Savannah Technical College Alumnus Dr. Kabore selected as 2016 STC commencement speaker

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College alumnus Dr. Ahmed Kabore will deliver the commencement address at Savannah Technical College’s 2016 graduation at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 16, in the Johnny Mercer Theatre at the Savannah Civic Center.

Savannah Tech has awarded nearly 500 degrees and diplomas for students that completed coursework from fall 2015 through spring 2016. Also, more than 350 GED diplomas have been earned during that time. Savannah Tech expects about 300 degree, diploma and GED recipients to participate in graduation.

Kabore lost his mother to malaria in 2001. That tragic experience motivated him to make a positive difference in the lives of others. A native of Burkina Faso, West Africa, Kabore moved to the United States in 2005 and enrolled in Savannah Technical College’s ESL program.

After distinguishing himself as an exceptional student at Savannah Tech his first semester, he earned a number of scholarships and completed an associate degree in surgical technology in 2008. He went on to complete a bachelor’s degree in health education, a master’s degree in public health and a doctorate of public health with a concentration in community health behavior and education from Georgia Southern University.

Kabore has fond memories of his years at Savannah Technical College remembering, “Everyone at Savannah Tech was extremely supportive. They encouraged me to take my skill further. When I first came to Savannah Tech, I never imagined I would be in a doctoral program one day.” He credits the College with giving him the tools for success and for providing critical scholarship support when he needed it most. “Savannah Tech is where everything started for me,” he says proudly. “Savannah Tech made it possible for me to fulfill my dream.”

The dream continues for Kabore, who recently accepted a position with the new government in Burkina Faso to build a public health system for the country.

#1641 | May 23, 2016

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.