A CHANGE OF HEART
The events of September 11, 2001 changed the life of college student Taronza Craig in a dramatic way. She had been pursuing an education in the field of Accounting when she heard the news of the terrorist attacks.
My first thought was, “I wish I was in some kind of health related field so I could go and help the victims. It was then that I realized I wanted to do more to help others.” This revelation caused Craig to reconsider her choice of study. She decided on the field of Respiratory Therapy and enrolled at Heart of Georgia Technical College.
Since arriving at HGTC, Craig has excelled in her courses. She maintains a 3.7 GPA for which she has worked hard. “The courses are hard, but I feel very qualified and equipped for my clinical studies.” Natalie Smith, Respiratory Therapy Instructor, says, “Taronza is an ideal student. She is always up to the challenge of learning new concepts and will make an excellent respiratory therapist. She is enthusiastic about her classes and about helping her patients improve their quality of life.”
While at HGTC, Craig has been accepted as a member of Lambda Beta Honor Society. She received the Leadership Dublin-Laurens scholarship, and has hopes of receiving others.
Community involvement is a priority in the Respiratory Therapy Department. The program raised the most money for an organization for the March of Dimes and participates each year in the Cystic Fibrosis Golf Tournament. Students recently raised funds for the American Heart Association and worked with the Dodge County Health Fair. “This place has made me want to do more for the community,” says Craig.
In addition to being prepared in her education, Craig feels she has chosen a field that has a good job market. “I absolutely love the Respiratory Therapy Program. The teachers are wonderful. When I go to my clinical classes, I feel like I can keep up with the tasks at hand. The teachers here are so helpful and the resources are available to help students succeed. I look forward to coming to school each day.”
Quality Public Service Makes a Difference
Public Service jobs are growing in number and popularity. Heart of Georgia Technical College offers two Associate degrees, two diplomas, and nine technical certificates of credit to help students get on their way to a career in public service. Public Service fields include Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Care and Education, Culinary Arts, and Environmental Horticulture. Studies vary in time required to complete and skills and qualifications.
One degree program is Associate of Applied Technology in Criminal Justice Technology Degree. This course of study focuses on the criminal justice system’s role within society. Local, state, and federal law enforcement, along with judicial processes, corrections, and security services are considered.
The second degree program is Associate of Applied Technology in Early Childhood Care and Education Degree. This field offers courses in Humanities, Child Development and internship experiences designed to prepare the student for a position as a Paraprofessional in the Georgia Public School System, or as a Director of a licensed child care facility.
The two diploma programs are offered in Criminal Justice and Early Childhood Care, qualifying graduates for positions in their field of study.
Technical certificates of credit include Correctional Officer Specialist and Criminal Justice Technician in the Criminal Justice Department. Early Childhood offers certificates in Infant and Toddler Child Care Specialist, Early Childhood Paraprofessional Specialization, Early Childhood Program Administration, and Family Child Care Provider.
Certificates may also be earned in Culinary Nutrition Manager and Culinary Nutrition Assistant. These two certificates are offered to employees of public school food service.
An Environmental Horticulture Technician Certificate provides entry-level skills for employment as a horticulture technician. HGTC has plans to build a new 28’ by 60’ greenhouse for teaching purposes.
The broad study of public service continues to be a popular area because of the demand by employers.
For information on Public Service Programs offered at Heart of Georgia Technical College, contact Paula McGowan at 478-274-7774 or pmcgowan@heartofgatech.edu.
Congratulations to Darius Dennard, Kelli Moore, and Garion Newson of Dodge County High School! These three students started college early and completed Technical Certificates of Credit (TCC) from Heart of Georgia Technical College while still in high school. Both Kelli Moore and Garion Newson completed Certified Customer Service Specialist while Darius Dennard completed A+ Certification. Recently, twenty-two seniors graduated from Dodge County High School with TCCs from HGTC.
Heart of Georgia Technical College provides access to college classes to qualified students in our six county service area. High school students can earn HGTC credit while still in school. The Heart of Georgia Tech Prep Consortium includes Heart of Georgia Technical College, Georgia Aviation Technical College, Middle Georgia College, and serves the school systems of Bleckley, Dodge, Dublin, Laurens, Telfair, Wheeler, and Wilkinson.
Pictured (l-r): Garion Newson, Kelli Moore, Darius Dennard
HGTC Instructor Chosen to Make State Award Decorations
David Hall, Machine Tool Instructor for Heart of Georgia Technical College, was chosen to create and manufacture decorations for the state meeting of the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership dinner which was held in Atlanta in May. The dinner, held to honor GOAL recipients from all of Georgia’s technical colleges is an annual event. The statewide winner of the program is announced during the dinner and receives a number of prizes including a new car provided by Chevrolet.
The GOAL award recognizes outstanding students attending Georgia’s technical colleges. Applicants are chosen based on academic excellence and personal achievement. Students must recognize technical education’s critical impact on Georgia’s overall economy, have a strong work ethic and dedicated sense of loyalty.
From this group of students, a panel of judges selects one student to represent the state of Georgia as GOAL winner and to serve as the statewide Student of the Year and ambassador of technical education in Georgia. The state winner makes many public appearances throughout the year, including addresses to the Georgia General Assembly and the Governor.
