Melvin Everson, director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development to deliver Commencement Address May 24 6 PM in the Johnny Mercer Theatre

SAVANNAH – Melvin J. Everson of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development will deliver the Commencement Address at Savannah Technical College’s spring graduation, May 24 at 6 PM in the Johnny Mercer Theatre, Savannah Civic Center.

In this capacity, Director Everson manages the effort to improve job training and the marketability of Georgia’s workforce to enhance future economic growth in our state.Everson manages the only initiative of its kind to be conducted through a partnership between state government and state chambers of commerce, independent businesses, and the education community ensuring that companies can more reliably match the right people with the right jobs. Georgia Work Ready is based on a skills assessment and certification for job seekers and a job profiling system for businesses. By identifying both the needs of business and the available skills of Georgia’s workforce, the state can more effectively generate the right talent for the right jobs. http://www.savannahtech.edu/cwo/Economic_Development/Georgia_Work_Ready

Everson, a former State Representative, pastor and community volunteer had a distinguished military career, serving in the US Army for 23 years in both active duty and reserve duty. Originally from Abbeville, Ga., he is a graduate of Albany State University. He is a chartered member and past president of the Snellville Optimist Club, is the current President of the Lilburn Cooperative Ministry and a previous member of the Gwinnett School Board Human Relations board. He is the recipient of many community awards including the 2011 Public Service Award from the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce, the 2011 Frederick Douglass Award from the Morehouse Republican Club, the 2011 History Makers Among us Award from Salem Missionary Baptist Church and the Gwinnett United Ebony Society Pace Setter Award, among others. He and his wife Gerri have one adult son.

Savannah Technical College expects between 250 and 300 students to participate in graduation from among the 1,000 who applied for spring graduation.

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Savannah Technical College (Savannah Tech) is the premier provider of career-ready technical education in Coastal Georgia, offering a comprehensive range of nearly 150 market-driven programs, preparing students for high-demand careers including Aviation Technology, Cybersecurity, Health Sciences, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Automation & Robotics, Information Technology, Culinary Arts, Public Services and more. With campuses in Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties, Savannah Tech serves more than 13,000 credit and non-credit students with a variety of pathways to success, including dual enrollment programs for high school students and specialized support services for military veterans and their families. Beyond academics, Savannah Tech is an economic and community development partner, collaborating with industry leaders to provide customized training programs, assessment services, and continuing education opportunities. For more information, visit www.savannahtech.edu.

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 complies with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). The TCSG State Board prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status (“protected status”). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any TCSG program or activity because of the individual’s protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual’s protected status, except the preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.