SAVANNAH – The Savannah Technical College Foundation Community Council will host the 2020 Tribute to Community STARs (Savannah Tech Achievement Recognition awards) on Friday, October 23, 2020. The event, now in its fourteenth year, honors some 20+ individuals, nominated for their service and dedication at work or in the community.

For 2020, in keeping with COVID-19 safety precautions, the Tribute event will be held virtually via STC’s youtube channel at 12:15 p.m. This will allow groups of 10 to gather at their own locations to celebrate their STAR and enjoy a gourmet lunch. This year’s luncheon will feature inspirational video remarks from a top-secret motivational speaker.

Sponsorships begin at $1,000 to nominate a STAR. Sponsors will receive a gourmet lunch for 10 (individually packaged), an engraved STAR award, floral arrangement to celebrate your luncheon and program booklets delivered to their pre-determined location. Each STAR will have a professional portrait taken to be used with event promotion.

“2020 has certainly been a challenge for fundraising,” said STC Executive Director for Institutional Advancement and Communication Gail Eubanks. “But our community is filled with wonderful men and women who work tirelessly to make Coastal Georgia a great place to live and work. With a virtual celebration, we hope to include STARS and sponsors from close-by communities who can celebrate with their STAR at a convenient spot, close to home.”

The individually packages meals will be prepared by award-winning Savannah Culinary Institute student chefs with COVID-19 safety protocols in place. The lunch features Mediterranean spiced wild-caught salmon with Kalamata olives, feta, grilled artichokes, prosciutto crisps, heirloom tomatoes, piquillo pepper, artisan lettuce and pecorino vinaigrette served with artisan bread and herbed compound butter. Individual mango verrine desserts include sponge cake with cocoa nibs, white chocolate chiboust crème, mango and ginger compote, dark chocolate chip garnish and fresh mangoes. Vegetarian meals are available by request.

The Tribute event is held annually and is sponsored by the STC Foundation Community Council, a group of young professionals charged with expanding the local knowledge and profile of Savannah Technical College and its mission and with raising funds to support the college, its programs and students.

Nominations will be accepted through October 5 space permitting. Call 912.443.3022 for information. Proceeds from the event benefit Savannah Technical College Foundation’s support of students.

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.

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#2106 | September 21, 2020

STC Executive Director Advancement and Communications: Gail Eubanks
912.443.3022 or geubanks@savannahtech.edu

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

Constitution Day is September 17th

Commemorating the Constitution

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day are observed each year on September 17 to commemorate the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787, and “recognize all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.” In 2004, through Senator Robert C. Byrd’s leadership, Congress included key provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2005, requiring public schools and government agencies to provide educational programs to promote a better understanding of the Constitution. (Public Law 108-477)

Constitution Day Activities: Sept. 17th

Click the links below for some fun activities to celebrate Constitution Day!

Test your knowledge of our Founding Fathershttps://www.constitutionfacts.com/?page=realOrFake.cfm

What’s Your Constitution I.Q.?https://www.constitutionfacts.com/?page=quiz.cfm

History of Constitution Crossword Puzzlehttps://www.constitutionfacts.com/content/funZone/files/Crossword_Intmd1.pdf

Constitution Day Word Findhttps://www.constitutionfacts.com/content/funZone/files/WordFind3.pdf

Get Your FREE pocket guide Constitution booklet –  Complements of Financial Aid Services available at your nearest Savannah Tech campus!

You can visit Constitutionfacts.com by clicking the image below

You can order your own Constitution Booklet by clicking the image below

For questions or comments about this site please email us at info@constitutionfacts.com

Happy Constitution Day!

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College will offer two virtual information sessions for homeschool families on September 24.

The sessions will include information about general education and technical education (occupational) options for students through dual enrollment and after high school graduation. Parents will learn how Savannah Tech provides a complement to the homeschool foundation for students while in high school and beyond.

STC Vice President for Economic Development Dr. Brent Stubbs will host the session accompanied by STC’s Dual Enrollment Coordinator Shatealy Johnson. Stubbs was homeschooled for eight years. He and his wife have homeschooled their children for the past 11 years.

