access FOR THE ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF ALBANY TECHNICAL COLLEGE FALL 2015
magazine
Pharmacy Technology Dual Enrollment Graduate, Ayana Harpe, Gets Jumpstart at ATC Albany High Graduate credits Albany Tech with her academic start
ALBANY TECHNICAL COLLEGE SENIOR ADMINISTRATION Anthony O. Parker, Ph.D. President
Tanjula Petty, Ed.D.
Kim Lee, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President/Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Linda Coston
Vice President of Adult Education
Kathy Skates
Vice President of Administration
Joe Najjar
Lisandra DeJesus, Ed.D.
Special Assistant to the President
Matt Trice
Executive Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Vice President of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management
Vice President of Center for Business Solutions
Wendy Howell
Judy Jimmerson
Associate Vice President of Career Services
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Evera Moye
Baker County Representative Dougherty County Representatives:
Joe Austin, Chair Col. Jeffrey Hooks Ben Barrow Betty White Werhner Washington Dr. David Mosely Neil Lowe
Calhoun County Representative
Carl Childs, Jr.
Clay County Representative
Robert Chester
Early County Representative
Winston Oxford
Lee County Representative
Kuanita Murphy
Randolph County Representative
Rhonda Gordon
Terrell County Representative
FOUNDATION TRUSTEES Joe James
Celinda Dennison
Cathi Jones
C.W. Grant
Emerson Electrical
Procter & Gamble
Suzanna MacIntosh
SB&T Bank
Retired
Lem Griffin
Community Volunteer
Flint River Services
Kirt Phillips
Alfredia Hampton
Glenn Singfield
Ronnie Hinson
Merrill Lynch
Artesian Contracting
Katrina Baranko
MetroPower
Jim Wilcox
WALB-Channel 10
Mike Clark
Jeanette McDowell
Dr. Willie Adams Retired
Nathaniel Williams Sam’s Club
FOR THE ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF ALBANY TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Fall 2015
magazine
PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE 2 DUAL ENROLLMENT AT WORK ATC/SSU ARTICULATION AGREEMENT 3 ATC and Savannah State Sign Agreement ATC/TJC PLA SIGNING 4 ATC and Turner Job Corps Sign Agreement NURSE JOURNAL RANKING 5 ATC’s Nursing Program Ranks 52 in NJ’s Best Nursing Schools ATC COVER FEATURE 6/7 Pharmacy Tech Grad ATC DRIVER’S ED GRANT 8 GA Driver’s Education Comm. Awards Grant to ATC WOMEN IN HIGHER ED 9/10 ATC Hosts WIHE Conference BRIDGE GROUNDBREAKING 11 ATC Breaks Ground on S. Slappey Pedestrian Bridge 2015 STATE OF THE COLLEGE 12 Presidential Address RAD TECH LAB RIBBON CUTTING 13 Ribbon Cut on Newly Energized Lab FACES/EVENTS 14-20 Recent Happenings at ATC ATC VETERAN’S DAY 2015 21 ATC Holds Annual Ceremony ATC FALL COMMENCEMENT 22/23 ATC Holds Fall Commencement ATC HONORS DAY 2015 24 ATC Holds Fall Honors Day COLLEGE & CAREER ACADEMY 25 TCSG Awards Funding to Albany FACULTY/STAFF RECOGNITIONS 21 ATC’s New VPAA and Director of Admissions
DOUGHERTY COUNTY CAMPUS: 229 430.3500
RANDOLPH COUNTY LEARNING CENTER: 229 732.5280
ONLINE:
albanytech.edu
#myalbanytech
SunTrust Bank
Merle Norman Cosmetics
Interstate Warehousing
access
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital
Access is a quarterly news magazine published by the Marketing and Public Relations Office at Albany Technical College. Send direct inquiries to Wendy Howell, Executive Director of Marketing & Public Relations, at 229.430.3816 or email whowell@albanytech.edu. A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Albany Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). Inquires should be addressed to the VP of Administration, ATC, 229.430.3524 or email kskates@albanytech.edu.
FEATURES page 3
ATC/SSU AGREEMENT SIGNING
page 4
ABOUT OUR COVER: Ayana Harpe, Pharmacy Tech Graduate, Credits ATC with Academic Start Through Dual Enrollment
pages 6-7 page 11
ATC/TJC PLA SIGNING page 5
ATC NURSES RANKING
ATC BREAKS GROUND ON S. SLAPPEY PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE page 12
page 8
ATC DRIVERS ED RECEIVES GRANT page 9
WOMEN IN HIGHER ED CONFERENCE
PRESIDENTIAL STATE OF THE COLLEGE ADDRESS 2015 pages 14-20
Faces/ Events
Contents Faces/Events: Recent Happenings Around ATC
FROM OUR PRESIDENT
DR. ANTHONY O. PARKER
Dual Enrollment at Work!
More and more high school students and their parents are taking advantage of dual enrollment opportunities available through Albany Technical College and we are really seeing this initiative work!
reer Academy Albany was just approved for. With the location of the Academy right behind Albany Tech, there’s never been a better time to take advantage of dual enrollment.
Our graduate, Ayana Harpe, featured on the cover of this edition of Access, is proof that dual enrollment works.
I hope you enjoy this holiday edition of Access to see all the exciting things happening on our campus.
Ms. Harpe dually enrolled at Albany Tech while she was a student at Albany High. She graduated with an associate’s degree from Albany Tech shortly after graduating from Albany High and is now at Florida A&M working on her doctorate in Pharmacy.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your families!
