Savannah Technical College Culinary Arts student Santiago Martinez was selected for a $2,500 scholarship by the Tourism Leadership Council. He was one of six students honored at the 25^th annual TLC Tourism Awards and Scholarship Dinner.

“Santiago’s demeanor and professionalism have made a positive impact on his classmates,” said Savannah Culinary Institute Department Head Chef Gearry Caudell. “With his strong work ethic, he will go far in his chosen career path, as he develops into a future leader of our hospitality industry. I am proud to have him in my classroom.”

Martinez was recently promoted to sous chef at Oaks on the River Luxury Boutique Resort in Darien, Ga.

“I promoted him to a supervisory position (at another restaurant) and brought him in as part of the ‘opening’ crew for this new hotel’s restaurant,” said Resort Chef Chris Ciero of Oaks on the River Luxury Boutique Resort. “He has been a key element in this property’s transitional process. He has shown his skills and love for his craft, which will move him forward in this business.”

He has worked in restaurants for eight years, starting as a dishwasher at 15 and cooking for the past three years. He enjoys the fast-paced environment of a commercial kitchen and enjoys quickly adapting as it changes. He just completed his first semester as a part-time student while working full-time. He plans to earn an associate degree in Culinary Arts and then visit and work in big culinary places to learn as much as possible.

“Santiago is exceptionally hardworking and passionate about the culinary arts,” said Executive Chef Justin Dale of Three Little Birds, Fly-in, Fly-Out. “He consistently puts in extra hours to perfect his skills and dishes, always aiming for excellence and his dedication is truly admirable. His culinary skills are impressive, marked by his creativity and ability to collaborate effectively with his colleagues.”

TLC Scholarships are awarded to current or future students who are for pursuing a career in tourism, culinary, and hospitality arts. TLC has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships and made a meaningful investment into the future of its community. Many of the students who have been awarded are currently working in the tourism community in the Coastal Empire.

The Tourism Leadership Council serves as the leading trade organization for tourism, an industry with more than 27,000 employees and a $4.4 billion economic impact in the Savannah area.

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 its committee chair, the Savannah Culinary Institute, 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.

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College has selected Allison Mathurin as its Business Management Department Head. He is responsible for oversight of all instruction, curriculum development, administrative and budgetary aspects for the College’s Business Management program.

Mathurin has more than four decades of experience with business and operations management. Most recently, he was a management and industrial organizational psychology consultant for a major roofing, rebar, fencing, and PVC pipes manufacturing that employed more than 100 staff members, who he also trained in customer service skills and more than 20 staff members, who he trained in leadership, effective supervision techniques, and quality management. He was the executive director for a premiere quasi- governmental social agency in St. Lucia (Caribbean), where he managed a team of more than 30 full-time and 600 contracted personnel and related operations. Also, he established a registered staff training and development company in St. Lucia more than two decades ago. 

He has a student-centric approach that enhances student motivation, attitude and engagement, while maximizing learning success by infusing real-world work experiences across multiple industries. He has been a lecturer/facilitator for colleges and universities for nearly three decades both in the U.S. and St. Lucia.

He has a doctorate in industrial organizational psychology from Northcentral University, an MBA from the University of Detroit, a bachelor’s degree in business administration (management) and associate’s degree in business management from McMurry University. He also has an associate’s degree in logistics management from the Community College of the Air Force.

STC’s Business Management program is designed to prepare students for entry into management and supervisory occupations in a variety of businesses and industries. Learning opportunities will introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and occupational knowledge, skills and abilities required for job acquisition, retention and advancement in management. Graduates of the program receive a Business Management degree or diploma with a specialization in general management, operations management or human resource management or technical certificate of credit in human resource management.

Last year, Business Management diploma/degree graduates had a 100% placement rate in field (AY 2022). Classes are available in-person and online. For information about the College’s Business Management programs, visit www.savannahtech.edu/Business-Management.

#2415 | December 1, 2023

Savannah Technical College Welding student Dylan Youghn has been selected to receive the Wayne J. Engeron Scholarship by the American Welding Society Atlanta Section.

