ATLANTA, GA – Savannah Technical College ESL Instructor Mark Huguely was recognized as a finalist in TCSG – Technical College System of Georgia‘s Outstanding Teacher of the Year at the 30th annual EAGLE (Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education) conference. This recognition honors teachers who make significant contributions to the field through instruction, innovation, and leadership in adult education.

Huguely teaches Intermediate ESL in a hybrid model that allows students to decide daily if they will attend in person or online, in the morning or at night. This flexibility and his excellent teaching skills result in consistently high attendance and successful outcomes. He also teaches a GED class in Spanish for ESL students, who may be months away from obtaining a GED in Spanish but years from obtaining a GED in English.

Prior to the EAGLE conference, he was named STC’s Adult Education Instructor of the Year (2024). He stands with TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier and Dr. Canyanna Good, TCSG’s Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Adult Education.

The EAGLE Leadership Institute recognizes and honors those students who have demonstrated superior achievement in adult education classes. Selection criteria include student character, attitude, attendance, leadership and community involvement and activities. From this group, one student is selected to represent the local program at the state EAGLE Leadership Institute (March 25-27, 2024). The Institute provides workshops in leadership topics to build on the strong leadership characteristics the student already exhibits.

EAGLE is the first statewide program in the nation that recognizes and rewards excellence among students enrolled in adult education programs. This student recognition program is designed to create greater awareness of educational opportunities available in local communities across the state and to foster greater involvement in lifelong learning pursuits.

Savannah Tech’s Adult Education Program provides accessible and high-quality education, serving those who need to improve their basic literacy and math skills, improve their oral and written English, practice for the GED® test to attain an HSE degree, and prepare for college. Instructors also help students with science and social studies test preparation for GED® testing.

STC teaches adult education classes in the morning, afternoon, evening and online. They are offered in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Adult education classes for GED®-prep are currently free for all U.S. citizens. To register for free GED® classes, call 912.443.5446 or visit www.savannahtech.edu/FreeGEDClasses. For GED® testing information, go to www.ged.com to sign up to take test or go to www.savannahtech.edu/testingcenter to learn more about our testing locations.

#2443 | April 26, 2024

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College’s Center for Traditional Craft will offer a stained-glass weekend workshop featuring copper foil and lead came techniques May 18-19, 2024.

The two-day workshop will feature both copper foil and lead came techniques. It will be led by Preservation Artisan Terry Koller. Participants will learn to use tools to select, prepare and cut stained glass. The March workshop teaches the technique of using thin copper foil to wrap the colorful glass pieces. The April workshop will focus on fitting glass pieces into channeled strips of lead. Both workshops will teach participants how to fuse pieces together. Tools and materials will be provided.

Cost workshop is $175 per person. All skill levels are encouraged to attend. Participants must attend both days and will make a stained-glass piece to take home. The workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at STC’s Historic Preservation lab (5717 White Bluff Road, Savannah, 31405). Register by the Thursday before the workshop (May 16, 2024) at www.savannahtech.edu/weekend-workshop.

Koller has a rich educational and training background in preservation. He earned an Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Design from Triangle Technical College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, completed coursework in Civil Engineering at Point Park University, also in Pittsburgh, and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Historic Preservation from the Savannah College of Art and Design. He completed a two-month program in Sienna, Italy with Villanova University and Rosemont College focusing on Renaissance Art and Architecture, Art Restoration, the modern Italian Art Industry, and the Italian Language. Koller has worked in Construction, Craft, and the Field of Historic Preservation for over 30 years. Koller has been employed by the Coastal Heritage Society for 20 years managing the operation and care of six museums in the Savannah area.

As the only public hands-on Historic Preservation program in Georgia and one of seven in the U.S., Savannah Technical College has led the way in preservation education, specializing in training not typically held by construction workers. The program has gained international recognition and has contributed to a number of community-based preservation projects in the surrounding communities. Traditional Building Magazine named Savannah Tech’s Historic Preservation program one of the nation’s Up and Coming programs. For more information about Historic Preservation, contact STC Industrial Technology Advisor at 912.443.5859 or landerson@savannahtech.edu.

The College is offering 8-week courses for its summer semester that begins May 28. Apply today to start training for a career in preservation.

#2442 | April 26, 2024

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College’s Foundation raised more than $100,000 at the 19th annual Opportunity Gala honoring Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. on March 28, 2024. Nearly 250 celebrated Gulfstream’s commitment to workforce development, hiring locally and building the region’s talent pipeline.

