Highlander Spring/Summer 2021

HIGHLANDER The official magazine of Georgia Highlands College

Spring/Summer 2021

2 YEAR. 4 YEAR. RIGHT HERE.

IN THIS ISSUE Explore academic pathways in Film Production,

Entrepreneurship, & more

Alumnus starts marketing agency

with global reach

Student earns scholarship to study abroad in Paris

Table of Contents

in this issue 3

Message from the President

4

2 Year. 4 Year. Right Here.

14

Campus News

24

Student Organization Spotlight

27

Faculty Spotlight

28

Chargers Taking Charge

The Highlander is published twice a year by Georgia Highlands College 3175 Cedartown Highway Rome, GA 30161 • 706.802.5000 highlands.edu Editor and Designer Sheila Jones Senior Director of Marketing and Communications Photographer Jeff Brown Director of Digital Media Services Writers Nick Godfrey Director of Communications Mark Andrews Development Communications Coordinator

30 Staff Spotlight 31

Student Spotlight

36

Foundation Spotlight

38

Charger News

Donald J. Green, Ed.D. President Dana Nichols, Ph.D. Provost and Chief Academic Officer

ABOUT THE COVER:

Bolt can’t get enough of the spotlight. Ever since GHC’s new film students starting learning how to use production cameras, Bolt has jumped at every opportunity to volunteer to be filmed. Rumor has it that Bolt is trying to make his way onto the “Stranger Things” show recorded near the Floyd campus in Rome. Learn about the new film production pathway and more on pages 4 - 13 in this issue.

KEEP UP WITH GEORGIA HIGHLANDS ON SOCIAL MEDIA /GeorgiaHighlandsCollege /GHCAthletics /gahighlands

Georgia Highlands College Executive Leadership Team

@GaHighlands @GHC_Athletics

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Georgia Highlands College is a multi-campus, state college of the University System of Georgia. Founded in 1970 as Floyd Junior College, it now serves thousands of students in Northwest Georgia across five locations in Rome, Cartersville, Marietta, Dallas, and Douglasville. GHC currently offers an associate degree in over 30 areas of study, as well as six bachelor’s degrees. Over ten areas of study are offered fully online.

Jamie Petty Vice President for Finance and Administration Rob Laltrello Chief Information Officer Tammi Walsh Interim Chief Human Resources Officer Jesse Bishop, Ed.D Dean of Planning, Assessment, Accreditation, and Research Leslie Johnson Campus Dean - Cartersville site Ken Reaves Campus Dean - Marietta site

Recently, Georgia Highlands College reorganized the academic areas with a clear focus on innovative curriculum and local workforce needs.

GHC now oversees five Schools representing these academic areas: School of Business and Professional Studies, School of Health Sciences, School of Humanities, School of Social Sciences and Education, and School of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

GHC President Don Green We made this change while announcing several new programs including pathways in sports management, film production, graphic design, and many others.

More than ever, GHC is the right place to earn your two-year and four-year degrees. By choosing one of our new Schools and finding a career in the field that interests you most, students like you are well on their way to taking charge of their future at GHC. I’m excited to showcase these Schools and a few of our new programs in this issue of the Highlander.

Find out how our film students are utilizing the latest equipment on sets by reading more on pages 4-5.

Check out the amazing hands-on work in undergraduate research at Lake Allatoona by our STEM students on pages 8-9. See what opportunities become available to our students in criminal justice when they earn a bachelor’s degree at GHC on page 11.

These engaging stories are more than features on our new Schools and programs. These are real students making a real difference in their lives.

I encourage you to look at the new programs at GHC by visiting highlands.edu today. I am sure you’ll see that taking charge at Georgia Highlands College has taken on a whole new meaning. Get started on your next career or help someone you know do the same!

Unable to attend the 2021 spring commencement due to playing in the Region 17 tournament, graduating baseball athletes had their degrees conferred by President Green at a special ceremony held at GHC’s Cartersville site.

Watch for a special graduation feature in the fall/winter issue of The Highlander.

For photos and video from the 2021 spring commencement, visit commencement.highlands.edu

highlands.edu | 3

From the President

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCHOOL FOR THE RIGHT CAREER

2 year. 4 year. Right Here.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

Students produce short films in GHC’s new film production pathway In GHC’s Introduction to Film Production course, students go beyond reading and learning about the craft. Students actually work on a film set to complete a class project.

“In Intro to Film Production, we teach the whole facet of what productions look like, from concept and preproduction, to planning and shooting,” Film Production Instructor and School of Humanities Chair Seth Ingram said.

For example, students in the spring 2021 semester made short promotional videos detailing why they chose the film pathway. This included students acting in front of the camera and speaking about their personal experience and the reason why they chose to pursue an associate degree in film from GHC. “Students rotate roles on set to get a flavor for the different departments’ duties in production process,” Ingram said. “We’ll have someone on camera, assistant

4 | Spring/Summer 2021

camera, grip, lighting, sound mixing, and editing – all of the roles needed to make a production successful.”

Beyond giving students hands-on education across these various positions, this exercise also required students to work together.

“Because students work in different roles on set, they have to learn to effectively communicate their ideas and needs with one another,” Ingram said. “This exercise really shows students all the work it takes to bring a production to life, and the students have been excited to get out of the classroom and get handson experience with the production process in a safe, socially distanced environment.”

Students enrolled in the film production pathway also attend courses at the Georgia Film Academy (GFA) in Metro-Atlanta at OFS and Trilith Studios.

The GFA is a collaboration of the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Geor-

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES gia created by state leadership to meet education and workforce needs for high demand careers in Georgia’s film and creative industries.