“The opportunity at Savannah Technical College for homeschoolers is tremendous,” said Stubbs. “Our general education courses are both rigorous and taught by caring faculty. Our technical education options give homeschool families the confidence that their children can enter the world self-sufficient. We have a safe campus with a commuter population of serious students looking to improve their lives. That energy is contagious!” 

Virtual information sessions will be held at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on September 24. Advance registration is requested by Sept. 22 with this link https://tinyurl.com/STCHome2020.

Dual Enrollment allows qualified high school students to maximize their education and career training by taking courses that earn college and high school credit at the same time. Students may choose to enroll fully into a degree, diploma, or technical certificate of credit (TCC) program, or they may choose to just take a few courses. Courses are taught on college campuses, online and hybrid (a blend of online and in-person classes).

Starting in 10th grade, students are eligible to take occupational or CTAE courses through Dual Enrollment funding. Junior and senior level (11th and 12th grade) students are eligible to take core/general education, as well as occupational courses. Financial Aid is available for students who meet the requirements.

Savannah Tech offers 28 degree level core/general education classes (math, science, English, history, etc.) that transfer to any University System of Georgia (USG) or Technical College System of Georgia college or university plus many other colleges/universities outside of the state of Georgia.

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# 2105 | Sept. 4, 2020

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

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College’s Professional Continuing Education department, the Greater Savannah Black Chamber of Commerce and SCORE have created a series of live, online workshops called Black in Business.

“We have an opportunity to learn some things that will help our businesses grow,” said Greater Savannah Black Chamber of Commerce President Moncello Stewart. “This partnership and series will help develop your business into what you want it to be.”

This free series will empower Black entrepreneurs and business owners to launch, climb and excel with the series of three online workshops. Sessions will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 23, Sept. 30 and Oct. 7.

“Savannah SCORE is excited and honored to be partnering with the Black Chamber and Savannah Tech to bring high quality business education programs to Savannah’s black community,” said Certified Mentor and Chapter Chair for Savannah SCORE Michael Siegel.

Each session will require individual registration. Entrepreneurs and business owners are encouraged to register for all three, but may also take sessions individually.

• Session I (Sept. 23) includes a business reality check and how to set up your business, which is based on SCORE’s popular “Business Launchpad” series. This Live Online Workshop will provide you with invaluable insights into things you need to know and do before starting your own business, and all the steps you need to take to get your business started. 
• Session II (Sept. 30) focuses on how to write an effective business plan and how to know your numbers with the fundamentals of financial management. The second workshop will explain why everyone needs a business plan and how to create one in only 10-12 pages. Participants will also learn how to understand and use essential financial reports to successfully manage their business.
• Session III (Oct. 7) features marketing fundamentals, digital marketing and social media. As part three of SCORE’s “Business Launchpad” series, participants learn the importance of effective marketing strategy, how to create a marketing plan and best practices for building a digital marketing campaign that harnesses the power of social media to grow their business.

Advance registration is required for the online workshops at https://www.savannahtech.edu/business-industry/small-business-resources/

SCORE is a non-profit resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration. With a network of over 300 chapters and over 10,000 volunteer business mentors around the country, SCORE is the nation’s largest provider of free business mentoring services and educational programs for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. Savannah SCORE and its team of 45 volunteer business experts were named SCORE’s “2019 Mid-Market Chapter of the Year”. The Chapter is the only 4-time Platinum Chapter in the State of Georgia. For more information or to schedule a free mentoring session with a Savannah SCORE business mentor, go to https://savannah.score.org.

STC’s Professional Continuing Education Department partners with local chambers and business groups to address specific short-term training needs in both traditional and online classroom settings. Courses cover a variety of skills and workforce development options that match local employer’s needs.

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# 2104 | Sept. 2, 2020

Professional Continuing Education: 912.443.3012
https://www.savannahtech.edu/business-industry/courses

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

Hinesville, Ga. – Savannah Technical College will begin offering Cybersecurity degree, diploma and certificate programs at the Ft. Stewart Army Education Center starting in Fall Semester 2020 with both online and in-seat options.

The College currently offers Cybersecurity at its Savannah and Liberty campuses. For the convenience of the active duty assigned to Ft. Stewart and to meet the growing demand, these programs will now also be offered at the Education Center. This will give Soldiers the opportunity to earn credentials while still serving, helping to advance their careers while preparing them for transition after the Army. Cybersecurity has been identified as one of the strategic priorities for the Army, and there are currently more than 11,000 cyber job openings around the state.