Youghn is the vice chairman for the AWS Student Chapter at Savannah Tech. He competed on the SkillsUSA 2023 Fabrication Team and placed second at the 2023 Xcel Welding Competition. He has maintained a 3.5 GPA and is on track to graduate in Spring 2024.

Welding & Joining Technology training prepares students for careers in all types of welding including shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, gas tungsten arc and flux cored arc. Graduates master all types of welding with a degree or diploma or may take short-term technical certificates of credit to focus on specific types of welding. Welding and Joining Technology is offered at the Savannah and Effingham campuses, along with welding labs in Hinesville and Richmond Hill, Ga. Welding diploma graduates have had a 100% placement in field for the past four academic years (AY19-22).

For more information about Welding and Joining, contact STC Industrial Technology Advisor at 912.443.5859 or landerson@savannahtech.edu.

About American Welding Society

Founded in 1919, the American Welding Society is a nonprofit organization with a global mission: to advance the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes worldwide, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying.

By fostering knowledge, embracing change, and providing real-world opportunities through scholarships, fellowships, and workforce development, AWS provides the tools to help members succeed—and to inspire future generations of welding professionals. The AWS Foundation awards over $2 million annually for education and training in welding and related fields.

Photo (left to right): Rene Engeron (American Welding Society – Atlanta Section Secretary), Dylan Youghn (Student/Recipient), Ernest D’Alto (Owner/Employer – Thunderbolt Marina), Tracy Thompson-Lee (Human Resource Manager – Thunderbolt Marina), Robert Trudelle (American Welding Society – Atlanta Section Chairman), Daryl Peterson(American Welding Society – District 5 Director)

# 2416 | December 1, 2023

JACKSON, Mississippi – Nicole Magnani, a Criminal Justice student at Savannah Technical College has received the Gordon Graham Leadership and Ethics in Criminal Justice Scholarship of $1,000 from the International Public Safety Leadership and Ethics Institute (IPSLEI) and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society.

Corporal Magnani works full-time as a senior instructor with the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office. She is on track to graduate this semester with an associate degree in Criminal Justice from Savannah Tech. She is a member of PTK and the National Technical Honor Society. She plans to attend the University of Cincinnati for an undergraduate paralegal/law degree.

The Graham Scholarship program provides scholarships exclusively to Phi Theta Kappa members who demonstrate potential for excellence in the criminal justice field while enrolled in a regionally accredited associate degree public safety program.

The Graham Scholarship was established by IPSLEI and Phi Theta Kappa in honor of Gordon Graham. Graham is a retired law enforcement commander, attorney, and an internationally known speaker, author, and lecturer in the field of criminal justice and risk management.

The Graham Scholarship is one of a growing number of scholarships available to Phi Theta Kappa members in career or technical programs. Learn more about the scholarship.

STC’s Criminal Justice program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for Criminal Justice professions. The program emphasizes a combination of theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. The criminal justice field offers thousands of career opportunities in the three components of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, the courts, and corrections, as well as careers in private security. For more information visit www.savannahtech.edu/CriminalJustice.

About IPSLEI – IPSLEI brings the concepts of leadership and ethics to the forefront of an individual’s career, rather than waiting until a person is promoted into a supervisory position. This program is based on the belief that one need not be a supervisor or manager to understand leadership principles and contribute to the leadership process. Learn more about IPSLEI.

About Phi Theta Kappa – Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

#2414 | November 20, 2023

Savannah Technical College and its Foundation received three awards when the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) gathered for its annual leadership conference in Savannah recently.

Savannah Technical College wins first runner-up for TCSG LEAD Award

Savannah Technical College was the first runner-up in TCSG’s Leadership and Excellence in Attendance and Dedication (LEAD) award. This competition between TCSG colleges is based on metrics for each local board and foundation with point allocation based on:

• Percentage of board and foundation members who attend the leadership conference (based on registration)
• Distance traveled from main campus to Savannah
• Being 100% local board certified
• Being a Role Model Foundation
• Points are also given to the host college for teaching a class.