Through the GFA, students can choose courses focused on production or post-production. The craft courses taught at the GFA are more specific to the individual departments a student might seek in the industry upon completion of the program. Upon completing 18 hours of GFA courses, students are eligible to apply for competitive paid internships through the GFA, working on large film and television productions.

Because the field of film production is booming in Georgia, students have the option to complete their associate degree at GHC, get an internship, and go straight into working on sets.

Students Edward Gallanthen and Erick Mitchell have both worked with the art and lighting department in the production simulations.

“So far we have watched videos about lighting and have worked in the production room lighting up random things for practice before we started filming,” Gallanthen said. “We had some preliminary practice, but we’re still learning as we go and looking to Professor Ingram for guidance.”

He said it was exciting to finally get to work as a group on a set.

“Everything else up until now has been like a test – light something up, look at it through a camera lens, story boards, and breaking down scripts,” Gallanthen

said. “Now we’re seeing how it all comes together.”

For Mitchell, he knew he wanted to work in the film industry after seeing the film ‘Spider-Man’ in 2000.

“I thought it was so cool seeing the special effects like his web slingers, how it looked like he was climbing up buildings – I just wanted to be a part of that process and seeing ideas come to life,” Mitchell said.

GHC also offers a film studies pathway that is geared more toward film theory. This pathway is more traditional and geared toward careers in writing, directing, criticism, journalism, and marketing for students wishing to continue their education progressing toward a bachelor’s degree.

ART • COMMUNICATION • ENGLISH • FILM STUDIES • FILM PRODUCTION • FOREIGN LANGUAGE • GRAPHIC DESIGN • JOURNALISM • MUSIC • MUSIC BUSINESS highlands.edu |5 highlands.edu |5

Entrepreneurship pathway helps students begin and grow their business Budding entrepreneurs can now gain and hone the skills necessary to imagine, create, and run a successful venture thanks to GHC’s new entrepreneurship pathway that launched in the 2021 spring semester.

Currently, the entrepreneurship pathway, which is housed under the School of Business and Professional Studies, is geared toward individuals who may not need nor want a full bachelor’s degree in order to get started on their new business venture.

In this pathway, students will take a hands-on approach to starting a business and will have constructed a comprehensive business plan upon completion.

“Students will tackle real world challenges through experiential learning,” Assistant Professor of Business Administration Shanika Wright-Turner said. “They will have the opportunity to hear from successful business leaders, and they will also participate in the GHC Charger Innovation Challenge that is a student-based competition similar to the popular TV show ‘Shark Tank.’”

The plan to bring this type of program to communities across northwest Georgia is important to the faculty at GHC. “Innovation is the vital spark of our economy.

This includes not only the ideas that launch new businesses, but those that improve existing ones,” Dean of School of Business and Professional Studies Melanie Largin said. “In GHC’s role as an economic driver for our region, we saw the need to implement a program that could graduate students with the tools they Michelle Douglas needed to bring

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innovative ideas into fruition quickly.”

The pathway is initially being taught via an eClassroom format with plans to later offer additional class options. “eClassroom is different than typical online instruction,” Largin said. “With an eClassroom, you meet with an instructor and participate in activities and lecture in real time. This format also gives you an opportunity to ask questions of your professor and interact with your peers.”

Wright-Turner and Assistant Professor of Business Administration and Economics Oris Guillaume both developed courses for the pathway and will be teaching various courses. Both are faculty with industry knowledge and experience in entrepreneurship.

“In addition, the content of our program has been guided by a successful entrepreneur, Mr. Pat Manna,” Largin said. “Mr. Manna initiated – from ‘zero’ to ‘breaking critical mass’ – three startup companies, with one culminating in an initial public offering. He also advised business programs at the Citadel, the College of Charleston, Fordham University, and New York University. Additionally, Manna has helped GHC launch the Charger Innovation Challenge and begin development of a mentor network.”

Largin added that though the program is perfect for those who want to start a business, it is also designed for anyone looking to launch innovative changes at their own companies.

“Our goal is to equip our students with the tools to start a small business or continue growing their venture,” Wright-Turner said. “You can start or improve a business based on any concept you’re passionate about, given that there is a need in the market, you have an entrepreneurial mindset, and you grow from your mistakes.”

Taking it to the next level

Michelle Douglas, of Rome, enrolled in the entrepreneurship pathway because she wanted to take her business to the next level.

“I already have my own home-cleaning business, but I wasn’t really sure what to do to take it further,” Douglas said. “When I heard about the entrepreneurship pathway, I knew it was meant for me to enroll in the program.”

She described a “light bulb” moment occurred during a class discussion.

“I was talking about my cleaning business and

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL STUDIES ideas were being thrown around about how I could incorporate my own cleaning products,” Douglas said.

“So, now I can provide cleaning services, but also sell my clients my products which is another source of income.”

Douglas’ journey as an entrepreneur began when she was cleaning offices for a friend’s mother that led to a referral for cleaning a home. Shortly thereafter, more and more referrals came rolling in.

“I started out cleaning for extra income, but over the past couple years I have realized that this is my passion and what I want to do,” Douglas said. “I love to clean, so why not make a business out of it?”

Douglas said not only does the pathway help her to learn strategies and generate new ideas for expanding her business, but it has helped her gain a new perspective as a business owner.

“This whole experience has been an amazing journey. I feel empowered,” Douglas said. “GHC has taken me to a whole new level by educating me in a field that I was already in. There’s always more to learn and room to grow when it comes to your career.”

Bringing ideas to life Cassidy Hite, of White, has always had business ideas and has wanted to be her own boss.