The STC Cybersecurity program’s building block approach allows students to reach the level most appropriate for their career goals. The College’s Cybersecurity Workforce Education Center (CWEC) helps students integrate Cybersecurity knowledge and skills into other programs if they desire such as a Networking Specialist. STC’s programs are highly respected in the field as seen in the College’s partnership with the Army Cyber Institute at West Point.

“This approach allows us to increase the training and cyber skills development for our students by integrating cybersecurity skills and coursework in an interdisciplinary fashion to maximize cyber defense education growth in the region”, says Scott C. Scheidt, STC’s Director of the CWEC and Department Head of Cyber and Related academic programs.

In cooperation with the Army Cyber Institute, Savannah Tech will help facilitate Jack Voltaic 3.0 in September 2020. This is a regional cyber readiness training exercise that will allow its students firsthand experience in multi-sector cyber operations.

“Opportunities like JV3.0 and STC faculty expertise provide a unique and valuable learning experience for students at the Army Education Center,” said STC Military Military Outreach Coordinator Steven Cisneros

Even though the COVID-19 crisis has restricted in-seat classes at the AEC at the start of the Fall 2020 semester, STC will offer its Cybersecurity courses online and at the Liberty and Savannah Campuses. Once the AEC re-opens to the public, STC will offer in-seat Cybersecurity courses in the AEC.

Cybersecurity is one of the high-demand options receiving additional HOPE Career Grant funds for those that qualify. For more information about STC’s Cybersecurity programs visit: www.savannahtech.edu/cybersecurity

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. The College has been ranked one of the top Best for Vets public technical and career college in the U.S. by Military Times. STC also has scholarships available to active duty, veterans, and dependents.

New students for all programs are encouraged to apply by August 14 to start with the Fall semester, which starts August 24. STC plans to offer a blend of in-person and on-line training options this fall at all of its campuses.

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# 2103 | August 7, 2020
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

Savannah Technical College Foundation Board of Trustees celebrated accomplishments for the previous fiscal year, announced leadership changes, and welcomed new members to its board.

In FY2020, the STC Foundation Board of Trustees awarded $206K in scholarships to Savannah Tech students. In January 2020, its Opportunity Gala honoring Kevin Jackson raised $250K, which is nearly three times more than previous events. For the fourth year in a row, the STC Foundation earned the designation Role Model Foundation Board Certification in November 2019 from the of Technical College Foundation Association (TCFA).

The FY2021 executive committee includes: Gary Sanchez – Chairman; Loretta Cockrum – Vice Chair; Stewart Bromley – Treasurer; Sam McCachern – Past-Chair; and Lynne Marini and Robyn Iannone will serve as At Large members.

The Foundation welcomed three new board members: Kay Ford, Nick Puhala and Trip Tollison.

• Kay Ford, currently serves as the chairman of BankSouth’s advisory board for the Savannah market and she BankSouth’s Chief Banking Officer serving the bank’s markets throughout the state. The former president and CEO of SunTrust Bank, Savannah, Ford retired after serving 41 years at Suntrust where she held numerous senior level positions within retail banking and private wealth management, including the position of senior vice president of Private Wealth Management. She is a graduate of Leadership Savannah and Leadership Georgia, a member of the Executive Committee of Savannah Economic Development Authority.
• Nick Puhala is a partner with Sterling Seacrest Partners. Nick has volunteered and held leadership positions with various organizations including the Rotary Club of Savannah, Chamber CEO Council, Propeller Club, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf, and Savannah Golf Championship Founders Club. He is a graduate of Leadership Savannah, Leadership Southeast Georgia, and was noted as a 2016 Generation Next Rising Star of Business. Nick holds the Certified Insurance Counselor professional designation and earned a BBA in Management from the University of Georgia.
• Trip Tollison serves as the President and CEO of the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) which includes World Trade Center Savannah (WTCSav), Savannah Regional Film Commission and an EB-5 Investment Center. Trip serves on the board of directors for the Jekyll Island State Authority, the Savannah Convention Center Authority, the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and the Savannah Music Festival. Trip is the former chairman of the Second Harvest Food Bank. He is a graduate of Leadership Savannah, Leadership Georgia and is a former Trustee of Leadership Georgia.