As you read Ms. Harpe’s story, you will realize what an advantage she had over her peers by starting college early.
Sincerely,
Dr. Anthony O. Parker President
I invite parents to seriously consider allowing their high school student to dually enroll. It’s a win-win for students and parents with not only an academic enrichment, but also a tremendous cost savings. While I am on the subject of dual enrollment, I want to alert parents to keep up with the launching of the College and Ca-
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from the President
ARBOR DAY 2014
Albany Technical College and Savannah State University Sign Articulation Agreement in Electronics Engineering Technology Albany Technical College and Savannah State University held an articulation agreement signing ceremony on Friday, August 21st at 2:30pm in the Executive Board Room of Albany Tech’s Logistics Education Center.
The goal with the articulation agreement is to provide Associate of Applied Science (AAS) graduates of Albany Tech’s Electronics Engineering Technology program with an opportunity to continue on with Savannah State University to earn their Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology (BSEET). “The Savannah State University articulation will offer yet another option for Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology students at Albany Technical College to further their education at the Baccalaureate level,” said Manual Hall, Chair of the Electronics Technology programs at Albany Technical College.
By providing Albany Tech students who choose to specialize in Electronics Engineering Technology with a four-year degree option, this agreement is designed for students to matriculate his/her first two years at Albany Tech culminating with an associate’s degree and completing their bachelor’s degree at Savannah State.
to the electronics and civil engineering learning spaces, labs and equipment.
The articulation also supports the Complete College Georgia (CCG) initiative for all USG institutions, which seeks to simplify earning four-year degrees for students in the state.
“The articulation is extraordinary in that a prospective student graduating with an Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology degree from Albany Tech would be able to enter Savannah State with a junior standing,” said Hall. Additionally, Savannah State University (SSU) is expanding the capabilities of the engineering technology department. During the 2015 Georgia state legislative session, SSU received a green light for a $20 million building project. The development includes upgrades and additions access | Albany Technical College | Fall 2015 | 3
Albany Technical College and Turner Job Corps Sign Prior Learning Articulation Agreement Albany Technical College and Turner Job Corps held a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) articulation agreement signing ceremony on August 11th at 10am in the Executive Board Room of Albany Tech’s Logistics Education Center.
In support of the Complete College Georgia agenda, the goal with the articulation agreement is to assist and promote Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) in the transferability of the Turner Job Corps Training Achievement Record (TAR) to the associated Diploma or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree at Albany Tech. “Albany Technical College has pledged to identify best practices in prior learning assessment and this agreement with Turner Job Corps is an excellent example,” said Elizabeth Brown, Prior Learning Assessment Coordinator for Albany Technical College. The Turner Job Corps courses include Culinary Arts, Electrical, Carpentry, Medical Administration Assistant, Office Adminis4 | access | Albany Technical College | Fall 2015
tration, and Welding. These courses will transfer to an Albany Tech Culinary Arts Diploma and Hotel, Restaurant, Travel Management for Culinary Arts, Electrical Technology and Electromechanical Engineering Technology for Electrical, Carpentry Diploma for Carpentry, Medical Assisting Diploma for Medical Administration Assistant, Business Administrative Technology AAS degree for Office Administration, and Welding and Joining Technology Diploma for Welding. In 2012, Complete College Georgia, challenged the Technical College System of Georgia, as well as the University System of Georgia, to improve graduation rates and the recommendations included increasing and improving partnerships and performance, including shortening the time to obtain a degree. “The articulation agreement between Albany Technical College and Turner Job Corps meets the details in both of those recommendations,” added Brown.
“For more than a decade Turner Job Corps students have been attending the Albany Technical College after completion of their program of study here at the Center. For the first time, they will be will acknowledged for their prior accomplishments, as they continue enhance their skills in their chosen career path,” said Rose Walker Cook, Center Director.
Albany Technical College Associate of Science in Nursing Program Ranks 52 in Nurse Journal’s Best Nursing Schools The Albany Technical College Associate of Science (ASN) program was ranked #52 in the Nurse Journal’s Top 100 Best Nursing Schools listing for 2015. The ASN program was started at Albany Tech in 2013 with the first class graduating in April of 2015. The second program cohort just started the fall term at Albany Tech on August 19. According to Nurse Journal, there are several factors involved with choosing schools to make the list. Nineteen metrics are placed into five categories, including quality, affordability, convenience, satisfaction, and value. Quality factors included NCLEX Pass Rate, Nursing Program accreditation, highest awards, graduation rates, and quality. “The ASN program here at Albany Tech is a new program and the faculty is honored to be listed with such an impressive list of colleges and schools of nursing,” said Mattie Buchannon, Dean of the Health Care Technology division at Albany Technical College. Having graduated the first cohort of graduates this past spring, the program had some challenges, but they were met
head on and Buchannon attributes that to the expertise and compassion of the faculty and how well this reflected in the performance of the students. “They were challenged to bend, but they held their integrity and challenged the students to rise to the high standards that were established,” said Buchannon.