Led by event co-chairs Kay Ford (STCF Board Chair) and Monica Dorsey, the event honors deserving leaders and businesses in the local community for a lifetime of service in creating and enhancing opportunities for others to succeed. 

Thank you to the sponsors for their support of the event:

President’s Club: EnviroVac, Gulfstream, Savannah Economic Development Authority.

Dean’s List: Bank South; Coomer, Coomer & Routher, P.C.; Georgia Ports Authority; Goodwill Southeast Georgia; Naturals 2 Go; HunterMaclean Attorneys; The Pinyan Company; Rolls Royce; Savannah Hilton Head International Airport; Thomas & Hutton.

Alumni Club: Ameris Bank; Architecture 101; AT&T; Bonitz; Choate Construction; Club Car Championship; Dorsey Tire; Effingham County Industrial Development Authority; Ele and the Chef; Kinder Morgan; Hansen; Holland, Bromley, Barnhill & Brett; Image Hotels; International Paper; JIT Warehousing & Logistics; Karen & Ted Kleisner;  National Office Systems; Mary Reynolds Morrison; Savannah Area Chamber; Jacqueline & Ken Sirlin; and Sterling Seacrest Pritchard.

In-Kind: Thanks to WTOC-TV for the videos and Stage Front for event excellence.

The four-course menu featured a salad and entrée developed by STC Culinary Arts student Sohan Bolle. The meal was prepared and served by STC Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts student. Use this link for event photos. To watch event videos visit: Video #1 (Savannah Tech); Video #2 (Gulfstream); Video #3 (Student Success).

The event is a fundraiser for the Savannah Technical College Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization that raises funds to support Savannah Technical College. STC Foundation Board members are leading the fundraising efforts.

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 Foundation also supports student success through its many privately funded scholarships.

#2441 | April 25, 2024

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Twelve students from the Savannah Technical College Peace Officer Academy celebrated graduating from the program with a ceremony this week. These graduates have completed coursework containing the entire Georgia Peace Officer Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Law Enforcement Training Course. Their successful completion of the program qualifies them to be state-certified peace officers.

This is the 44th group of students to complete the program since its inception in 2009. To date, the program has graduated more than 400 P.O.S.T.-certified officers. Eight of these graduates have been hired by area police departments. STC’s Peace Officer Academy has a 100% placement rate (AY22).

Each cohort selects a fallen officer for whom the graduating class will be named. The cohorts have a tradition of giving the family of the fallen officer a challenge coin dedicated to the officer. A challenge coin is a symbol of an unbreakable bond of dedication and allegiance among military personnel and law enforcement officers. The challenge coin tradition started as a military tradition in World War I and was later adopted by law enforcement.

This cohort honors Cpt. Joseph “Joe” W. Manning of Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, who passed away on August 25, 2021. Cpt. Manning had served with Wayne County Sheriff’s Office for thirty-one years in various positions such as a Jail Administrator, Arson Investigator, Deputy Coroner, Sniper and Honor Guardsman. He was survived by his wife, children, family and friends.

The Basic POST Certification Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC) provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to become competent law enforcement officers. The 11-week cohort program utilizes classroom instruction pertaining to criminal justice theory and the prevailing principles of modern law enforcement, as well as practical application of pertinent enforcement skills. College coursework contains the entire Georgia Peace Officers Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Law Enforcement Training Course so that successful completion of the program will qualify the student to be a state-certified peace officer. Students that qualify for HOPE may receive additional funds through the HOPE Career Grant with this program.

This TCC offers a first step in law enforcement.  Select courses in the Basic Law Enforcement Certificate program transfer towards an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice.  Many agencies pay all or part of the tuition for officers to work toward degrees in criminal justice, police science, administration of justice, or public administration and pay higher salaries to those who earn one of those degrees.

For more information about the Peace Officer Academy visit www.savannahtech.edu/PeaceOfficerAcademy or contact the office at 912.443.5191 or njones@savannahtech.edu.

The next cohort begins in May 2024. The College is recruiting now for the fall cohort, which begins September 9.

#2440 | April 22, 2024

Savannah Tech’s National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) chapter won the Overall Membership Increase recognition at the Georgia State Leadership Conference. The College’s membership increased 24% for AY23 with 158 new members compared with AY22. NTHS membership at Savannah Tech requires a 3.5 GPA, 12 earned credit hours, and a faculty nomination.

NTHS State Executive Director Annie Harp presented the award to STC’s NTHS members prior to the conference. 