“My concept for my business is to take school buses, convert them into RVs, and rent them out for a luxury vacation you can take anywhere,” Hite said.

For some help getting from point A to point B, Hite enrolled in GHC’s entrepreneurship pathway.

Hite said the support of her instructor, Assistant Professor of Business Administration Shanika WrightTurner, has been paramount to her success in the program and gaining the confidence to move forward with her business idea.

“In my first day of class I knew this is where I belonged and where my life was meant to go,” Hite said.

Although the program just launched in spring 2021, Wright-Turner said the program is off to a strong start.

“Students enrolled in BUSA 2600, Intro to Entrepreneurship, have been working diligently on their ventures,” Wright-Turner said. “They are gearing up to compete in the Charger Innovation Challenge and working on the art of ‘pitching’ their ideas.”

This process included a class visit from Raychel Jones, entrepreneur and creator of “I Beat Daily”, The Official Producer Battle, and co-founder of PenGame ATL. Jones attended the class and gave each student feedback on their pitch.

“Students were thrilled to have a successful entrepreneur work with them individually,” Wright-Turner said. “In the near future, we are looking to add a mentorship program that matches each student enrolled in the Entrepreneurship Pathway with a leader/entrepreneur in their area of interest. We are very excited to see the program up and running and look forward to welcoming more students in the fall.”

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION • LOGISTICS & SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT • HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT • ENTREPRENEURSHIP • COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS • FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY Cassidy Hite

highlands.edu highlands.edu | 7| 7

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS

GHC launches STEM partnership at regional lake and nature preserve GHC’s School of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) recently began a working relationship with The Margaret and Luke Pettit Preserve to help develop long-term sustainable research projects on the preserve. In addition, students are engaging in undergraduate research opportunities to study the water quality of Lake Allatoona.

“During spring semester, two of our biology faculty converted their Majors Biology Labs into CourseBased Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE),” Chair of Biology Jason Christian said. “In a CURE

8 | Spring/Summer 2020 8 | Spring/Summer 2021

course, students are given some parameters to align with but then allowed to develop, implement, and complete their own research on a topic they choose.

CUREs are very high-impact practices in education that give real-world, hands-on experience to STEM students early in their academic careers.”

Pettit Preserve The executive director of the Pettit Preserve, Billy Fleetwood, contacted GHC President Don Green in fall 2020 to see if GHC would be interested in forming a relationship with the preserve.

“I have thought that the preserve would be a great place for GHC to be involved in, but hadn’t had the opportunity to pursue this,” Fleetwood said. “We have had other area colleges come out for various field trips in the past, but not to the extent of this partnership.”

Christian is also enthusiastic about the partnership.

“The preserve gets a number of things that can help them grow their own outreach events, a wealth of data about the natural resources on site, and with multiple class and student projects running concurrently there are new things being developed for the preserve,” Christian said.

As the relationship grows, GHC will be moving beyond only CURE courses and hopes to have students beginning individual undergraduate research projects.

In the field of STEM, undergraduate research can be incredibly desirable for students looking to go to graduate schools or some professional programs like medical or veterinary schools.

“Our ability to begin offering these experiences very early in a student’s academic career will give them a leg up after graduation in whatever pathway they want to pursue,” Christian said.

Each of GHC’s faculty has an area of expertise that they will use to guide students in those areas. Projects at the preserve may include research involving wildlife, plants, or general ecosystem questions.

“For those students who have chosen a pathway that falls within the world of STEM, we know that research and hands-on experience is invaluable to their future success,” Christian said. “The partnership with

the Pettit Preserve gives us an opportunity to provide those experiences right in our own backyard. As GHC and the preserve’s relationship has just begun, we are starting slowly so that we can be more strategic in the activities and projects we undertake at the preserve.”

Currently, the Principles of Biology 1 and 2 courses are utilizing the preserve for the CURE lab component of the course. In this case, students in both courses are designing and ultimately implementing a research project.

Students will be doing projects on birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, pollinators, plants, and water quality.

“As time goes on, we hope to continue to grow the types of research projects and experiments out on the preserve,” Christian said, adding he hopes the students’ research will be beneficial for both the preserve and the college. “The data, surveys, images, and more that we collect may help the preserve with its school outreach programs, with forest or wildlife management practices, marketing, or a number of other possibilities. We are very excited to be able to work with the Pettit Preserve to educate future generations of students as well as help be good stewards of a valuable resource in our service area.”

Lake Allatoona Physical Sciences Chair Erin Shufro explained that students will be completing a chemical analysis to determine various levels in the water at Lake

Allatoona, such as the amount of dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH of the water as well levels of coliform bacteria.

The partnership began when the Lake Allatoona Association (LAA) reached out to GHC for help with their water research goals. The LAA is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to raise awareness and protect the lake.

“This partnership benefits both of us,” Shufro said. “It was the perfect opportunity to get our students involved in the community and to gain research experience at the same time. We did work with LAA to gain access to some of the sites on the lake.”

Unlike the undergraduate research project at Pettit Preserve, the research at Lake Allatoona has a broader scope in terms of student involvement, with the research project not being tied to a specific course.”

“We are accepting all students who want to participate in undergraduate research no matter what their background,” Shufro said. “I want all our students to experience the fun of research and gain the skills that we can teach them.”

She said this includes field experience, learning data management, gaining laboratory skills, and practicing teamwork.

“Although research is a vital component to this project, it’s not just about the research itself,” Shufro said. “It is also about the students and helping them to be successful in the future.”