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Dual Enrollment Graduate Gets Jumpstart at ATC Albany High Graduate, Ayana Harpe, credits Albany Tech with her academic start Ayana Harpe originally became aware of Albany Tech through a presentation done by the Students Achieving Success in Engineering Technology (SASET) program, an initiative the college provides for high school students desiring to pursue careers in Engineering Technology. Through SASET, Harpe decided to enroll in their Summer Robotics Enrichment Academy and was given the opportunity to take a class. When her regular school year began at Albany High, she decided to dually enroll at Albany Tech because of her summer experience. Harpe decided to enroll in the Pharmacy Technology program since she had a career goal to become a Pharmacist. “Being in the Pharmacy Tech program taught me many valuable skills and techniques that I’ve been able to apply in my retail and hospital internships, and utilize during the certification exam,” said Harpe. At just 18 years old, Harpe completed her associate’s degree in Pharmacy Technology at Albany Tech this summer and began working on her doctorate degree in Pharmacy at Florida A&M University this fall. “Because I was dually enrolled, I was able to go straight into my university of choice as an academic sophomore, which came with benefits such as better class selection, faster matriculation, and other privileges as being able to have a car on campus and join certain organizations,” she said. 6 | access | Albany Technical College | Fall 2015
Harpe also said that having prior college experience eased the transition from high school to a post-secondary institution and that she would definitely recommend participating in dual enrollment, simply for the obvious financial and educational reasons, as well as developing a sense of responsibility and acquiring a certain level of maturity and independence. “My ultimate career goal is to become a Pharmacist and Albany Tech helped me get a jumpstart on achieving my goals by allowing me to get real life experience in a professional setting,” she said. “I was able to work alongside people who were already in my chosen field and fully enjoyed my ATC experience.”
“Being in the Pharmacy Tech program taught me many valuable skills and techniques that I’ve been able to apply in my retail and hospital internships, and utilize during the certification exam.”
“My ultimate career goal is to become a Pharmacist and Albany Tech helped me get a jumpstart on achieving my goals by allowing me to get real life experience in a professional setting. I was able to work alongside people who were already in my chosen field and fully enjoyed my ATC experience.�
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Georgia Driver’s Education Commission Awards Grant to Albany Technical College Albany Technical College has been awarded a grant in the amount of $22,390 from the Georgia Driver’s Education Commission. The grant, which runs from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, will help finance driver’s education locally by providing classes with 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of behind-thewheel experience with a trained instructor. “Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers and we are committed to providing students with the education and experience needed to avoid tragedy,” said GDEC Chairman, Harris Blackwood. “This grant will help Albany Technical College equip young drivers in the community to be safer when they get behind the wheel.” The grant will provide free Driver’s Education and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Currently, Albany Tech has been allotted funds to accommodate 296 persons. Without the grant funds provided by the state of Georgia, the cost for Driver’s Education at Albany Tech costs $250. 8 | access | Albany Technical College | Fall 2015
“This grant will allow Albany Technical College to offer Driver’s Education that meets Joshua’s Law guidelines to young people between the ages of 15 and 18 who are seeking to become first-time drivers in the state of Georgia,” said Matt Trice, Vice President of the Center for Business Solutions at Albany Technical College. “In addition to the free tuition for the course, many insurance providers offer significant discounts in premiums for teens who have successfully completed approved Driver Education courses.” For more information about the driver’s
education program at Albany Technical College, contact the Center for Business Solutions at Albany Technical College at 229.430.3563 or at cbs@albanytech.edu.
Albany Technical College Hosted Women in Higher Education Leadership Conference on November 3rd and 4th
Albany Technical College, in partnership with the Georgia Association for Women in Higher Education (GAWHE) and the American Council on Education (ACE) Women’s Network, hosted a Women in Higher Education (WIHE) Leadership Conference on November 3rd and 4th in the Kirkland Conference Center on the Albany Tech campus.
In an effort to support gender equity and to promote diversity among Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) colleges, the WIHE Leadership Conference was designed to connect TCSG women with GAWHE for networking and for the women to have the opportunity to engage in professional development opportunities. The conference was also designed to connect with ACE’s Women’s Network and broaden the awareness of ACE’s “Moving the Needle” Initiative, which was created to promote gender equity and diversity in higher education. This conference launched grounds to broaden the scope of current succession planning programs on both local and state levels and to celebrate leaders support of gender equity and diversity as evidenced by their practice. One such leader of these efforts is Albany Tech President,
Dr. Anthony O. Parker, who recognizes that nearly 70 percent of executive leaders employed at Albany Tech are both female and ethnically diverse.
