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Georgia students earn 78 medals at SkillsUSA national competition

Georgia placed third in the U.S. for the number of medals awarded at the SkillsUSA national competition. Georgia middle school, high school, and technical college students who progressed to the 2021 SkillsUSA National Conference, after winning at the state-level competition, brought home a combined total of 78 medals. TCSG students won 53 medals at the National Competition. Read more >

TCSG announces new IOS app development certificate program

TCSG recently announced a new statewide certificate program designed to provide students with cutting-edge skills to participate in Georgia’s thriving app economy by teaching students app development with Swift. Beginning in the Fall 2021 semester, the iOS App Development Certificate program will be offered at four TCSG colleges—Augusta Technical College, Chattahoochee Technical College, Gwinnett Technical College, and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. The program uses the Develop in Swift curriculum and developer tools from Apple to provide students with the skills and competencies they need to prepare for a successful career in the app economy. Read more >

TCSG Collaborating in National Science Foundation effort to transform online education through artificial intelligence

TCSG is a partner in a new National Science Foundation (NSF) Artificial Intelligence Research Institute that is focusing on transforming online education. NSF is investing $20 million in Georgia on a collaborative effort designed to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to transform learning in STEM fields. Led by the Georgia Research Alliance, the effort unites experts in computer science, AI, cognitive science, learning science, and education. Read more >

TCSG Foundation Receives $100,000 Grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation

The Coca-Cola Foundation granted the Technical College System of Georgia Foundation (TCSGF) $100,000 to support student retention throughout Georgia’s 22 technical colleges. This generous grant will provide needs-based financial assistance through TCSGF’s Last Mile Fund to students who may have otherwise discontinued their education due to financial constraints. The Coca-Cola Foundation Grant helps ensure more students remain in college to complete their program and earn a postsecondary credential. Read more >

Phoebe Putney Health System will fund scholarships of up to $30,000 for EMT students at Albany Technical College. Faculty, staff, employers, and students were on hand during an event in July where instructors discussed the EMT program and expected outcomes for graduates. The presentation included information about the EMS diploma and advanced EMT as well as opportunities at the paramedic level and the Fire and Emergency Services Occupation degree. Watch the video >

Fabersha Flynt, the Walton County Campus coordinator for Athens Technical College, has been honored as a 2021 Tillman Scholar. The Pat Tillman Foundation announced Flynt as one of 60 U.S. service members, veterans, and military spouses honored this year. “We are delighted that Fabersha has been recognized for her commitment to higher education and developing students,” said Athens Tech President Andrea Daniel. Read more >

Atlanta Technical College held its inaugural Atlanta Technical College Conference virtually on July 8 and 9. The more than 100 attendees were able to glean best practices from 12 sessions, including an opening by Dr. Victoria Seals, the College president, and closing session by Dr. Charise Breeden-Balaam, Founder & CEO of Road to the HOOD. Eighteen speakers were selected from within the college community, as well as speakers from external partners. Read more >

Augusta Technical College is excited to announce that Dr. Melissa Frank-Alston, Provost at Augusta Technical College, will be the keynote speaker on August 17 for the Chamber’s “Women in Business” program. The event will focus on ways our educational pipeline is supporting digital education and technology workforce development. Dr. Frank-Alston will share information regarding dual enrollment programs, which encourage high school students to start their computer science training early, as well as discuss the technical college's role in placing students into the industry post education. Read more >

Central Georgia Technical College has earned a Military Times Best for Vets distinction as the No. 6 ranked Career & Technical School and No. 12 ranked Two Year School in the publication’s annual ranking. Read more >

The Chattahoochee Tech Foundation raised nearly $20,000 at its inaugural “Walk Through Woodstock” 0.4K held Saturday morning, June 12. “We’re thrilled with the success of this event,” said Chattahoochee Tech Vice President of Advancement, Jennifer Nelson. “With the community’s support, we were able to raise vital funds that will be used to help students finish college and enter the workforce.” Read more >

Recently, David Campbell (pictured right), a welding student from Coastal Pines Technical College won a virtual welding competition hosted by Weld.com. David is a second semester student who is taught by instructor Shane Dowling (pictured left). As the winner, David will be flown to Largo, Florida to tour the Weld.com headquarters and will be awarded an Everlast welding machine, welding gloves, a Bohler welding helmet, a Metabo grinder, and several other prizes.

Columbus Technical College Student Services Coordinator, Tamara Hicks recently met with Columbus CEO to discuss leading students from the classroom to the workforce at Columbus Tech. She also provided information on enrollment and program options offered for our military connected students. Learn more >

Twenty-four offenders at the Floyd County Prison have completed training provided by Georgia Northwestern Technical College and TCSG and are now certified in Shielded Metal Arc and Flux Core Welding. A special commencement ceremony was hosted by Floyd County Prison Warden Mike Long and Georgia Northwestern at the prison in June to recognize the second cohort of offenders who have become certified in the two welding processes needed for an entry-level welding position. Read more >

On July 22, Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) hosted a Regional Job Fair with partners from Newton and Walton counties. More than 160 attendees, 55 employers representing several industries, and representatives from GPTC were on hand. Many folks were hired ON THE SPOT! Read more >

On June 7, Gwinnett Technical College hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Computer Information Systems, Cybersecurity, and Emerging Technologies Building, and Building 100 Renovation! Governor Brian Kemp, TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier, Gwinnett Tech President Dr. Cannon, and Criminal Justice student Chevonne Vincent provided remarks at the groundbreaking. The new building will have more than 82,000 square feet of space, 29 classrooms, dedicated labs including an eSports lab, a networking lab with a dedicated data center, and a cybersecurity “war room.”