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. 

# 2101 | July 14, 2020

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

Savannah Technical College Construction Management student Zebulon Floyd was awarded a $2,500 scholarship from Fine Homebuilding.

Floyd was elected president of STC’s SkillsUSA chapter and has competed on STC’s SkillsUSA team for the past two years.

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.

He is poised to complete an associate of applied science in construction management this month. He plans to continue his training at Savannah Tech this fall to master electrical wiring, while he works as an apprentice to earn his construction license.

Prior to Savannah Technical College, Floyd said he knew absolutely nothing about construction or building anything. “Thanks to the hands-on instruction at Savannah Tech, I have a really good grasp on how to build things now and why buildings are built the way they are built,” said Floyd.

He says, it’s very important to keep this craft alive. “There’s no better feeling than to know that you built something from the ground up with your own two hands, and now someone is living in a house you built or putting to good use whatever you have built for them.”

 “I don’t know what I would do without Savannah Technical College or SkillsUSA because both have truly changed my life around and changed my perspective on a lot of things,” Floyd said. “It is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

Fine Homebuilding awards scholarships to SkillsUSA high school or college/postsecondary students continuing their education or certification programs in construction-related fields.

“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.

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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# 2102 | July 28, 2020
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College’s HERO Faculty and Staff Campaign won first/gold in the U.S. for a fundraising campaign with the 2019 Collegiate Advertising Awards. The College also earned two silver awards for logo design and self-promotion.

The College first started its Helping Everyone Realize Opportunity (HERO) campaign in 2015. STC’s marketing team developed the brand, built the campaign around personal interaction and offered incentives for donors. The HERO character was created as the original mascot for the campaign. The campaign surpassed fundraising and participation goals.

In 2019, STC rebranded its HERO campaign with custom hero characters that featured STC faculty and staff. This inspiration came from an incident when the five-foot foam-core HERO lost his head. He was on his way to be presented during a best practices workshop feature the HERO campaign for other colleges. To salvage the character, STC’s marketing team rounded off his shoulders, so donors could put their head on them for a photo. That’s when the team thought of the idea to create custom digital hero illustrations, bringing new life to the campaign.

Last year’s HERO campaign included 92% participation from STC faculty/staff raised $34,600+, which offered 20 student scholarships in FY2020. This also includes 32 who pledged 1% of their salary.

STC also won silver for developing a custom logo to promote Career Connections, a website connecting STC students and graduates with employers. Eric Willis with Fluorescent Design Studio designed the logo.

Another effort to promote Career Services won silver for self-promotion. To direct students to find the Career Services office at the Savannah Campus, STC’s marketing team had student success photos installed on the office windows. Photos were taken by Stephen B. Morton and installed by The Kennickell Group. Morton’s STC student success photography has previously been recognized with national awards.

The Collegiate Advertising Awards is an elite national program seeking to recognize today’s most talented marketing professionals for outstanding excellence in all forms of advertising, marketing and promotion specific to higher education products and services. All entries are centralized for judging (per category) by a panel of design and education marketing professionals with decades of combined experience. Entries are judged on: creativity, layout/design, typography, production, quality and overall effectiveness.

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# 2032 | June 10, 2020

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

Keep STC Healthy Poster

Practice good hygiene & social distancing

• Stop handshakes and use non-contact greeting methods. No hugs, high fives or fist bumps.
• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly.
• Wear a face mask any time you are sharing space with others, like in hallways.
• Keep your distance, allowing at least six feet of space between you and others at all times.
• Avoid touching your face and cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.

Stay home if…

• You are feeling sick
• You have a sick family member at home
• You have a fever of more than 100.4 degrees
• You experience symptoms of illness, to include:
  • Coughing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Loss of taste or smell

Check-in for safety!

• Only enter campus using designated entrances and check-in/check-out with the officer on duty.
• If you need to access campus after-hours or on weekends, contact the STC Police Department first to make arrangements.

Keeping it germ-free!

• Monitoring the number and location of employees on campus each day helps our facilities team ensure areas are disinfected after they are occupied.

Contact tracing

• Should a confirmed case occur on campus, knowing those in contact will allow us to notify individuals who may need to seek testing.

Source: CDC.gov