STC Foundation Board of Trustees earns Role Model Board designation

Savannah Technical College Foundation Board of Trustees earned the designation of Technical College Foundation Association (TCFA) 2023 Role Model Foundation Board Certification for the seventh consecutive year at TCSG’s Fall Leadership Conference.

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

The TCFA Delegate Council presents this award to encourage and recognize foundation boards that engage in outstanding business practices and demonstrate the highest level of commitment. In order to obtain the certification, not only does the board as a whole have to meet certain requirements, but each individual board member must meet specific requirements.

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

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

The STC Foundation Board of Trustees 2023-24 membership includes: Kay Ford, Chair; David Burkoff, Vice Chair; Gary Sanchez, Past Chair; Taylor Mongin, Treasurer; Sam McCachern, At-Large; Alfonso Ribot, At-Large; Dr. Bertice Berry; Scott Center; Lisa Colbert; Patrick Connell; Jesse Dillon; Monica Dorsey; Matt Dowling Dr. Franklin Goldwire; Nina Gompels; Kevin Jackson; Nick Puhala; Steven Stowers; Cecilia Russo Turner; Michael Traynor; Stacy Watson; Dr. Fran Witt.

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.

Local Board earns TCDA of Georgia, Inc. board certification for all members

Savannah Technical College’s Board of Directors earned 100% board certification for all members for the sixth consecutive year in academic year 2023. All local board members become members of the Technical College Directors’ Association (TCDA of Georgia, Inc.) when they join their respective local board. TCDA provides the training necessary to become a certified board member. To achieve the status of “certified board member,” board members are required to attend a series of professional development classes consisting of: new board orientation/governance; building relationships with elected officials; community advocacy; understanding the legislative budgeting process and financial management of technical colleges and an elective workshop.

In order to become TCDA Certified, a local board member must complete the four required workshops, one elective workshop plus two required and eight selected activities. Selective activities include attending 80% of local board meetings, going on a tour of the technical college, attending a TCSG State Board meeting or TCSG Leadership Conference, etc.

The STC Local Board of Directors 2022-23 membership includes Donald Lovette, Chairman (Liberty); Brandt Herndon, Vice-Chairman (Effingham); Dr. Kathleen Benton (Chatham); Col (R) Pete Hoffman (Chatham); Todd Hoffman (Effingham); Audrey King (Chatham); and Tom Ratcliffe (Liberty).

#2413 | November 17, 2023

Atlanta, GA – During the inaugural Governor’s Workforce Summit (October 6, 2023), Governor Brian P. Kemp announced the launch of GEORGIA MATCH, one of the largest state-run direct admissions initiatives in the nation. The culmination of multiple state agencies working together to ease the process of connecting students with higher education opportunities, this program will engage all learners and households, including those that do not typically consider postsecondary education pathways. No other state in the country currently has a direct admissions initiative of this scope and scale.

“GEORGIA MATCH is a great example of the historic success we can achieve when stakeholders across the education spectrum work together,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “This program will ensure that every high school student in our state knows they have options to learn and succeed here in the No. 1 state for business.”

GEORGIA MATCH is an innovative education and workforce initiative developed in collaboration with the Governor’s Office, Governor’s Office of Planning & Budget, Georgia Student Finance Commission, Technical College System of Georgia, Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, Georgia Department of Education, and University System of Georgia. The number of schools listed on a GEORGIA MATCH letter is determined by the individual student’s 11th grade HOPE GPA and freshman index score. All students will receive a letter of academic eligibility for admission to the twenty-two Technical College System of Georgia institutions. Students with higher GPAs will also see up to twenty-three University System of Georgia institutions. The three USG institutions not participating in the GEORGIA MATCH program utilize a different holistic admissions process.

Beginning next week, over 120,000 high school seniors in Georgia will receive a personalized letter from Governor Kemp listing the public technical institutions, colleges and universities that are holding a spot for them in the Fall 2024 semester, based on academic eligibility. The letters will provide information on next steps to claim a spot at a college on the student’s individual list.