“The high percentage of females among the executive leadership team is not based on gender, but rather on the skillset of the individuals and the fact that such individuals were deemed to be the best fit for their respective position,” said Parker. “The same holds true for the ethnic diversity percentage.” Organizer of the conference, Dr. Kim Lee, Executive Vice President and Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness at Albany Tech, believes that efforts are necessary to amplify gender parity and diversity in order for ACE to realize similar benefits to those referenced in the research brief for corporations. “A research brief published by Higher Education Resource Services (HERS), Dr. Susan Madsen (2015), posits that higher education institutions have the ‘potential for greater thriving’ when an emphasis is placed on gender inclusivity and gender parity,” said Lee. Lee agrees that, as a lifetime educator
herself serving at an executive level for more than a decade, Dr. Madsen’s position is relative to embracing diversity in the higher education leadership realm. “Mergers, decreased public funding, legislative involvement in curriculum decisions, campus safety, increasing public demand for accountability, mounting student debt and appropriately serving a growing number of academically unprepared students, are all realities facing institutions of higher education today,” said Lee. “These complex challenges require leadership acumen that is influential, nimble, proficient and responsive to the dynamic interests of the broader social, academic, political and economic community,” added Lee. TCSG Commissioner, Gretchen Corbin, applauded Dr. Parker and the Albany Tech family for being the host for the conference and providing development opportunities for TCSG colleagues and others. “We are honored by the support and guidance to conduct this conference Albany Tech has received from the leadership of ACE’s Inclusive Excellence Group and from the leadership of GAWHE,” said Corbin. “Both of these organizations have a long-standing and reputable history of Continued on page 10 access | Albany Technical College | Fall 2015 | 9
Continued from page 9 supporting women in higher education.� Keynote speakers for the conference included Dr. Belle Wheelan, President of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and Dr. Kathy Schwaig, Dean and Dinos Eminent Scholar Chair of Entrepreneurial Management and Professor of Information Systems in the Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University. Presenters for the conference included Commander Erin N. Adler, JD, instructor of Maritime Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice and Constitution Law at the U.S. Coast 10 | access | Albany Technical College | Fall 2015
Guard Academy; Kristel Baranko, Chair of the Marketing Management program at Albany Technical College; Monique Baucham, Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness at Columbus Technical College; Dr. Kim Bobby, Director of the Inclusive Excellence Group (IEG) at the American Council on Education; Dr. Connie Gores, President of Southwest Minnesota State University; Dr. Angela J. Evans, Director of Student Marketing and Campus Engagement at Kennesaw State University; Dr. Cheryl Dozier, President of Savannah State University; Dr. Freida Harrell, Retired Assistant Commissioner for Development for the Technical College System of Georgia; Dr. Nichole Kennedy, Vice President for Student
Affairs at Augusta Technical College; Dr. Charlene Lamar, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Ogeechee Technical College; Dr. Kim Lee, Executive Vice President and Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness at Albany Technical College; Dr. Kimberly Parker, Associate Professor at Texas Woman’s University; Dr. Narcisa Polonio, Executive Vice President of Education, Research and Board Leadership Services at the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT); Dr. Josephine Reed-Taylor, Chief Academic Officer for the Technical College System of Georgia; and Dr. Alvetta Thomas, President of Atlanta Technical College.
Albany Tech Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for South Slappey Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge Oct. 21st Albany Technical College held a groundbreaking ceremony to begin construction on the South Slappey Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge on October 21st at 3pm at the walkway to the front of the George M. Kirkland Building off South Slappey Boulevard.
Albany Tech requested the bridge during the last SPLOST VI vote as a public safety item for the campus. Not only will the bridge provide a safe means for pedestrians with a need to conduct business on either side of South Slappey Boulevard, but it will also facilitate future growth of the college. The college is currently landlocked on all sides, except the west side of South Slappey Boulevard and as the college continues to grow, the only viable options for expansion will be in that direction. “We know the only way to grow the campus in the future is to go across South Slappey, but the bridge should also enhance our business neighbors’ offerings as well with the added safety,” said Dr. Anthony O. Parker, President of Albany Technical College. Construction of the bridge is expected to be complete sometime in March 2016. access | Albany Technical College | Fall 2015 | 11
Albany Tech President’s Presented Annual State of the College Address on Sept. 23rd Albany Technical College President, Dr. Anthony O. Parker, delivered the annual State of the College address on September 23rd at 10am in the Kirkland Conference Center. Dr. Parker focused on Albany Technical College’s strength in enrollment and compared how we measure up within the seven-county Service Delivery Area (SDA), as well as peers with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). Information was also available on how the college currently stands with job placement, graduation, enrollment, and Governor Deal’s Complete College Georgia goals. “The current economic climate has increased the reliance of a post-secondary education at a technical college to secure a well paying job,” said Dr. Anthony Parker, President of Albany Technical College. “Obtainment of workforce skill sets is one of the more important variables in competing for employment,” he added. Parker also discussed academic year 20142015 accomplishments and upcoming challenges for 2015-2016. 12 | access | Albany Technical College | Fall 2015
Albany Technical College Cuts Ribbon on Newly Energized Radiologic Technology Lab In celebration of National Radiologic Technology Week celebrated November 8-14, Albany Technical College held a ribbon cutting on its newly energized lab on November 12th at 10am, in the Nathaniel Cross Healthcare Technology Building, Room 137. Inside an 18 by 16-foot room with a fully functional x-ray machine, the newly energized lab has a patient table capable of moving up and down and a floating tabletop capable of moving in four directions. It also has an upright image receptor holder that is adjustable in height to accommodate the different types of upright exams. There is also an observation window so that students can observe procedures from the outside of the room, as well as a spacious control area inside the room that can accommodate additional students. The x-ray tube is mounted on a rolling track suspended from the ceiling giving students the wide range of motion to move the x-ray tube into most any position needed for x-ray studies. The radiographs (x-ray images) are performed on
two real bone phantoms and processed in a device called a reader and are then processed and ready for viewing on a computer monitor in about 45 seconds. One body phantom is on the x-ray table, the second on a rolling cart and is used to simulate an upright patient and used with the upright image holder. “The equipment is very similar to what the students use in their clinical sites here in Albany and Cordele and should help them to gain a better understanding of the use of the equipment and the skills necessary to properly position the patients they encounter,� said Richard Parker, Chair of the Radiologic Technology program at Albany Technical College.
a better understanding of the history of Radiologic Technology. The field of Radiologic Technology began 120 years ago on November 8, 1895 when Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, a German physicist was working in his lab at the University of Wurzburg. His experiments were based on those conducted by Sir William Crookes, German Physicist Phillip Lenard, and perhaps, even those of American experimenter, Arthur William Goodspeed.
