Nine Students are Finalists for the TCSG Student of the Year
Atlanta – The Technical College System of Georgia has named nine finalists for its 2011 Student of the Year award.
The award is part of the system’s annual Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) program, which recognizes the best student at each of the state’s 26 technical colleges and one Board of Regents college with a technical division.
The winner will be announced during a dinner at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Atlanta on May 26.
“There were more than 191,000 students who enrolled in the Technical College System of Georgia last year, so it’s quite a remarkable accomplishment to be named a finalist for the Student of the Year award,” said TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson. “These students excel in the classroom and are great role models in their communities, and each worked very hard to earn their place as one of our finalists.”
The nine finalists are:
Beth Crowley, Athens Technical College
Rachel Young, Atlanta Technical College
Trecia Sutton, Columbus Technical College
Sharon Shelton, Gwinnett Technical College
Lydia Mann, Moultrie Technical College
Alvie Coes III, Ogeechee Technical College
Jonathan Baker, Savannah Technical College
Michelle Reed, Southern Crescent Technical College
Dale Bowers, West Georgia Technical College
Judging for the award starts at each college and continues on to the regional level. At the state level, the nine finalists are interviewed by a panel of judges representing business, industry and higher education in Georgia. At each step, the students are rated on their academic accomplishments, leadership qualities, involvement in their local communities, and future aspirations.
The competition for the award is intense, for not only is the winner named Georgia’s technical college student of the year and ambassador for technical education, the state winner also gets the keys to a brand-new Chevrolet Cruze, presented by Chevrolet and the local Chevrolet dealers, long-time sponsors of the GOAL program.
About the TCSG: The Technical College System of Georgia oversees 26 technical colleges throughout the state. Affordable access to quality technical education programs that lead to in-demand jobs is a big reason why enrollment at the TCSG colleges is up by almost one-third over last two years.
TCSG colleges offer small classes, hands-on experience and focused instructor attention in more than 600 programs, including healthcare, manufacturing technologies, aerospace, agribusiness, life sciences, and energy and the environment.
In addition, the TCSG oversees the state’s adult education and GED programs. The system also manages Quick Start, an economic development incentive for attracting new investment to the state and promoting job creation.
# # #
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.