Kimberly Wilson, 2005 GOAL winner, is a graduate of West Laurens High School.
Hall was chosen for the decorations after providing a gift for each of the individual college winners for the 2005 dinner. The gift was a car tag with the GOAL logo. Beth Neal, State GOAL Director, took note of the gifts Hall had made in the machine shop at HGTC and asked him to provide the decorations for the state event in 2006.
Hall created the decorations using a program called Master CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing). Nineteen programs were used to create the one hundred decorations Hall produced from sheet metal.
The Machine Tool program has also made other items. The department created a metal emblem for the entrance of Dodge County High School of the school mascot. They also made the floor plates in the Porter Center that are used to cover electrical and networking outlets.
Pictured are some of the attendees of the 2006 GOAL Dinner (l-r): Beth Crumpton, HGTC executive vice president; David Hall, HGTC machine tool program chair (holding table decoration); Donna Davis, HGTC 2006 GOAL winner; and Gene Hopkins, HGTC accounting instructor and nominating instructor.
Wade Chosen for Regional Fatherhood Director Position
The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) has selected Earnest Wade to serve as Regional Director for the Fatherhood Program. Wade has worked with students for over forty years in different capacities.
Most recently, Wade has worked with the Fatherhood Program through the Heart of Georgia Technical College. The statewide program is one of its kind in the nation and is being used as a model for possible programs in other states.
The program originated with the Child Support Enforcement section of the Georgia Department of Human Resources along with the Georgia DTAE. The program targets low-income, non-custodial parents who are court ordered to pay child support. The service seeks to help parents who desire to support their children, but lack the financial means to do so. The successful graduate will be equipped to contribute to the economic well being of their children,
“We pool the resources available to help the parent take responsibility for their actions,” says Wade. His new position takes him to several other towns including Macon and Warner Robins. He oversees the coordinators of the Fatherhood Program at the technical colleges to ensure they have available all the resources they need to help parents succeed.
The program provides workshops, education, training, and job placement assistance. These services equip participants to contribute to the economic welfare of their children by teaching skills that will lead them to employment that pays significantly above minimum wage. This training seeks to improve basic communication and interpersonal skills, provide strategies and techniques for taking control of one’s life, and instill a sense of responsibility and accountability for one’s actions.
“We want to help parents get out of a survival mode by providing them the means to earn enough money to meet their obligations,” says Wade. In his new position, Wade will have the opportunity to help Fatherhood Program coordinators at technical colleges develop and implement a plan of action for helping students meet their obligations.
Over 200 parents have graduated from the program at HGTC. CSE costs have been reduced along with the burden placed on the public sector to support and provide financial assistance to the program’s participants and their families.
Career Center Puts Students on Right Path
Heart of Technical College Counseling and Placement Center offers answers to questions many students have regarding their career choices. The Center provides career, educational and personal development opportunities through a variety of services.
Career Planning services and resources include testing through a program called Career Scope that evaluates a student’s interests and aptitudes. The test meshes the two and makes recommendations of specific jobs suited to the student. “We use this test with students that are unsure what field of study they are interested in,” says Cecile Miller, Director of the Center.
The Center takes a proactive approach in dealing with students that are undecided in their course of study. Once interests and aptitude are determined, the results are reviewed on an individual basis. Counseling services involve discussing curriculum choices and explaining course descriptions to help the student find the best educational fit for their needs.
The Center also involves the instructors by encouraging them to refer students that are struggling with class attendance so the students’ academic choices can be reviewed to make sure they are in the best course of study.
In addition to academic and attendance counseling, financial, personal and substance abuse counseling is offered. Information in the form of pamphlets, films and other resources are available to provide information and assistance.
Department of Labor resources are used to help students find a suitable career. The DOL posts the required education and other information including job salary, physical demands, and increase or decrease in demand for the position. This information assists students in making an educated decision about their career choice.
Career placement is another service offered. Resume’ preparation help is available and mock interviews are held to help prepare the job applicant. Referrals are made through the center for businesses seeking qualified applicants. Employers and students are matched together and resumes’ of qualified students are forwarded to the employer. Surveys are conducted with employers and graduates to evaluate any need for improvement.
“We’re here to help the students. We want to do what we can to help each student succeed,” says Miller.
Heart of Georgia Technical College New Connections to Work Program and the Student Government Association recently held a bone density screening for all HGTC students, faculty, and staff. The screening and counseling was provided by representatives of the South Central Health District.
Heart of Georgia Technical College was delighted to host thirty 8th grade students from Wilkinson County Middle School on the morning of June 2, 2006. The group is part of a summer program sponsored by the Stay in School Grant. This grant is a partnership between Heart of Georgia Technical College and the Wilkinson County School System with many other community partners. The students were able to participate in hands on demonstrations in the Machine Tool Technology program and Auto Cad program. Each student also went through a career interest inventory called Career Scope hosted by the Career Center at Heart of Georgia Technical College.
HGTC Alumni Association selects Johnson as 2006 Outstanding Alumna
The Heart of Georgia Technical College (HGTC) Alumni Association held its Annual Meeting Monday, June 5.