AGRICULTURE • BIOLOGY • MATHEMATICS • COMPUTER SCIENCE • CHEMISTRY • ENGINEERING • GEOLOGY • PHYSICS highlands.edu | 9

Human Services offers rewarding internships in community service facilities As one of GHC’s oldest programs, the Associate in Human Services degree is continuing to see a positive career outlook with a projected 17% increase in growth within the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor.

“There are opportunities in that field, and there is a lot of need within our communities for it,” Division Chair for the School of Social Sciences and Education Christina Wolfe said. “Sometimes students who major in psychology, for example, do so because they say they want to engage in positions that are actually human service roles.”

All students who receive an Associate in Human Services must take a minimum of six credit hours in an internship, and most do their internships with community partners.

Wolfe said students in the human services program are very passionate about their service and will sometimes ask if they can do their internship at an organization for which they already volunteer.

For example, students do field placements at local community outreach organizations including various regional drug courts and community service boards such as Tranquility House, Restoration Rome, Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Make-a-Wish Foundation, Transitions Hospice, NWGA Center of Independent Living, American Cancer Society, and Bartow County Drug Court.

Other students may intern at GHC. GHC student and Cartersville resident Trecia Fannin, for example, interns with Student Support Services.

Although beginning an internship amid a global pandemic has its share of hurdles, Fannin said the

opportunity to learn while working in the field of human services has been rewarding.

“I have had the privilege of working with the Charger Food Pantry that is available for all students currently enrolled,” Fannin said. “I have also jumped on board to help breathe life into “Thrive@GHC” by developing promotional videos for student information. Going forward, we will continue to introduce Thrive and all that entails: Counseling Support, Charger Food Pantry, Professional Clothing Closet, and Career Exploration.”

“Thrive@GHC” is an initiative created to promote a lifestyle of holistic wellness which allows students to connect to a continuously monitored mental health support line, online-based cognitive behavioral therapy, and additional psychiatric services.

She said working in Student Support Services helped her to

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gain perspective on the myriad opportunities available to one who pursues a career in human services.

“When I started back to school after being out a significant amount of time, it was my intent to focus on the legal part of human services because of my educational background,” Fannin said. “However, after spending time in classes on campus, volunteering, and accumulating hours, I became interested in working with older teens or young adults/college students. Doing my internship at the Floyd campus has afforded me the ability to not only help in the field where my heart and passion are, but I also get to have some hands-on experience with students. It’s a win-win.”

The Associate in Human Services is a career degree, similar to an Associate in Nursing or an Associate in Dental Hygiene. This means that graduates can go on to enter a career HUMAN SERVICES – continued on page 13

Trecia Fannin

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES & EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree provides opportunity to advance in criminal justice career

Kevin Morang has been working in criminal justice for a number of years. He served as a police officer for the Rome Police Department from 2005 to 2016. Currently, he works for the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) and teaches courses for the Georgia Highlands College-based Georgia Police Academy.

Morang said when it came to opening up more opportunities for his career, he looked no further than GHC’s criminal justice program.

“The main reason I enrolled in GHC’s criminal justice program was for more opportunities,” Morang said. “Several years ago, when I began my career in law enforcement, I thought I would start my career at a local agency, like in Rome, and then move on to the state level or federal level. But [I knew] getting a degree would help me advance in my career.”

Morang earned his Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice at GHC in 2005, and he is now pursing his bachelor’s in criminal justice at GHC, as well.

GHC’s criminal justice program is led by professors Randy Green and Greg Sumner who have more than 50 years combined experience in policing and teaching with a real-world perspective of the field.

“We are able to share our prior experience working in law enforcement to help students see a more detailed picture of what their career will look like and how their degree will help them personally and professionally,” Sumner said. “We don’t want our students to just understand the theoretical and public policy aspects of criminal justice, we want them to see how it is applied in reality.”

Sumner’s experience learning from members of law enforcement during his time as a student helped shape the way he engages with his students.

“When I was earning my degree in criminal justice, I had instructors that had worked in the field,” Sumner said. “They lived it and breathed it, and that is what drew myself and Randy to wanting to give back and help others to build the skills necessary for a career in law enforcement.”

Morang said he appreciated how Sumner and Green utilized their experience in law enforcement to bal-

ance how the associate degree program is taught inside the classroom. Morang stated student engagement in the program is a unique experience since students have a range of interests and backgrounds, from those interested in law enforcement to those who are planning to one day go to law school.

After completing the associate degree, which is taught both in-person and online, students are encourKevin Morang aged to complete the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. The bachelor’s program is offered online through USG eMajor. The program is taught through 8-week courses entirely online and is a collaborative degree with Dalton State College and Georgia Southwestern State University.

Green and Sumner are advisors for the bachelor’s degree program.

“We want to make sure our students are educated about the process and their options from day one to graduation,” Sumner said. eMajor degrees are designed specifically for nontraditional students and include several benefits and student success resources in addition to those already available through GHC. For current members of law enforcement, both the associate degree and the bachelor’s degree provide credit for prior learning (CPL). CPL can include courses completed through the Georgia Police Academy which offers training on the GHC Floyd campus.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE • EDUCATION • HISTORY • HUMAN SERVICES • PHILOSOPHY • POLITICAL SCIENCE • PSYCHOLOGY • SOCIOLOGY highlands.edu | 11

Experts and tailored programs of success help to guide students in exercise pathway In order to ensure students in GHC’s exercise science pathway have a clear idea of what their academic and professional lives will entail, students will interview career professionals and work to develop a program of success.

“Students can engage with a wide variety of experts, such as physical therapists, medical doctors, occupational therapists, physician assistants, registered dietitians, strength and conditioning coaches, personal trainers, gym owners, and other health professionals,” Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and Wellness Jonathan Howard said.