Students will be tested throughout the length of the program on their ability to use the equipment in what is called a Performance test. The test will simulate the conditions encountered by the students in their clinical training and is necessary for them to move on to the next stage, which is radiographing an actual patient. During the week, the students also gained access | Albany Technical College | Fall 2015 | 13
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Albany Tech held Summer Semester Capping and Pinning for Healthcare Technology students on July 29th. Almost 70 Albany Tech students were recognized during Wednesday evening’s ceremony, including Associate of Science in Nursing, Practical Nursing, Pharmacy Technology, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, Health Information Coding, and Health Information Management programs.
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Albany Tech held Summer Semester Capping and Pinning for Healthcare Technology students on July 29th. Almost 70 Albany Tech students were recognized during Wednesday evening’s ceremony, including Associate of Science in Nursing, Practical Nursing, Pharmacy Technology, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, Health Information Coding, and Health Information Management programs.
Twenty Albany Tech students were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) fall ceremony held on October 15th.
Albany Tech held their annual Open House event on June 20th. Hundreds of visitors had the opportunity to preview academic programs and even register for fall semester.
Several high school students had the opportunity to explore healthcare careers in Nursing, Surgical Technology, and Paramedicine and Computer Information Systems programs during Albany Tech’s first annual HEAT (Health Enrichment Training) Academy held July 7th through 30th.
The Albany Technical College Foundation received a $2,500 Scholarship donation from AT&T. Pictured (left to right): Rep. Winfred Dukes, Ga District 154; Courtney Brinson, AT&T District Director; Dr. Anthony O. Parker, President of Albany Technical College; and Joe Najjar, Chair of the Albany Tech Foundation. access | Albany Technical College | Fall 2015 | 15
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Albany Tech held several informational forums in the summer and fall to educate high school students and their parents on the benefits of dual enrollment through the new Georgia “Move On When Ready” program.
Albany Tech Foundation held their annual fundraising golf tournament at River Pointe Golf Club on October 19th.
Albany Tech’s Special Needs program hosted a Substance Abuse Workshop on June 24th. The purpose of the workshop was to understand the effects of drug use on the brain and the difference between proper use and misuse of prescription drugs.
The Career Development Center at Albany Tech hosted their annual Fall Career Fair on October 22nd. Almost 50 employers were represented.
The Titans Alliance Robotics Team helped mentor 30 refugee kids from Somalia at the ATC Innovation Center on Saturday, December 5th.
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F/E
Harry Wilson, Human Resources and Safety Manager for American Proteins, Inc., presented Dr. Anthony Parker, President of Albany Tech, with a check for the Foundation’s scholarship funds in the amount of $16,000 on December 15th. This is the tenth year in a row American Proteins has given the donation to the Albany Tech Foundation.
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Albany Technical College was the kickoff host for EMBARK ALBANY on October 28th, a collaborative program part of EMBARK GEORGIA, a statewide network serving post-secondary professionals and institutions to ensure connectivity, share best practices, and provide information exchange among youth.
The Albany Women In Construction Group presented Albany Tech students with $500 scholarships on June 11th. Recipients included (left to right): Miesha Clark (Drafting); Mark Mackey (HVAC); Lewis Singleton (Masonry); and Cordnie Estill (Industrial Electrical).
Albany Tech announced the launch of a weekend Diesel Equipment Technology program, which is scheduled to start Spring Semester 2016.
Student Affairs held a “GradFest” event on Nov. 18th, where students who were graduating could pick up their caps and gowns and learn about pathway options to four-year universities at the same time.
F/E Nearly 20 students at Lee County High School are dually enrolled in Albany Tech’s CNA program this fall.
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Col. James Carroll, Commanding Officer of MCLB Albany, and other MCLB Albany officials toured Albany Tech with President Parker on Sept. 10th. Pictured (left to right): Col. James C. Carroll, III, Commanding Officer, MCLB Albany; Dr. Anthony O. Parker, President of Albany Tech; Kent Morrison, Executive Director, MCLB Albany; and Lt. Col. Nathaniel Robinson, Executive Officer, MCLB Albany.
Georgia’s Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle held an informational forum about Georgia’s Career Academies at Albany Tech on Sept. 3rd. He and Beth Shiroishi, President of AT&T Georgia, also presented Dr. Parker, President of Albany Tech, and Dougherty County School System Superintendent, Dr. David Mosely, with a check for $10,000 to go toward Albany’s future Career Academy.
Albany Tech Student Activities held the annual Fall Festival for students on Oct. 1st
ATC’s 2015 Homecoming Week was November 2-4. Several activities were held for students, faculty, and staff. The Homecoming games were played November 4th, where both the Lady Titans and Titans defeated the BrewtonParker Barons.
F/E
Albany Tech Pharmacy Technology student, Gregory Ewing (center), was awarded the Amy H. Holloway Scholarship during a recent Georgia Leadership Conference. The scholarship is awarded to student organization members who have shown dedication through outstanding service and leadership in the State of Georgia. Selection was based on GPA, participation in local organization, community service, a written essay and nomination from an adviser. Ewing has been a member of the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) since 2014 having served as Vice President and now Secretary. 18 | access | Albany Technical College | Fall 2015
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Albany Tech held their annual Active Shooter Training on November 18th.
Several ATC Faculty, Staff, and Students showed support for cancer by walking in the Cancer Stomp Walk on October 24th, sponsored by the Cancer Coalition of South Georgia.
