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Heart of Georgia Technical College announces six students have been chosen for the co-op rotation offered at the Carl Vinson Veterans Affairs Medical Center for spring and summer quarters 2009.  The students, who are enrolled in the Medical Office Specialist Program and Medical Administrative Assistant Specialization Program, were chosen through a competitive process based on interview skills, essay content and GPA.  This opportunity offers experience for the students and gives them an opportunity to earn a good work record and references.  Pictured (l-r) are the participating students:  Michelle Hines (Dodge); Pamela Knight (Laurens); Josephine Guyton (Laurens); Joanne Hightower (Johnson); Tonya Parish (Dodge); and Ashley Brue (Telfair).

The Heart of Georgia Technical College Board of Directors enjoyed an informative tour of the Pharmacy Technology Program.  HGTC instructor, Jack Shepard, is pictured speaking to the group while students demonstrate hands-on learning in the lab.

The Heart of Georgia Technical College Work Ready Initiative had a big presence in Bleckley County on February 17.   The new trailer wrap promoting the Work Ready Region was on display at Bleckley County High School.  Pictured are:  Bleckley County High School seniors; Kathryn Fisher, Bleckley County Chamber of Commerce; Bob Dixon, Work Ready Project Manager – Heart of Georgia Region; Bill Rowe, Bleckley County Superintendent; Jimmy Jones, CTAE teacher; and Andy Williams, Bleckley County High School Counselor.   The truck was driven to Bleckley County by instructors and students of the Heart of Georgia Tech Commercial Truck Driving Program.

Lee Allen, from Dr. Tracy Gay’s and Dr. John Whittle’s office, and her daughters, Brooke and Brianna, visited the Heart of Georgia Technical College Pre-K on February 16 to discuss dental health.  The visitors read a book, and each child got to dress up as a dentist and practice brushing and flossing teeth, as well as looking at x-rays.  Each child received a dental hygiene goodie bag.

The Heart of Georgia Advanced Manufacturing Work Ready Region is providing computer training to local industry employees through the Heart of Georgia Technical College Community Education Division.  The class consists of two 4 hour sessions on consecutive Fridays.  Pictured is group of employees from Flexsteel, Inc. with instructor Mary Lu Thomas and Work Ready Assessment Proctor Wanda Garrett.

37 Adult Learners Honored with Annual EAGLE Award

Atlanta – The Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) Office of Adult Education recognized 37 of Georgia’s adult learners during the annual Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) award luncheon held Friday, February 13, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta.

Now in its 16th year, the EAGLE award honors adult learners for their outstanding participation and exceptional achievement in their local adult education programs. 

Miranda Mosley, a student in the Wilkinson County GED class, represented Heart of Georgia Technical College.  She was nominated by her instructor Angie Jones.    Miranda’s leadership qualities and dedication to adult education made her a good representative of the Adult Education Program.

The 37 EAGLE winners were nominated by their adult education instructors from among the more than 90,000 adult learners in Georgia. Each student demonstrated exceptional perseverance and hard work to obtain a GED as well as a positive attitude, superb classroom attendance and excellent leadership skills.

This year’s winners were presented their EAGLE award by Ron Jackson, the commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia. Jackson reminded the winners that their recognition comes with the important responsibility of being an ambassador for Georgia’s adult education and GED programs. 

“Georgia’s EAGLE winners are real-life success stories of how adult learning can transform lives, improve job prospects and create brighter futures for them and their families,” said Jackson. “We congratulate our EAGLE winners on their achievement and ask for their help as influential role models for the 1.3 million adult Georgians who still do not possess a high school diploma.” 

90,567 men and women enrolled in Georgia’s adult education programs during 2008.  There were 19,696 GED diplomas awarded last year.

Pictured:    Miranda Moseley and instructor, Angie Jones.

Library Opens at HGTC Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center

Mayor June Bradfield is pictured signing a proclamation in honor of Heart of Georgia Technical College’s  25th Anniversary.   The College is celebrating 25 years of “Putting Knowledge to Work.”  Pictured with Mayor Bradfield (seated) are (l-r):    Dr. Randall Peters, HGTC president; Dr. Howard Abney, HGTC dean of Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center; Marion Clark, advisory member, Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center; Jeanette Ban, advisory member, Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center; Herman Moore, advisory member, Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center;  and Debbie Bullard, advisory member, Little Ocmulgee Instructional Center. 