For example, Jennifer Stocks, who serves as a physical therapist and director of Advance Rehabilitation’s Cedartown location, has donated her time to help advise students. She has been in the field for five years, serving as director for the past two, and has received a bachelor’s degree in exercises science from Berry College and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Passionate about physical therapy and growing the field, Stocks felt it was important to educate students about the field by providing an opportunity for firsthand experience.

“My own professional career started as interning in various health-related fields to determine which path I wanted to pursue,” Stocks said. “Through the internships, I was able to obtain jobs as a physical therapy aide which helped in my application process to physical therapy school as I had experience in the field.”

Stocks said students have asked well-informed questions regarding the field and the requirements to

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pursue a career in physical therapy.

“They take the advice provided during the experience to help direct their future career path,” Stocks said.

“The experience also provides the students with real-life experience in a chosen field to help them determine which career path to pursue.”

When students begin their Introduction to Physical Activity and Disease course, they are required to meet with an expert and interview them about their profession. In addition, students must create a program of success.

“The program of success is where students develop a plan to achieve their career goals,” Howard said. “Students will have to build a list of classes that they will complete over the next two years and when they will take each class.”

Students will also develop a general timeline to help track their goals.

“This includes when they will start observation hours, when to sit for certification exams, when to apply for graduate school, when to get an internship, orginizations to join to make professional contacts, and other various activities that apply to their specific goals,” Howard said. “This could even be when to start a business application if they want to own their own gym.”

While each program of success will be different for each student, the objective remains the same: to help students see a clear path toward accomplishing their goals.

Howard said there are many benefits to students meeting with an expert in their field. This engagement opportunity is in addition to GHC’s Quest for Success

SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES advising program in which students accepted in 2019 or later are assigned their own academic advisor.

“Meeting with both an academic advisor and a professional in your field of study is great. An academic advisor guides you in the classes you need to graduate at GHC and how to move to your bachelor degree,” Howard said, adding this guidance is very important as course and requirements change and may be different depending on what students are trying to achieve. “The expert in the field can help students with the information that can only be given by someone that has gone through the process.”

Howard said the information shared by experts could be as simple as what elective courses will be more helpful as students move through their academic and professional career, to when is the best time to look for

internship and which kinds might be the most helpful.

Additionally, meeting with an expert can be the start to building professional contacts that are key in the world of health.

“Most specific pathways in the health sciences are very small, most people know and help each other,” Howard said. “Building a network is a great way to open up opportunities for students in the way of jobs, shadowing experiences, and internships.”

Professionals are also great at giving insight into the industry and giving a true perspective.

“Experts sharing their experiences will help students early in their education determine if the career they think they want to pursue is right for them so they can make the best choice for themselves and not waste time or money,” Howard said.

simulations of what they would experience in the field of human services. upon graduation. However, many students go on to “The human services classes are very hands on,” complete a bachelor’s in human services at other instituWolfe said. “One of the required classes for all of the tions. students in the program prior to obtaining an internship As a discipline, human services grew out of the deinis a class on interviewing and active listening.” stitutionalization movement of the early 1970s in which Wolfe said student interns and graduates of the prothe U.S. moved away from institutionalizing individuals gram do not provide counseling but with differential abilities and plachave responsibilities such as taking ing them within the community. down information and finding out Human services is centered around the needs of the individual in order community-based resources and to match them with available sertraining members of the community vices. to provide those resources, rather There are many careers avail-Wolfe than an institutionalized setting. able for someone with an Associate “A lot of people see human in Human Services. Roles in the field include commuservices as a pre-social work degree, which is not always nity outreach worker, psychiatric aide, teacher assistant, the case. Becoming a social worker could be an end personal care aide, social service assistant, mental health goal, but human services is not the same as social work,” aide, and more.

Wolfe said. “The way I describe human services is it is Students from any GHC location can participate in the applied side of more theoretical and research-based the pathway. While the program was traditionally based social science pathways, such as psychology, sociology, at the Floyd campus, the program has expanded its reach and social work. Human services is about empowering through online and eClassroom sections as well as by individuals.” While human services does incorporate broadening which sites offer the courses. For example, theory, the overall intent of the program is applying Introduction to Social Services SOCI 1110 has been those skills to benefit clients within the community. In offered at Cartersville, Marietta, Douglasville, Floyd, the classroom, students are continuously engaging in and online in the past two years.

HUMAN SERVICES – continued from page 10

“Human services is about empowering individuals.”

DENTAL HYGIENE • EXERCISE SCIENCE • NURSING • PHYSICAL EDUCATION • RECREATION ADMINISTRATION • SPORT MANAGEMENT highlands.edu | 13

Campus News

Record graduation, economic impact increases at GHC Despite a slight decrease in fall enrollment, Georgia Highlands College is reporting record graduation numbers and a new economic impact of over $181 million.

GHC awarded 943 degrees during its commemorative 50th graduation ceremony held virtually in July 2020, which also kicked off the college’s 50th anniversary year. This was a 14% increase in graduates over the previous graduation.

In addition to celebrating GHC’s 50th class since the college’s inception as Floyd Junior College in 1970, GHC reported a significant increase in its economic impact. GHC has seen steady economic impact growth for the last five years and now holds the second-highest economic impact among state colleges in Georgia.

The University System of Georgia (USG) recently released its newest total economic impact on the state of Georgia. Of the more than $18 billion reported by the USG as a whole, GHC’s contribution was over $181 million.

This USG report is for Fiscal Year 2019 and is

conducted by the Selig Center for Economic Growth in the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.

GHC’s exact economic impact $181,400,770.

This represents an increase of over $4 million from the Fiscal Year 2018 report.