Samantha McClean, Early Childhood Care and Education associate degree program student, recently won Third Place in a writing competition held by the Albany Museum of Art. With 52 submissions, the Museum awarded cash prizes for First, Second, and Third Place, along with the publication of essays in the Museum booklet. There were also four Honorable Mentions chosen to have their work published. “I am happy to have represented Albany Technical College in this writing competition,” said McClean, who is on target to graduate in May 2016. McClean said her goal is to become a teacher and better the lives of young children by providing them with a quality education that includes developing a love for reading and learning, which will set the foundation for them to succeed in life. She said she plans to enter this competition again next year as a model of self-determination to all of her future students. “It is important they grow up knowing they should never stop trying for first place,” she added. To read McLean’s essay, as well as the other winning essays, visit albanymuseum.com/1000-words.html.
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Albany Tech’s Healthcare Technology programs held fall Capping and Pinning on November 18th. More than 50 Albany Tech students were recognized, including Practical Nursing, Pharmacy Technology, Paramedicine Technology, Health Information Management, and Surgical Technology programs.
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Veteran’s Day 2015
Albany Technical College held their third annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony on November 10th at 10am in the Kirkland Conference Center. Keynote speaker for this year’s ceremony was Rev. Richard Pogue, Pastor of Oakridge Baptist Church of Albany.
Rev. Richard Pogue, a U.S. Navy Veteran, holds a bachelor’s degree from Alabama State University and a master’s degree from Pepperdine University. He received his Doctorate in Theological Studies from the International Seminary in Plymouth, Florida. Prior to becoming the Pastor at Oakridge Baptist Church in Albany, Pogue has served in past positions as Chief of Classification and Wage Administration at Robins Air Force Base; Chief of Employment Staffing at Robins; Chief of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action at Robins; Chief of Employee Development and Training at Robins; Chief of Recruitment and Staffing at Keesler Air Force Base; Personnel Manager at the Air Force Reserve in New Orleans; Personnel Management Specialist at Headquarter Air Training Command in San Antonio, Texas; a Mortgage Broker; Real Estate, Mortgage and Insurance Salesman; and a motivational speaker. Pogue has received numerous awards, including Outstanding Young Men of
America Award; Who’s Who Among Black Americans; Key to the City of New Orleans (Support of Disabled Veterans); Kool Achiever Award (1 of 13 national winners) Volunteer Service; and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Award. He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity; NAACP; Blacks in Government; Abilities Discovery; National Chamber of Commerce; and Lions Club.
The ceremony began with a welcome from Albany Tech’s President, Dr. Anthony O. Parker, followed by an invocation by Dr. Steve Eidson, Dean of Economic Development at Albany Tech and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran. After the invocation, Color Guard was conducted by Monroe Comprehensive High School’s ROTC students, National Anthem and musical presentations by Lincoln Elementary Magnet School Chorus, bagpipes by Dan Gillan, U.S. Marine Corps Veterans, and the keynote speaker gave his presentation. Albany Tech began the tradition in 2013 of holding both a Memorial Day and Veterans Day Ceremony on the campus on the Thursday following the Monday holiday to commemorate our veterans and allow our students, faculty, staff, and the community to recognize and honor those who fought for our country. access | Albany Technical College | Fall 2015 | 21
Fall Commencement 2015
Albany Technical College Held Fall Commencement Exercises on December 3rd Albany Technical College held Fall Commencement Exercises on Thursday, December 3, 2015, at 7pm, at the James H. Gray Civic Center in Albany.
More than 250 candidates for associate degrees, more than 700 candidates for diplomas, and more than 1,250 candidates for technical certificates of credit graduated. Among these graduates, nearly 130 students were honored at an earlier ceremony on the Albany Tech campus on Tuesday with such distinctions as General Education Development highest test scores, Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), Presidential Scholar, Honors with Distinction, National Technical Honor Society (NTHS), ATC Ambassadors, American Criminal Justice Association Club, Collegiate DECA, Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), Student Government Association (SGA), and SkillsUSA. In addition, nearly 100 high school students graduated with college credit through Albany Tech’s dual/joint enrollment programs. Over 50 students graduated with their General Education Development (GED®). Among the list of graduates for Thursday evening’s ceremony was 2015 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner and Medical Assisting student, Jerri Jarrell, who said she came back to school after deciding it was time for her to do something for herself and pursue her passion to work in the medical field. “I had a long road ahead of me trying to balance my school life with my life at home, however, I meant I was going to finish school this time no matter what,” said Jarrell. Jarrell said her instructors at Albany Tech had a way of teaching “outside the box” so that all the learning material stuck with-
out getting boring. She said the support from the staff was amazing. “The months seemed to just fly by and it was time to take our national certification test, which we all passed,” she said. Students in most of Albany Tech’s Healthcare Technology programs are required to do externships. Jarrell, who was interested in doing hers with a neurologist or gastroenterologist, was placed at an orthopedic office. She said that she loved it from day one. “My goal before I graduated was to find a job so that I could walk straight out of the doors at Albany Tech, and straight into a doctor’s office to start work,” said Jarrell. “About three weeks into my first site rotation, which was Phoebe Orthopedic Specialists, the director told me I needed to apply for a position they had open.” Jarrell said that after the first five weeks, she was suppose to switch to another extern site and she left Phoebe Orthopedic long enough to complete her check-offs and went right back and got the job. “The day after my last day of externship, I walked right back into Phoebe Orthopedic, not as a student, but as an employee,” she said. “I had achieved the goal I set out to do. The whole journey from start to
