather Graves (Culinary Arts and Hotel, Tourism, Restaurant Management),
  • Christopher Harmon (Electrical and Computer Engineering),
  • Stacy Hoskins (Paralegal),
  • Savannah Lynn Hughes (Business Management),
  • Taylor Jenkins (Dental Hygiene),
  • Arnold Ky (Electrical and Computer Engineering),
  • Krystina Langan (Industrial Systems),
  • Karen Lawler (Culinary Baking and Pastry Arts),
  • Christian Lewis (Culinary Arts),
  • Joao Lima (Electrical and Computer Engineering),
  • Monica Mackay (Surgical Technology),
  • Anthony Joe Martinez (Information Technology),
  • Jennifer McGuire (Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism Management),
  • Matthew Minter (Logistics Management),
  • Y Nu Nhu Nguyen (Early Childhood Care and Education),
  • Charter Nickles (Paralegal),
  • Tanya North (Dental Hygiene),
  • Harsh Patel (Information Technology),
  • Michaela Rahn (Health Care Science),
  • Kamberly Richmond (Surgical Technology),
  • Shelli Roberson (Business Technology),
  • Madison Rogers (Health Care Science),
  • Ashley Sanders (Accounting),
  • Melissa Smiley (Business Management),
  • Claudia Spriggs (Marketing Management),
  • Kimberly Streker (Culinary Baking and Pastry Arts),
  • Yvette Tillman (Dental Hygiene),
  • Bethany Trotter (Dental Hygiene),
  • Dawn Underwood (Business Management),
  • Alfreida Walthour (Construction Management) ,
  • Lauren West (Interdisciplinary Studies), and
  • John Wilhelm (Drafting).

Phi Theta Kappa was established in 1918 and is recognized by the American Association of Community Colleges as the official honor society of two-year colleges.

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#1941 | April 25, 2019
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu 

Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Grant supports military in Advanced Airframe & Powerplant training

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Military Affairs Council of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Savannah Technical College (STC) was awarded $59,525 in grant funding through the Defense Community Economic Development Fund to support expanded curriculum and to cover the cost of certification testing for military aviation mechanics. The fund is administered by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Office of Workforce Development.

“Savannah Technical College delivers exceptional training for its military students,” said Savannah Chamber President/CEO Bill Hubbard. “This grant will expand opportunities for military aviation mechanics to seamlessly transition to the civilian workforce.”

Military aircraft maintainers have the work experience and training, but often lack the certifications required to work in the civilian sector. The College offers an accelerated advanced Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) training program for those students with 30 documented, consecutive months of A&P work and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approval/sign-off of that work experience.

This funding allows for the expansion of training to prepare military members to earn the FAA Mechanic’s Certificate with A&P rating beginning in Summer 2019.

A&P Certification requires written, oral, and practical examinations. By expanding the Advanced Aviation Maintenance Certificate and covering the cost of testing, this grant will offer a cost-free pathway with flexible scheduling that limits the operational impact to military units and the financial impact for service members. This expansion will train an additional 45 military-affiliated students annually. 

“We take great pride in serving our military and being responsive to our community and industry partners,” said STC President Dr. Kathy S. Love. “We developed this fast track so that those with aviation mechanic experience can earn their FAA certifications they need without completing what would normally be a two-year program of study. With the ever-increasing need for A&P mechanics, graduates can count on a lucrative career in the aviation industry.”

Other community partners included in this grant application include: Military Aviation Units within the Savannah area with assigned mechanics (Active Army, Coast Guard, Georgia Air National Guard, Georgia Army National Guard; Army Career & Alumni Program (ACAP, Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield);  Comcast Internet Essentials; STC Foundation, along with industries in the Savannah area committed to hiring transitioning service members with FAA A&P Certification like Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation and Delta Airlines.

“As a company that relies heavily on recruiting highly skilled A&P mechanics and celebrates a workforce of thousands of veterans, this is very welcoming news,” said Amy Ariano, vice president of Human Resources, Gulfstream. “For many years, our highly collaborative partnership with Savannah Technical College has allowed us to recruit highly trained and skilled A&P mechanics. As the industry demand for A&P mechanics becomes even greater, this grant will help provide streamlined transition training for our servicemen and women looking to continue their career in aviation as a civilian — helping to fulfill a critical need for A&P mechanics in the aviation industry.”

Certified aircraft mechanics are in high demand throughout the nation with a 5% increase in job openings between 2016 and 2026. In Georgia, however, that increase is projected to be 12%. With a median income of over $60,000 per year, completers of this program who have the highly-sought-after FAA A&P certification as well as the work ethic and soft skills will seamlessly transition into the civilian aviation workforce.

STC’s state-of-the-art Aviation Training Center is located at the Crossroads Campus. For information about the College’s Aviation programs, call 912.443.4094 or visit www.savannahtech.edu/AviationTechnology or www.savannahtech.edu/military-aviation-mechanic/. For graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, etc., visit www.savannahtech.edu/GainfulEmployment.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the associate degree, diplomas, and technical certificates of credit. Contact SACSCOC for questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College. All questions about admission, enrollment, job placement, and related matters should be directed to an appropriate office at Savannah Technical College. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane Decatur, GA 30033-4097, 404-679-4500.

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#1940| April 24, 2019
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

For information about the College’s Aviation programs, call 912.443.4094 or visit www.savannahtech.edu/AviationTechnology or www.savannahtech.edu/military-aviation-mechanic/

Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).