All GEORGIA MATCH participating institutions will waive application fees for students during November 2023 for students who apply through GEORGIA MATCH. Students may view their personalized MATCH list, request more information, and claim their spot at gafutures.org/GEORGIAMATCH beginning next week.
 

Press Contacts

Garrison Douglas – Press Secretary
Office of Governor Brian P. Kemp
garrison.douglas@georgia.gov

Carter Chapman – Deputy Press Secretary
Office of Governor Brian P. Kemp
carter.chapman@georgia.gov

Hayley Corbitt – Director of External Affairs
Georgia Student Finance Commission
hcorbitt@gsfc.org

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College will host an interactive event led by Savannah Culinary Institute instructors with hands-on demonstrations paired with wines, known as Interactif, at 5:45 p.m., on Thursday, November 2 in the Eckburg Auditorium (5717 White Bluff Road, Savannah, 31405).

Interactif 2023 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 sunflower seed halva, triopitas, and preserved lemons. International cuisine will include Romania, Greece, and Morocco. The fourth station will feature Spanish wines paired with tapas.

Cost is $125 per person with proceeds supporting the Patrick Ansley Williams Memorial Scholarship at Savannah Technical College. Seating is limited to 100. Advance tickets may be purchased online: www.savannahtech.edu/Interactif.

Guests will enjoy braised lamb tagine with preserved lemon; chorizo and fennel triopitas with green goddess; panna cotta with sunflower seed havla, along with artisan breads, cheeses, charcuterie, and hors d’oeuvres. The event is 21+ and all IDs will be checked. No one under 21, please.

This year Wine Educator Dayna Lee will lead a tasting featuring wines of Spain. She is a native New Yorker, who has provided wine/spirits education through her various roles at Wine.com, Liquor.com, Maker’s Mark Distillery, the Astor Center NYC and Metropolitan Wine Group. She holds wine & spirits certifications from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, is a Certified Sherry Wine Specialist and is currently studying as a Spanish Wine Scholar. She founded the Savannah Wine Institute (SWI) to create fun and accessible ways to explore wine and spirits.

This event has raised nearly $128,000 to benefit the Patrick Ansley Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund. In 2020, the College developed an alternate event for this scholarship with its Big Pig Fundraiser sales, which have raised an additional $18,000.

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.

With support from the Savannah Technical College Foundation, the College purchased 7 West Bay Street as the new downtown location for an expansion of its Culinary Arts program, which will more than double the available instructional space. Senior level (second year) students will take classes and work in the bakery and restaurant. The hands-on, real-world experience in the restaurant/bakery 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 restaurant operations.

New students are admitted to the baking and pastry program year-round. For more information about Culinary Arts at Savannah Tech visit: www.facebook.com/SavannahCulinaryInstitute.

 

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 its committee chair, the Savannah Culinary Institute, 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.

#2412 | October 4, 2023

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College has selected Dr. Anthony Nixon as its Criminal Justice Department Head. He is responsible for oversight of all instruction, curriculum development, administrative and budgetary aspects for the College’s Criminal Justice program.

Nixon has nearly three decades of parole services experience with the State of Ohio culminating with Parole Services Supervisor with the state for nearly two decades. He has a taught criminal justice online since 2006 for Colorado Technical University, Liberty University and Oakland City University. He was an adjunct professor for the School of Leadership Studies and Professional Development with online distance learning for Mountain State University and a lecturer for the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences at Central State University in Ohio.

He has a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Philosophy in public policy and administration from Walden University, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Tiffin University and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice form Saint John’s University. He is a certified public manager and a member of The National Major Gang Task Force, The American Probation and Parole Association, The Midwest Gang Investigators Association, and the National Association of Property Recovery Investigators.

Savannah Technical College’s Criminal Justice program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for Criminal Justice professions. The program emphasizes a combination of theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. The Criminal Justice field offers thousands of career opportunities in the three components of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, the courts, and corrections, as well as careers in private security. For more information visit www.savannahtech.edu/CriminalJustice.