finish was stressful, but also taught me a lot and to get out of my comfort zone, because you never know what good it can lead to.” Keynote speaker for the ceremony was J. Randy Jackson, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Administration for Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). Prior to joining Kia, Jackson was employed with Toyota North America and Mercedes Benz USA and International, Inc. At that time, he helped start up plants in West Virginia, Indiana, Missouri, Alabama, Mexico, and Europe. During his career, he has worked in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Japan. Jackson has been published several times in the National SHRM magazine for Human Resources Professionals, and is recognized as one of the Top Leaders in his field around the country. He has coached, mentored, and developed many other Human Resources Professionals with their careers, and continues to make contributions to the Human Resources and Legal field. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, an MBA, and J.D. degree in Law from the University of Georgia and also has legal certification in Labor Law from the Institute of Applied Management and Law. access | Albany Technical College | Fall 2015 | 23
Albany Tech’s Fall Honors Day Program Albany Technical College held Honor’s Day for fall on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, beginning at 11am in the Kirkland Conference Center. Keynote speaker for the program was Justin Strickland, President of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission. A native of Albany, Georgia, Justin Strickland works every day to bring new jobs and investment to Albany and Dougherty County. He has been employed since 2007 by the public-private partnership of the City of Albany, Dougherty County, and the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. He came to the EDC from the private sector, where he was a bank marketing executive for a multi-state bank holding company. Strickland was recently recognized by the International Economic Development Council as a Certified Economic Developer. A graduate of Albany High School, the University of Georgia, Leadership Albany, and the Georgia Academy for Economic Development, his honors include being named one of Southwest Georgia’s 40 Under 40 and Marketer of the Year by The Community Bankers’ Association of Georgia. He currently serves on the Foundation of the Methodist Home for the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church and as Vice Chairman of Locate South Georgia, a regional economic development marketing alliance for South Georgia. He has also served as Chairman of the Professional Development Committee for the Georgia Economic Developers Association, and was charter president and founding member of the Albany Downtown Sertoma Club.
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Nearly 130 Albany Tech students were recognized during Tuesday’s ceremony for award categories such as American Criminal Justice Association Club, ATC Ambassadors, Collegiate DECA, Engineering Club (E-Club), Honors with Distinction, Mr. and Miss ATC, National Technical Honors Society (NTHS), Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), Presidential Scholar, SkillsUSA, Student Fellowship for Christians (SFC), Student Government Association (SGA), and General Education Development (GED).
Technical College System of Georgia announces $10 million in funding for three new College and Career Academies The board of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) recently awarded grants totaling $10 million to help establish three new college and career academies in Georgia. Grants were given for career academies in Morgan County, Dougherty County, and Atlanta. Each received $3.33 million, which will be matched with local funding to support the academies’ start-up costs, construction, and initial staffing. Three of Georgia’s technical colleges will partner with local school systems to establish the college and career academies. Georgia Piedmont Technical College will collaborate with the Morgan County School System. Albany Technical College will work with the Dougherty County School System in partnership with the Terrell and Calhoun County school systems, and Atlanta Technical College will collaborate with the Atlanta Public School System in partnership with the Fulton and Clayton County school systems. “The success of Georgia’s College and Career Academies is a product of strong state partnerships with local communities, educational entities and business partners,” said Gretchen Corbin, Commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia. “By providing a streamlined connection between high school and college educations, our College and Career Academies are an important part of Georgia’s economic development strategy.” In Albany, the grant will largely go towards transforming what is currently Southside Middle School into the Commodore Conyers College and Career Academy (CCCCA), which will serve students in the Dougherty County, Terrell County and Calhoun County School Systems. “This really is a historic day for students in Southwest Georgia,” Dougherty County School Superintendent Dr. David Mosely said. “For the first time in Southwest Georgia public education, higher education and the business community are working together to create some amazing opportunity for our kids and that’s a good thing.” Next, the charter for the CCCCA must pass muster with the state board of Education, which will likely vote on whether to accept
it at their January meeting. Last month, representatives of several Southwest Georgia school districts, ATC, Albany State University, Darton State College and business and community leaders met with an interview panel with the state DOE to discuss the CCCCA. The College and Career Academy will be a first for the students in Southwest Georgia. It will be run by a CEO and principal who will answer to a board of directors named by the Dougherty County School System, Albany Technical College, Albany State University, the Albany-Area Chamber of Commerce and the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission. “This will be the greatest opportunity for Albany and Southwest Georgia in my 20 years at Albany Tech,” Dr. Anthony Parker, president at Albany Tech said. “This will be an opportunity to bring together high school students through a mechanism that gives them a workforce credential or to earn the equivalent of an associate degree and to enter a college or university as a junior…ultimately, we believe this will give businesses and economic developers a reason to look at the second congressional district for relocation and expansion of industry because of our skilled workforce.” In a first for college and career academies across the state, the Dougherty County School Board has decided to appoint business and community leaders to the board of directors for the CCCCA; an example of the board’s commitment to addressing the workforce development needs of Southwest Georgia. “The College and Career Academy isn’t just an Albany, Dougherty County thing. It’s really a regional concept that will benefit students and businesses throughout Southwest Georgia,” Velvet Riggins, chair of the Dougherty County School Board, said. Students entering the CCCCA will retain their affiliation with their zoned high schools but will get the opportunity to pursue 10 different college or career pathways facilitated by educators attached to the DCSS, Albany Tech, and Albany State. Additionally, applied practical instruction will be taught in labs by business and community leaders in the community.