Sherry Kowtko, alumni association president, announced that Pauline Johnson of Eastman is the 2006 Alumnus of the Year. Johnson is a 2006 graduate of the marketing and management program. She was nominated by Belinda Gilbert, who was an instructor for Johnson.
Johnson is an excellent example of how a technical education can change your life. She went from a $50,000 a year job at Brown & Williamson in Macon to bankruptcy, all because the plant closed. In order to help herself and her family, Johnson with encouragement from her husband, began baking out of her home—to earn a “little extra money.” The idea and pocket change, has evolved into a bakery located in downtown Eastman, Hummingbird Bakery.
Johnson enrolled at HGTC to learn how to start her own business and market the business. While a student at Heart of Georgia Tech, Johnson received a TOOLS award (Tools for Outstanding Occupational Leadership Students) given by the HGTC Foundation to help students begin their career. Johnson’s TOOLS award helped her begin Hummingbird Bakery.
There were 10 alumni nominated for the award. Others nominated were Crystal Eady of Eastman, Ragan Green of Dublin, Louis “Redd” Landrum of East Dublin, Penny Mackey of Dublin, Barbara Martin of Dublin, Jackie Morris of Dublin, Berkley Roundtree of Dublin, Latrice Sellers of Dublin, and Katrina Wicker of Cadwell.
Each alumni nominated has proven to be exceptional in the community and work place. Nominees exhibit a positive attitude, have outstanding character, and have excellent work habits.
The guest speaker for the dinner was HGTC 2006 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner, Donna Davis.
For more information on the Alumni Association or to become involved, contact Patti Davis at 478-274-7627 or pdavis@heartofgatech.edu or visit the HGTC website at www.heartofgatech.edu.
Dr. Randall Peters, president, Heart of Georgia Technical College, is shown presenting an appreciation plaque to Richard Jones, who served two years as chairman of the HGTC Board of Directors. Mr. Jones, who represents Dodge County, will continue to serve on the board.
New officers for the upcoming year were named at the June meeting of the Heart of Georgia Technical College Board of Directors. Richard Jones, out-going board chair, announced Shellie Stroman as the new in-coming chair of the HGTC Board of Directors. Susan Coffee was named vice-chair. Mr. Jones and Mrs. Coffee represent Dodge County. Mr. Stroman represents Laurens County. HGTC serves the counties of Bleckley, Dodge, Laurens, Telfair, Wheeler, and Wilkinson. Pictured (l-r): Richard Jones, Shellie Stroman, and Susan Coffee.
Heart of Georgia Technical College recently held a pinning ceremony and picnic, held at the Little Ocmulgee State Park, honoring the 2006 Radiologic Technology class. Pictured (l-r) are the following graduating seniors: Patti Kight of Laurens County, Nichole Fountain of Baldwin County, Mike Burns of Toombs County, Jessica Gorrell of Laurens County, Teresa Hooks of Laurens County, Jason Lyles of Laurens County, Erica Hardeman of Montgomery County, Tonya Powell of Johnson County, Kim Smith of Jeff Davis County, and Ben Shepard of Laurens County. Not pictured: Jean Hinson of Laurens County.
The following individuals received awards at the Heart of Georgia Technical College Pinning Ceremony honoring the 2006 Radiologic Technology graduating seniors.
Jason Lyles of Laurens County was awarded the 2006 Radiologic Technology Student of the Year. He was voted for by the five (5) clinical sites. Jason has excelled in the clinical field throughout the program. His skills, personality and work ethics were recognized by the technologists working at the facilities where he rotated for his clinical experiences.
Tammy Ford, RT (R) was recognized as the Radiologic Technologist of the Year. The senior students voted for Ms. Ford for this honor. The technologists share their knowledge with the students at the various sites. Ms. Ford, who is on staff at Fairview Park Hospital, was recognized for her terrific ability to teach the students practical hands-on positioning techniques and patient care.
Brian McDonald, RT (R) was recognized as the 2006 Radiologic Technology Clinical Instructor of the Year. The senior students voted for Mr. McDonald for this honor. The clinical instructors voluntarily accept the position to work with the students. Mr. McDonald supervised and advised the students rotating through the Veterans Administration Medical Center Radiology Department and has proven himself to be a valuable asset to the program.
Heart of Georgia Technical College GED Graduation was held June 15, 2006. The following awards were presented to those who made the highest score on the GED exam:
Donald Wayne Hicks, Laurens County: Louise T. Pope Award sponsored by the Dublin-Laurens Communities in Schools, Inc. Mr. Hicks was also awarded the Scholastic Excellence Award sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for the highest overall score.
Connie Lyn Brown, Bleckley County: Annie L. Cooper Award sponsored by the Bleckley County Adult Literacy Advisory Committee.
Jena Wade Upshaw, Dodge County: Sarah I. Bullock Award sponsored by the Eastman FUMC – 40 Day Study Group.
Susan Brock, Telfair County: Robert F. Jackson Award sponsored by Graham Farms Insurance.
Donnie Smith, Jr., Wilkinson County: Oscar McWhorter Award sponsored by Oconee EMC.