#2411 | September 29, 2023

SAVANNAH, GA – Eighteen transitioning U.S. Army service members recently completed Savannah Tech’s Fast Track Logistics training program through a partnership with Heroes Make America and STC’s Economic Development continuing education division.

This cohort spent eight weeks learning about the logistics industry, including an overview of global supply chain, logistics, material handling, quality control principles, workplace communications, safety, and equipment operation. They also worked on best practices for securing civilian career employment including resume preparation, interviewing skills, salary negation, networking and job searching. The next cohort begins October 16.

Nine have accepted jobs offers with employers including JCB, Georgia Pacific, International Paper, Hyundai Materials, and Niagara Bottling. The other half of the cohort remain on active duty through January 2024 and are activity interviewing in the manufacturing and logistics industry.

Participants earned certifications in forklift safety training, OSHA 30 for general industry, and two nationally recognized credentials – Certified Logistics Associate (CLA) and Certified Logistics Technician (CLT) from the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC). The core competencies as defined by MSSC, cover nationally validated skills standards for higher skilled, frontline material handling workers across all supply chain facilities: factories, warehouses, distribution centers and transporters.

Heroes MAKE America is The Manufacturing Institute’s initiative to build connections between the military community and the manufacturing industry. Its signature program, a DoD-approved SkillBridge, provides transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard, reservists and military spouses with the skills and certifications to find and excel in manufacturing careers. Heroes MAKE America offers in-person training at Ft. Riley, KS; Ft. Cavazos, TX; Ft. Liberty, NC; Ft. Stewart, GA and a 100% Virtual training option.

About Savannah Technical College Continuing Education

STC’s Professional Continuing Education Department provides short-term classes in both traditional and online classroom settings. Continuing Education classes do not require formal enrollment into the college. Courses cover a variety of skills and workforce development options that match both personal and professional development needs. For more details about other classes visit: http://www.savannahtech.edu/learn-now

#2410 | September 21, 2023

SAVANNAH, GA- Leadership from Seoyon E-Hwa and Savannah Technical College signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a training partnership today at STC’s Savannah Campus. The training partnership MOU will include credit and non-credit training programs.

“We are thrilled to engage in a training partnership with another of our new industries locating in the area, Seoyon E-Hwa,” said STC President Dr. Kathy Love. “As a technical college in Georgia, our sole mission is workforce development. It’s very crucial that we work closely with our advanced manufacturing partners to ensure we are the place that they come when they need skilled employees to be successful.”

Seoyon E-Hwa, a global auto parts supplier that manufactures both interior and exterior components, announced (February 2023) that it will create 740 new direct and indirect jobs and invest more than $96 million in a new manufacturing facility in Chatham County.

“This is a great opportunity for our company to hire very skilled employees from the esteemed Savannah Technical College,” said Seoyon E-Hwa President Chung Yun Kim. “This will make the best partnership of industrial-academic cooperation.”

The new facility will be located at the Savannah Chatham Manufacturing Center, a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) Certified site. The new manufacturing facility will produce automotive interior parts such as door trims, headlining, and tailgate trims. Production is expected to begin in October 2024. More than two-thirds, or approximately 500, of the announced jobs will be permanent roles in human resources, development, quality, and production personnel.

On October 25, 2022, Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America officially broke ground in neighboring Bryan County on its first fully dedicated EV and battery manufacturing facility. Building on the assets that make the automotive industry successful, Georgia is positioned as a hub for the electric mobility industry. Since 2020, more than 35 EV-related projects have announced more than $21 billion in investment and 26,700 jobs in Georgia.

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About Seoyon E-Hwa

Established in 1972, Seoyon E-Hwa operates 32 corporations in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Seoyon E-Hwa supplies door trim, headlining, seats, C/PAD, bumpers, and other parts to Hyundai Motor Group, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Volkswagen, and more. www.seoyoneh.com.

#2409 | September 15, 2023