“This opens the door for apprenticeships and internship opportunities that our students simply haven’t had in the past,” Associate Superintendent for Academic Services Ufot Inyang said. “This will give students the opportunity to pursue a college degree, technical certification or workforce training while still remaining high school students and they’ll get to do it free of charge.” “This is a proud day for Albany, Dougherty County, and Southwest Georgia,” said Darrel Ealum, State Representative, Georgia House District 153. “This $3 million dollar grant will allow us to provide a co-located first class facility adjacent to Albany Technical College where our students will take advantage of existing ATC facilities, as well as newly renovated facilities.” “The College and Career Academy creates an incredible opportunity for students in Albany and Southwest Georgia to develop the skills needed by our industries,” said Justin Strickland, president of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Community. “The initiative creates a pipeline of talent that supports economic growth in our region.” “The Albany Area business community has been committed to the College and Career Academy from the very beginning, and has worked hand-in-hand with our educational leaders to develop a program that creates opportunities for students to become players in our economy,” said Bárbara Rivera Holmes, interim president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, and vice president of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission. “This long-term strategic collaboration between education and business is key to our region’s success.” Students find that the academies’ dual credit programs provide great relevancy and value, which leads to higher graduation rates. Students are also better-prepared for higher education because they take college-level courses and earn college credits. Businesses realize the benefit from students who can put their education to work as part of Georgia’s highly-trained and skilled workforce.
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FACULTY/STAFF RECOGNITIONS
Albany Technical College Welcomes Dr. Tanjula Petty, new Vice President for Academic Affairs Prior to coming to Albany Tech, Petty served in a variety of administrative positions, including serving as Title III Director and instructor at Vernon College in Texas. After relocating to Pensacola, Florida, she served as the Director of Institutional Quality Enhancement at Pensacola Junior College and Alabama State University. Recently, she served as the Dean of Instruction at Trenholm State Community College in Montgomery, Alabama. She also served as an adjunct instructor at Troy State in Leadership Studies.
Albany Technical College is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Tanjula Petty began her new duties on Tuesday, December 1st. As the college’s chief academic officer, she will be responsible for the oversight of the quality of the college’s instructional programs, and for the coordination of the college’s administrative and support functions central to its academic mission.
Petty has been actively engaged in numerous university committees, councils and tasks forces, and has helped lead a college to an initial SACSCOC accreditation in 2014. Collectively, she holds over 12 years of experience in assessment and accreditation, community college experience, curriculum, higher education, research, and teaching. A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Petty was a first generation college student who often states that she refused to live by society’s standards of just getting by because of where she grew up, but she knew that it would be her faith in God and her education that opened many doors of opportunities.
A change agent in the field of education, Petty has dedicated her career to focus on objectives that relate to education that include helping retain minority students, who are at risk, and eliminating transitional barriers for first generation students. Her research interests are assessment and accountability, higher education policies, curricular and program development, and first year transitional issues. Petty holds a bachelor’s degree in Resource Management and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Troy State University. She completed her doctoral studies at Alabama State University in the Educational Leadership, Policy, and Law. An inductee of the Alpha Gamma Chi Honor Society, Petty received the 2013 Distinguished Dissertation Award presented by the Council of Historically Black Graduate Schools (CHBGS) and ProQuest/ University Microfilms International (UMI), and joined the ranks of award recipients in the ProQuest “Hall of Scholars.” Active in professional, civic, and higher education organizations Petty is published in several peer-reviewed publications. She is married to William H. Petty, Colonel, Retired, and together, they have three daughters and one son.
Albany Technical College Welcomes Dr. Edward Alexander as new Director of Admissions Albany Tech’s new Director of Admissions, Dr. Edward Alexander, joined the team in August, bringing over 16 years of student affairs experience. Alexander has served at both two- and four-year institutions in Florida and North Carolina, as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands. He served at Jacksonville University where he provided for the enrollment services needs of all students, particularly the international student population. During his tenure at Jacksonville University, he served as the institution’s Designated School Official (DSO), a student affairs liaison to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services department.
In North Carolina, Alexander served as Director of Enrollment Management, Corporate Education Liaison for the University of Phoenix, and Director of Admissions and Registrar at the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas. Most recently, he served as an Enrollment Management consultant in the field of international student recruitment and admissions, developing recruitment plans for private and public colleges and universities, all while completing his doctoral degree and graduating this past May.
WELCOME DR. PETTY & DR. ALEXANDER! 26 | access | Albany Technical College | Fall 2015
Look for the next edition of Access in March!
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ATC!
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1704 South Slappey Boulevard Albany, Georgia 31701
Dougherty County Campus: 229.430.3500 | Randolph County Learning Center: 229.732.5280 www.albanytech.edu As set forth in its student catalog, Albany Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, veteran status, or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). The following person(s) has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator, Kathy Skates, Vice President of Administrative Services, Albany Technical College, 1704 S. Slappey Blvd., Albany, GA 31701. Phone 229.430.3524 and Section 504 Coordinator, Regina Watts, Special Needs Coordinator, Albany Technical College, 1704 S. Slappey Blvd., Albany, GA 31701, 229.430.2854 or rwatts@albanytech.edu.