Lanier Technical College’s James A. Walters Allied Health Building served as the official Registry Testing Facility for 19 paramedicine students. Seventeen Lanier Tech students tested alongside two other students that came from outside agencies. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, many of Lanier Tech’s paramedicine students were awaiting the opportunity to test for their Paramedic Licenses. This event was the first National Paramedicine Registry Exam in the State of Georgia since the COVID-19 outbreak. Simulation Center Staff, Facilities, EMS, and Campus Security all worked together to make the seven-hour event a successful one. All 19 paramedicine students successfully passed their exams and are now on their way to a promising career.

North Georgia Technical College (NGTC) celebrates the many accomplishments of the current health science students. The Associate of Science Degree students recently achieved a 96.1 percent pass rate of the NCLEX exam administered this past spring semester. Another outstanding recognition for NGTC included the designation as the number one Medical Assistant Program in the state of Georgia by the online resource Medical Assistant Advice for the third consecutive year. Finally, NGTC Practical Nursing, Medical Assisting, and Associate of Science in Nursing students and their family, friends, and instructors celebrated during the pinning ceremonies held on the Blairsville, Currahee, and Clarkesville campuses in late July. Pictured above are the Blairsville Practical Nursing students of instructor Sharon McFarland.

Growing up with a parent diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, Oconee Fall Line Technical College nursing student Sarah Chandler was familiar with hospitals and nurses. But as she grew older, she recognized the impact a nurse had on a patient and their family. It was evident that “nursing was where my heart was,” Chandler said. Read more >

The Division of Economic Development at Ogeechee Technical College recently graduated 17 students in its first Manufacture Ready cohort in Screven County. Manufacture Ready is a three-week program geared toward graduating high school seniors who have little to no manufacturing experience and want to enter the high-demand and exciting field of manufacturing. Students who graduate from the program are guaranteed a job interview with a major local manufacturer. Read more >

A new scholarship for EMS and Paramedicine students has been established in Dr. Irving Victor’s memory at Savannah Technical College. Upon the passing of Dr. Victor in 2020, his longtime colleague and founder of the College’s EMS program, Dock Donaldson, set out to establish a scholarship to honor his legacy. “I’ve been working in this field for more than 40 years, and it wasn’t uncommon for Dr. Victor to personally attend to accident victims early on. He understood that a quick response often meant life or death for patients,” said Donaldson, Central Training Center Coordinator for the American Heart Association. “Dr. Victor was instrumental in establishing one of the nation’s first EMS systems in the country, right here in Chatham County.” Read more >

Three students from South Georgia Technical College ranked nationally in the 2021 virtual SkillsUSA National Competition. Tison Smith of Leesburg and Patrick Hortman of Ellaville captured the bronze medal in the national Additive Manufacturing competition and Jonathan Camp of Senoia was one of nine finalists in the Aviation Maintenance Technology event. Read more >

Ryan Clemente began taking classes at Southeastern Technical College (STC) in 2019 while still a student at Tattnall County High School. He completed the Basic Shielded Metal Arc Welder (STICK) Certificate and continued his education by taking more classes at STC after his high school graduation. Welding instructor Michael Crumpler said, “Ryan had a great attitude and work ethic. He was determined to do well and get into the Boilermaker Union. After completing his last class at STC, he went to the Local 26 Boilermakers Union in Statesboro for additional practice to further enhance his skills and, six weeks later, he was hired by Vulcan Industrial Contractors at Plant Bowen near Cartersville.”

Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) Electrical Systems Technology student Dallin Reeve was recently awarded a gold medal in Customer Service at the national SkillsUSA Competition. This competition allowed state gold medalists to compete with other winners from across the nation. SCTC President Dr. Alvetta Thomas stated, “We are so very proud of Dallin and his gold medal from the national SkillsUSA competition. His success is truly a testament to the great education and leadership opportunities that are being provided here at Southern Crescent Technical College. I congratulate him on behalf of the entire campus community and am honored to be able to celebrate his successes with him.” Read more >

Recently, Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) held a Commencement ceremony in honor of more than 800 graduates who completed their programs during the spring and summer semesters of 2021. Over 200 students participated during the commencement ceremony, which was held at SRTC Bainbridge. Read more >

Newnan resident Rosanna Bowles, a Clinical Laboratory Technology student at West Georgia Technical College, has been awarded a national scholarship from the American Society of Clinical Pathology. In a continuing effort to encourage young people in the laboratory profession, the ASCP offers scholarships to outstanding students enrolled in an accredited laboratory science program in their final clinical year of education. Read more >

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Interim President DeAnnia Clements is proud to share that the college’s Practical Nursing (LPN) Program has been ranked number seven in the state according to the Practical Nursing.org website. The website shared that licensed practical nurses are in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the career field is projected to increase by 9% by 2029. Their website is designed to help those interested in the field choose the best Practical Nursing program in the state. Read more >

Georgia Northwestern Technical College held a special Drive-Thru Commencement Ceremony in May to safely celebrate our 2021 spring graduates. Congratulations to all of our graduates! Watch the Video >