#2440 | April 16, 2024

ALBANY, GA–The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ryan Foley as the new President of Savannah Technical College. The decision by TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier to name Dr. Foley as President was announced today at the April 2024 State Board Meeting of the Technical College System of Georgia in Albany. 

“Dr. Foley has consistently demonstrated a remarkable dedication to student success and a profound understanding of the transformative power of technical education,” said TCSG Commissioner, Greg Dozier. “His leadership will help Savannah Technical College reach new heights, ensuring its continued impact on the community and the economy.”

Dr. Foley’s journey in technical education spans more than two decades, with a remarkable tenure at Ogeechee Technical College. Starting as a Human Resource Coordinator in 2003, Dr. Foley has demonstrated his dedication and passion for empowering students. He has held various leadership roles at Ogeechee Tech, including Director for Enrollment Services, Vice President for Student Affairs, and most recently, Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.

“As President of Savannah Technical College, I am committed to fostering an environment of innovation, collaboration, and student-centered learning,” said Dr. Foley. “Together with our dedicated faculty and staff, we will help our students achieve their goals and fulfill their potential, while also meeting the evolving needs of our community and industry partners.”

Dr. Foley holds a bachelor’s degree in management and a Master of Business Administration degree from Georgia Southern University. He also earned his Doctor of Education Degree in Higher Education Management from the University of Georgia.

Dr. Ryan Foley assumes his role as President of Savannah Technical College on April 5. 

About the Technical College System of Georgia

The 22 colleges of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) are Georgia’s top resource for skilled workers. TCSG offers world-class training in more than 600 associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs to students who are trained on state-of-the-art equipment by instructors who are experts in their fields. The system also houses Georgia’s Office of Adult Education, which promotes and provides adult literacy and education programs, including the GED® testing program, throughout the state. In addition, TCSG partners with companies through Quick Start, the nation’s top customized workforce training program, and through its individual colleges, who work with local industry to provide workforce and training solutions. For more information, visit www.TCSG.edu

About Savannah Technical College

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.

###

04/04/2004

Contact:

Technical College System of Georgia
Mark D’Alessio
Executive Director of Communications
mdalessio@tcsg.edu  

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College won five gold awards and one silver award with the 2023 Collegiate Advertising Awards. The College recently won top honors with the Educational Advertising Awards.

The College won gold in five categories: self-promotion for the Career Ready backdrop;  logos/trademarks/mascots for the HVAC Student Club logo; photo/illustration for the 2023 GOAL Student of the Year (Darrell Sanders) by Stephen Morton; and the 2023 Opportunity Gala honoring Chef Mashama Bailey won gold for both total fundraising campaign and invitations. The College won silver in the internet advertising (series) category with the Creative Careers web advertising campaign.

The College has won gold the past two years in the self-promotion, invitation, and photo/illustration categories for Collegiate Advertising Awards. For more information about STC’s national and regional awards for the past two decades visit www.savannahtech.edu/awards.

About Collegiate Advertising Awards

The Collegiate Advertising Awards program is an elite national program created to honor 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.

#2439 | March 25, 2024

SAVANNAH, GA – HMGMA donated two sets of tool kits to Savannah Technical College to assist in the development of future electric vehicle professionals.

“Savannah Technical College appreciates HMGMA’s support and partnership,” said STC’s Interim President Dr. Ryan Foley. “This donation of tooling and equipment will help Savannah Technical College continue to train our students in the preferred pathway to become Meta Pros and meet HMGMA’s workforce needs.”

The kits, which are valued at around $9,500 each, include automotive milli meters, multi meters and other related tools. The two kits will be used at the Savannah and Liberty campuses where the Electric Vehicle Professional (EVP) Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC) is offered. They were also distributed to Ogeechee Technical College, Coastal Pines Technical College and Southeastern Technical College.

“These colleges have been tremendous partners to us,” said Brent Stubbs, HMGMA Senior Manager of Learning and Development. “This is a small way for us to give back to the colleges and fill a need for valuable equipment for their automotive labs. We recognized similar needs at all four colleges, and we are excited to invest in them as they help us develop a pipeline of future talent.”

Savannah Technical College developed the EVP TCC with input to develop the short-term, specialized training certificate, which was designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in the electric vehicle production industry. The College also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with HMGMA in May 2023 for a training partnership. The eight-credit hour training focuses on safe and effective automotive shop operations, automotive electrical principles and the operation and service of electric vehicles. Graduates of the program are preferred for employment at HMGMA. Savannah Technical College offers this training at its Savannah and Liberty campuses with day and evening options. More information on the EVP TCC at Savannah Tech is available at www.savannahtech.edu/Hyundai.