            Upcoming GOAL Program Underway at HGTC

            The Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) Program, sponsored statewide by the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education is in progress at Heart of Georgia Technical College.   The program will be coordinated locally by Janet Smith. 

            According to Smith, the GOAL program is the first statewide program in the nation to honor excellence among technical students at the post-secondary level.  “The GOAL Program seeks to spotlight the role of technical education in our modern economy and to emphasize the dignity of work,” said Smith.

            Mrs. Smith will work in cooperation with officials of the Dublin Rotary Club, Dublin/Laurens County Chamber of Commerce, the HGTC Foundation, Bank of America, and the HGTC Student Council, the local sponsoring organizations, to choose a student from Heart of Georgia Technical College to represent the college in the state GOAL competition in Atlanta during GOAL Week, which will be held in May.

            A screening committee, which is comprised of staff from Heart of Georgia Technical College,   will interview the students for the GOAL competition and will name the top four finalists on the local level.  Slated to serve on the five-member committee are:   Rick Swanson, Wanda Coticchio, Lisa Kelly, Donna Harmon and Tony White.   Dublin Rotary Club members will serve on the selection committee to narrow the field and choose a winner.

            The objective of the GOAL program, according to Smith, is to recognize and reward excellence among the more than 142,000 students studying full-time at Georgia’s technical colleges.  The college winner will compete with students from other technical colleges in Georgia for the 2009 state GOAL medallion.  A new car will be awarded to the state GOAL winner.  “Since the grand prize in the state contest is a new car, there is tremendous competition among the colleges,” said Smith.  “We make every effort to select our most outstanding student because we want to bring home the state winner.”  Pictured: GOAL nominees for 2009 (Front Row, l-r):  Shelanda Cray (Laurens), Epiphany Walls (Laurens),  Elaine Norsworthy (Laurens).   (Second Row, l-r):  Ja’Quay Jones (Laurens),  Mandy Wood (Laurens),  Chantel Allison (Laurens),  James D. Cliett (Telfair),  (Third row, l-r):  Eric Johnson (Laurens),  Maurice Johnson (Wheeler),  Tommy Burns (Dodge).  Not pictured:  Pamela Knight (Laurens).

Eastman City Manager, Bea Edge, is pictured signing a proclamation in honor of Heart of Georgia Technical College’s 25th Anniversary.   The College is celebrating 25 years of “Putting Knowledge to Work.”  Pictured with Ms. Edge are (l-r):   Richard Jones, HGTC board of directors and Dr. Randall Peters, HGTC president.

Mayor Burns, of Irwinton, is pictured signing a proclamation in honor of Heart of Georgia Technical College’s 25th Anniversary.   The College is celebrating 25 years of “Putting Knowledge to Work.”  Pictured with Mayor Burns are (l-r):   Ms. Alice Todd, HGTC board of trustees; Frank Wall, HGTC board of trustees; and Dr. Randall Peters, HGTC president.

Mayor Gene Towns, of Cochran, is pictured signing a proclamation in honor of Heart of Georgia Technical College’s 25th Anniversary.   The College is celebrating 25 years of “Putting Knowledge to Work.”  Pictured with Mayor Towns are (l-r):   Jim Rhodes, HGTC board of directors and Dr. Randall Peters, HGTC president.

Judge Helen Harper is pictured “Swearing In” Ms. Frenchy Hodges and Reverend Wayne McDaniel as new members of the Heart of Georgia Technical College Board of Directors.  Ms. Hodges and Rev. McDaniel will be representing Laurens County on the board.  HGTC serves Bleckley, Dodge, Laurens, Telfair, Wheeler, and Wilkinson counties. 

TRACS Center available at HGTC    

     Heart of Georgia Technical College offers students a one-stop shop for testing, tutorial resources and career counseling.

     The Tutoring Referral Assessment Career Services (TRACS) center is available to students, prospective students and even working community professionals. TRACS was recently established as an umbrella program to combine several resources that were already available on campus in one more accessible location.