According to the USG report, a Class of 2019 graduate is predicted to earn $888,563 more over the course of their career as a result of their degree from a USG institution. Additionally, the annual economic impact study revealed every dollar spent by USG institutions generates an additional 47 cents for the regional economy.

The USG also recently reported enrollment numbers showing an increase in overall enrollment in the system despite a slight decline of 7% among all state college enrollment. These enrollment numbers were released in the USG’s “Fall 2020 Semester Enrollment Report” which breaks down enrollment by institution, class, race and ethnicity, in-state, outof-state and international students, as well as gender and age.

New 24/7 hotline among well-being student support programs now provided Thanks to a new initiative by the University System of Georgia (USG), students at Georgia Highlands College now have access to additional mental health support services.

The USG launched a comprehensive plan in November 2020 to significantly expand student mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Kemp announced in August that Georgia will allocate $11.5 million of the Governors Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funding – set aside by the federal CARES Act – to support mental health and student support services within the USG. Titled “Thrive@GHC”, students can now connect to a continuously monitored mental health support line, online-based cognitive behavioral therapy, and additional psychiatric services.

“Students can engage in no-cost telehealth and in-person treatment sessions provided by licensed

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mental health physicians, virtual psychiatric clinics to offer assessment and medication management, personal student navigators to assist with referral coordination and support, as well as a self-directed Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) program,” Director of Student Support Services Angie Wheelus said.

The 24/7 mental health support line, 1-833-8550082, is for in-the-moment support and direction on the next steps a student should take when seeking mental health resources.

ICARE is a research-supported, mobile-friendly, and self-guided cognitive behavioral training (ICBT) developed specifically for college students experiencing depression, anxiety, or both, who do not need psychotherapy.

In addition, there is FasPsych, free psychiatric THRIVE– continued on page 15

GHC’s faculty have been hard at work applying for and implementing a number of Affordable Learning Georgia Grants with the goal of ensuring that every GHC student has access to a quality, affordable college education.

To date, over half a million dollars in grants has been awarded to GHC faculty and has been used to directly benefit thousands of students.

GHC was listed in a press release by OpenStax, a publisher based at Rice University, as a top college in Georgia and as one of the top 10 colleges in the nation serving the most students with the adoption of free college textbooks in the 2017-2018 school year.

The University of Georgia and GHC were the only institutions in Georgia to make the list.

GHC’s faculty have been working since fall 2015 to expand Open Education Resources (OER) courses each semester. OER course conversions are aided by the University System of Georgia’s Affordable Learning Georgia (ALG) initiative which promotes student success by providing cost-free alternatives to expensive textbooks.

Currently, GHC faculty have received 46 grants from ALG, but the effort to do more is still going strong. GHC’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) has recently launched a LibGuide to support GHC instructors interested in applying for ALG grants.

“Navigating the process for an ALG grant can be challenging, especially since it differs from school to school based on institutional requirements,” Librarian Susanna Smith said. “This guide brings together all our local policies as well as basic FAQs and a list of all GHC open educational resources.”

Rachel Ruppercht, an instructional designer for CETL, said many GHC faculty and students know about the benefits of ALG grants.

“ALG grants are a great asset for both GHC faculty and students,” Ruppercht said. “They provide financial support for faculty to develop low- and no-cost alternatives to expensive textbooks. Those alternatives make a college education even more affordable for GHC students, which helps set them up for success.”

The online ALG information site, affordablelearninggeorgia.org, gives details on the grants, how to apply, how to use the grants effectively, and more.

THRIVE– continued from page 14

services for currently enrolled GHC students. These services include evaluation as well as medication and prescription management. The cost of any prescribed medications is not covered by the service.

“Students have reported increasing feelings of depression, anxiety, and loneliness, but it’s not just the pandemic causing an increase in the need for mental health resources,” Wheelus said. “Students

are concerned about school, finances, housing, and much more.”

By clicking “The Wellness Hub” at Thrive@ GHC (sss.highlands.edu/thrive-ghc), GHC students can also utilize an app and an online wellness magazine with educational content, self-help tools, and more resource links. Additionally, GHC students may contact GHC’s Counseling Services at sss.highlands. edu for scheduling and referral.

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Campus News

Faculty earn over half a million in grants to help students succeed in the classroom

Campus News

Three vice presidents retire in 2021 Three employees in leadership roles at Georgia Highlands College retired from the University System of Georgia (USG) at the beginning of February in 2021 after serving several years in the system and with GHC. These vice presidents directed the work of multiple divisions within the institution.

Jeff Patty served at GHC since 1990. His work at the college spurred the development of a highly respected information technology network and division.

“In my 30 years with the college, I’ve seen tremendous change in what we now call information technology (IT), through the advent of the internet, cell phones, email, web, and a host of other new technologies,” Patty said. “Over that time our IT team grew into an awesome team of talented individuals capable of creating or solving anything technologyrelated that came our way.”

Ginni Siler, whose employment began in the fall of 2009, worked to elevate the level of functioning and to modernize – from a technology perspective – the Office of Human Resources at GHC while building strong collaborations across the USG. “I am very proud of the progress the USG, Division of Human Resources and institutional chief human resource officers, as well as the GHC Office of Human Resources have made during my time with the system,” Siler said. “We have some extremely knowledgeable and dedicated Human Resource employees who work tirelessly for student and employee success. It is my hope that GHC and USG leadership continue to pursue movement toward appropriate compensation for the talented GHC employees who exhibit such care and passion for our students every day.”

