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.

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