     Located in the W.R. Stewart Building, the TRACS center provides free tutoring for HGTC students in the tutoring lab which has 14 computers available for supplemental instruction and private and group study/tutor areas.

There are two testing rooms, and according to Cecile Miller, director of career services, the new location in the Stewart Building makes the center’s resources more visible on campus.  Online tutoring links and software are also available, and tutoring is conducted with adjunct faculty tutors.   “The majority of our tutors are adjunct faculty or people from the community who are knowledgeable in the area they tutor,” said Miller.  One-on-one or group tutoring services are available in subjects including mathematics, anatomy and physiology, medical technology, physics, English, accounting, and introduction to computers.   Tutoring is available all day between 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. “We have tried to have our day covered so that there is a tutor for these particular subjects.”

“If anyone comes to us and needs help in a particular subject we will try to accommodate that need,” said Miller.

     Walk-ins and self-referrals are welcome, as well as instructor referrals.

In addition to tutoring and study resources, the assessment portion of the TRACS center is available for computer-based third-party assessments which are open to anyone in the community.   Working professionals seeking to update their licensing or credentials may register online to take exams at the TRACS center, eliminating the need to travel to out of town testing sites in other counties.

“This is really for the community,” said Miller of the assessment capability. “We are an ACT Professional Center, and the only one between Macon and Savannah.  We also offer Information Technology assessments for PearsonVUE.”

     Career counseling is also available for any potential student, current students or recent graduates who are considering a career change or are unsure of the program of study to pursue.  Career interest and aptitude assessments are available and are offered free of charge.  These can be scheduled by calling and setting up an appointment.  

     Beginning in January, a new learning system was implemented for remediation work and assistance for applicants preparing to take the entrance assessment. “It will help us identify current students’ weaknesses which will allow us to set up additional instruction for them as well as identify areas potential students should brush up on before taking the entrance assessment.”

Additionally, TRACS offers resume assistance, mock interview sessions, and a series of workshops.

     “All of this is helping them [students] to be successful in the classroom and to prepare them to actually go into the workforce.”

 “I think they feel this is a welcoming environment,” said Miller of students’ response to the center so far. “They keep coming back.”  

        For more information on HGTC’s TRACS center, visit wwwheartofgatech.edu or call 478-274-7643.

Pictured:  Mrs. Miller and Kristin Warren, a student in the Practical Nursing Program.

Mayor Debbie Fountain, of Alamo, is pictured signing a proclamation in honor of Heart of Georgia Technical College’s 25th Anniversary.   The College is celebrating 25 years of “Putting Knowledge to Work.”  Pictured with Mayor Fountain are (l-r):   Arnold Horton, HGTC board of trustees; Janice Irvin, HGTC board of trustees; Sandra McNeal, HGTC board of directors; and Dr. Randall Peters, HGTC president.

GED High Score Awards

The Heart of Georgia Technical College Adult Education Program held GED graduation January 27, 2009.  Awards for the highest scores on the GED exam were presented.

Annelle Mills was named the recipient of the Louise T. Pope Award for earning the highest score on the GED exam in Laurens County. The award was sponsored by Dublin-Laurens Communities in Schools, Inc.   Ms. Mills  also received the Scholastic Excellence Award, which was sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, for earning the highest overall score on the GED exam.  Mrs. Jacqueline Copenny presented the award on behalf of the Sorority.

Chelsie Little received the Annie L. Cooper Award for earning the highest score on the GED exam in Bleckley County.  The award was sponsored by Curtis’ Place located in Dublin.

Aaron Curry was named the recipient of the Sarah I. Bullock Award for earning the highest score on the GED exam in Dodge County.  The award was sponsored by the Dodge County Certified Literate Community Program. 

Savannah Sacks was the recipient of the Robert F. Jackson Award for earning the highest score on the GED exam in Telfair County.  The award was sponsored by Graham Farm Insurance.

Ashley Lumley received the Perry Doak Award for earning the highest school on the GED exam in Wheeler County.  The award was sponsored by Little Ocmulgee EMC.

Timothy Dykes was the recipient of the Oscar McWhorter Award for earning the highest score on the GED exam in Wilkinson County.  The award was sponsored by Oconee EMC, and was presented by Dennis Holder, chair, Wilkinson County Board of Commissioners.