Mary Transue worked to raise awareness and support for the college as well as student scholarships

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Jeff Patty Vice President for Information Technology & Chief Information Officer

Ginni Siler Vice President for Human Resources & Chief Human Resource Officer

Mary Transue Senior Vice President for Advancement & Enrollment Management / Executive Director of the GHC Foundation Inc.

and programs through the GHC Foundation since she began in 2014. She worked within the USG since 2007.

While at GHC, she also worked to reinvigorate GHC’s marketing, expand the college’s capacity for organizational communications, and enhance institutional support through her work with government relations.

“During my time with GHC, I have had the privilege of working with some of the most dedicated faculty and staff I know. The focus has always been on student success, keeping things as cost effective as possible, and ensuring an excellent opportunity for students to obtain their degree,” Transue said. “Even during the challenges of this past year, faculty and staff worked tirelessly to help keep students on track with as little disruption as possible and took extra steps to make sure students knew they were supported through the changes not only in the academic setting, but also through their personal challenges as well.”

“You learn a lot about your colleagues when they are faced with navigating the type of budget and health challenges 2020 delivered across the country,” she added, “and what I learned was there is no question that as the college continues to grow, I know the focus on success will not waiver. I am proud of how GHC operates and to have been a part of the institution.”

In a congratulatory email to the leadership members retiring from the system, GHC President Don Green said “[I want to] thank each of them for strengthening the college and elevating the efforts of their teams and areas in Human Resources, Advancement, and Information Technology during their time at GHC.” “Enough cannot truly be said about how much each of these individuals have accomplished for our college,” he added. “I’ll miss their expertise, guidance, leadership, and above all else, their absolute commitment to our students, faculty, staff, and college community.”

Georgia Highlands College graduates now have a way to take and use a certified electronic diploma wherever they need it. In addition to receiving a printed version of their diploma, graduates now have the option to receive a duplicate CeDiploma.

A CeDiploma is an official, secure, and verifiable PDF version of a diploma that allows for unlimited sharing with family, friends, employers, and social media, as well as proof of education with only the important details.

Each credential provides a unique 12-digit Certified Electronic Document Identifier called a CeDiD. The CeDiD allows for instant proof of a graduate’s accomplishment using Validation Services which can be used a number of ways such as enhancing a resume with a CeDiD and validation URL to a CeDiploma.

Registrar Ed Rosser said the CeDiploma is a win-win for students, employers, and the college.

“As advancement in technology grows, GHC works to stay competitive with the new ways of delivering services to our students that give them an advantage in the job market,” Rosser said. “A company can use the student’s CeDiD code and validate the student’s degree in seconds on the link on our

website.”

GHC has partnered with Paradigm to offer this new option for graduates.

Benefits of a CeDiploma include: • Exact Duplicate – A CeCredential is always an exact duplicate of the paper credential, leading to greater confidence in the marketplace.

• Unique Identifier – A CeCredential always has a unique serial number that can be shared and vali dated without providing the actual digital credential.

• TruSeal – The seal that is securely printed on a paper diploma is woven into the very fabric of a CeCredential.

• Visual Cues – Borrowed from the banking industry, a CeCredential contains immediate visual cues to provide visual confidence in the credential.

• Real-time Validation – The CeCredential is the only digital credential that allows real-time validation through the issuing institution’s website.

Visit commencement.highlands.edu for more information on the new CeDiploma.

GHC nursing students recruited to help administer covid vaccine Through a coordinated effort with local healthcare facilities, students in the Georgia Highlands College nursing program began using their skills at local vaccination clinics this spring to help administer the COVID-19 vaccine.

“All first-year and second-year nursing students have the opportunity to help in this process,” Dean of Health Sciences Michelle Boyce said.

Nursing students take additional training modules related to safety and administration of vaccines while also wearing personal protective equipment as normally worn in labs and other clinical settings.

GHC partnered with the Georgia Department of Public Health in the Northwest Health District and with WellStar Health System to aid vaccination clinics throughout Northwest Georgia and Metro Atlanta.

After Assistant Director of Nursing Shea Walker was asked by the Georgia Department of Public Health to assist in the administration process, the nursing school agreed without hesitation.

Boyce said having nursing students in the vaccine rollout process reflects GHC students’ commitment to helping the community.

“Our students have learned to adapt and work through a crisis,” Boyce said. “This partnership to aid in the vaccine rollout also helps to spotlight the role community and public health nurses serve.”

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GHC now offers certified electronic diplomas to graduates

Campus News

submitted photo

National book award winner of John Lewis trilogy speaks at virtual event Andrew Aydin, the creator and co-author of the graphic novel memoir series “MARCH,” spoke to GHC students in January during a virtual event. The National Book Award winning story focuses on the real-life experiences of late U.S Congressman John Lewis.

Aydin’s trilogy showcases the civil rights movement and is told from the perspective of Lewis. The congressman is best known for his chairmanship of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and for leading the march that was halted by police violence on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, in 1965, a landmark event in the history of the civil rights movement that became known as “Bloody Sunday.”

The virtual student event was moderated by staff members of the GHC student newspaper, Six Mile Post.

Aydin spoke about his experience growing up as a Turkish-American youth in Atlanta, working to survive amid poverty, and being raised by a single mother. He told students, faculty, and staff how he was able to accomplish his goals, largely thanks to a mentorship with Lewis and by following the values instilled in him by his mother.

“The idea that you can come from what we called ’99 cent hamburger poor’ and stand on stage with a civil rights icon and hold up your comic book and say, ‘I deserve to be here’ – that was the highest achievement I have had,” Aydin said.

Aydin is a New York Times bestselling author, a National Book Award winner, a Robert F. Kennedy Book Award Honoree, a Printz Award winner, a Sibert Medal winner, a Walter Dean Myers Award winner,

18 | Spring/Summer 2021

a two-time Eisner Award winner, and the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors.