Automotive Technology graduates troubleshoot complete automotive systems for diagnosis, service, and repair. Graduates are qualified for positions such as service technicians, inspectors, and maintenance and repair mechanics. According to the 2020 U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, these positions earn an average pay of $44K annually, and upwards of $70K, depending on the position within the industry. Automotive Technology associate degree graduates had a 100% placement in field for AY22. These occupational programs are open to high school students in 10-12th grade through Dual Enrollment.

Automotive Technology is offered at the Savannah and Liberty Campuses. For more information about the program, visit www.savannahtech.edu/Automotive. Summer semester begins May 28, 2024.

About HMGMA

Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) is Hyundai Motor Group’s first dedicated Electric Vehicle mass-production plant and will be located in Bryan County, GA. The new plant will boast a highly connected, automated, and flexible manufacturing system, which organically connects all elements of the EV ecosystem to realize customer value. The Georgia facility will become an intelligent manufacturing plant. All processes of production—order collection, procurement, logistics and production—will be optimized utilizing AI and data. The innovative manufacturing system will also help create a human-centered work environment with robots assisting human workers.

About Hyundai Motor Group

Hyundai Motor Group is a global enterprise that has created a value chain based on mobility, steel, and construction, as well as logistics, finance, IT, and service. With about 250,000 employees worldwide, the Group’s mobility brands include Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Armed with creative thinking, cooperative communication, and the will to take on any challenges, we strive to create a better future for all. More information about Hyundai Motor Group, please see: www.hyundaimotorgroup.com

#2438 | March 21, 2024

Savannah, GA – The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has renewed Savannah Technical College’s grant ($139,706.66) for the fourth year (FY24) to operate the Coastal Georgia Center for Driver Safety.

Grant funds will continue to provide distracted and impaired driver prevention education for youth, young adults and parents in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty counties. These activities include community- and school-based workshops, virtual reality simulation education, and social media messaging.

The Coastal Georgia Center for Driver Safety partnered with the SCCPSS, and colleges, attended resource fairs, and spent more time networking to reach more than 5,000 high school students and their parents in FY23. The Center also continued its monthly media campaign about the dangers of distracted driving and impaired driving with a focus on young adult drivers in FY23.

The top five dangers for younger drivers include distractions like cell phones and passengers; driving at night (drowsiness); speeding and street racing; not wearing seat belts; and impairments like underage drinking and drugs. The goal of the Coastal Georgia Center for Driver Safety is to bring awareness to young, young adults and parents about the dangers of distracted driving.

2437 | March 13, 2024

Coastal Georgia Center for Drive Safety: Atina Brantley
912.443.3392 or abrantley@savannahtech.edu

ATLANTA, GA. – The American Welding Society (AWS) Atlanta Section representing the state of Georgia selected Savannah Technical College Welding & Joining Department Head Jonathan Hinnant for the Howard E. Adkins Georgia Section Educator Award in 2024. He was honored in recognition of his quality of instruction and devotion to the growth of knowledge and skills of his students in the field of welding.

“It is an honor to work with and have nominated Jonathan, who goes above and beyond for his students and the welding industry,” said AWS Atlanta Section Chairman Robert Trudelle. “He promotes and encourages students’ growth in the field of welding through involvement in welding competitions, career day events with local industry, guest speakers, and continued involvement with industry leaders to improve the effectiveness of the welding program at Savannah Technical College.” Hinnant is the advisor to the AWS Savannah Student Chapter at Savannah Technical College.

He was selected for this award during the annual AWS District Conference. The Howard E. Adkins award is sponsored by Mrs. Wilma Adkins and family and is given as a means of recognizing high school, trade school, technical institute or community college instructors whose teaching activities are considered to have advanced the knowledge of welding to students in their respective schools.

Prior to being appointed department head for Welding & Joining two years ago, Hinnant was a welding instructor through the College’s economic development training program. He has two years of industry experience fabricating structures and producing weldments on different metal alloys. He was a squad leader for the U.S. Army for eight years, training more than 600 recruits with basic skills and knowledge before progressing to other military units. He also assessed training needs and evaluated training effectiveness for his platoon/team.  He is a STC graduate with a Welding & Joining diploma.

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.

#2436 | March 5, 2024