Reading comics from a young age and often having to borrow them because he could not afford to purchase them, Aydin said he was interested in comic books because the stories were often about “people doing the right thing because it was the right thing to do.”

“In comic books, these are characters that have gone through extreme trauma but still found a way to help people,” Aydin said.

Aydin then used that theme of altruistic action to co-author “MARCH” alongside Lewis and graphic novelist Nate Powell. According to the website of its publisher, www.penguinrandomhouse.com, the “MARCH” series is a “vivid first-hand account of John Lewis’ lifelong struggle for civil and human rights, meditating in the modern age on the distance traveled since the days of Jim Crow and segregation.”

While based on Lewis’ personal story, it also reflects upon the lows and highs of the broader civil rights movement. Limited copies of “MARCH” were made available for students to take home.

“I think it’s just great for students to talk to someone who worked so closely with a person who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King and was on the frontlines of the civil rights movement, what it was like working with them and getting their first-hand perspective on that experience,” Co-Curricular and Transition Programs Coordinator Clifton Puckett said.

“On another level, it can be inspiring for students to engage with someone who’s taken an idea and passion and put it into a finished product.”

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The annual Highlands WritPoor Sucker” and the non-fiction ers Conference (HWC) organized book “The Freshman Year at an

by GHC faculty and staff made a HBCU.” In addition, the event virtual return this year. The event featured Brian Oliu and Jason took place in February and was McCall. free and open to the public.

“Brian Oliu and Jason McCall “The HWC is unique in that it write in many different forms and offers very close encounters with across a wide range of subjects, nationally recognized professional including basketball, wrestling, writers across a wide range of video games, and donuts,” Lindgenres,” Division Chair for School berg said. “In addition, Desravines of Humanities Jessica Lindberg Mackleen’s 2018 directorial debut, said. “Attendees of the HWC the movie ‘Smoke,’ is currently R LL GI speak highly of how down-to-earth ig on Amazon Prime.”

O hla A H IG H LA N DS C e 20 streaming our conference is and how casual Student group Brother 2 nds c n e r and open it is to all levels of writBrother hosted the workshop W rite r s C o n fe ers.”

by McCall, while the Student Writers featured at this year’s Engagement Office sponsored the conference included Kelly DeLong, Clark Atlanta conference. The Creative Writing Club also particiUniversity instructor and author of the novel “The pated in the event.

School of STEM hosts annual robotics tournament The FIRST LEGO League Challenge returned to Georgia Highlands College virtually in March as teams of children ages 9-14 were challenged to think like scientists and engineers while utilizing technology and mathematics.

GHC hosted the virtual event via Zoom where participants were challenged to build, test, and program an autonomous robot using LEGO technology in order to solve a set of missions in the

Robot Game.

Thanks to the generous support of the Bartow County School System (BCSS), the number of teams has doubled since last year’s competition. BCSS provided funding for the start-up of nearly 10 new teams, including registration fees, purchase of a robot and accessory kit, construction of game table, and more.

Professor of Biology Sharryse Henderson said the FIRST LEGO League Challenge is an affordable and engaging way for students to interact with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and apply the content and skills they are learning in school to real-world challenges.

“Not only can tournaments such as this allow students

an opportunity to showcase their work, but it also helps students to gain and strengthen a number of 21st-century skills, including critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, and leadership,” Henderson said.

Although the transition to a virtual format created a different experience, the event was still a success.

“It isn’t easy to replicate the energy and excitement of a faceto-face competition in a virtual format,” Henderson said. “Nevertheless, this tournament provided teams a chance to shine and show off what they have learned and invented during this particularly tough school year.”

The FIRST LEGO theme this year was “RePLAY.” Award categories include Robot Game, Robot Design, Innovation Project, Core Values, Rising Star, and Grand Champion.

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Highlands Writers Conference returned in free virtual format this year

Campus News

Ledbetter receives leadership award GHC’s Bachelor of Business mance.

Administration Program (BBA) GHC Campus Dean for CartersCoordinator Mecole Ledbetter was ville Leslie Johnson nominated Lednamed a recipient of the Cartersvillebetter for the award.

Bartow County Chamber of Com“When the call for nominations merce’s 2020 IMPACT Awards. went out, Mecole immediately came According to the Chamber’s to mind. Her impact on GHC, the website, the annual IMPACT Awards local workforce and our educational are designed to recognize emerging community makes her the perfect leaders within the Chamber commucandidate,” Johnson said. “In her nity. These individuals are “leading role as BBA Program Coordinator, the field in their line of work and are she helps build a successful program making a significant difference in that meets the needs of our students their community through their service and our workforce. She supports the Mecole Ledbetter to others.”

Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of “The Chamber’s IMPACT Award embodies the Commerce as chair of the Adult Leadership Bartow very nature of GHC as an institution by capturing its program and gives back to the community through her ability to nurture and develop leaders from within, as work mentoring K-12 students.” well as GHC’s significant contributions to the commuJohnson said the IMPACT Award is a wonderful nity through continued service,” Ledbetter said. way to shed light on Mecole’s accomplishments and Ledbetter said her work as a program coordinaillustrates how highly regarded she is by the commutor at GHC allowed her to further develop leadernity and her GHC colleagues. ship skills through program development within the Ledbetter said she appreciates being named an realm of the college’s bachelor’s degree programs. In award recipient and was honored to be considered for addition, her role at GHC has provided community the distinction among other highly-skilled individuals outreach opportunities through service in areas such in the community. as committees, boards, leadership programs, and com“I was really surprised because I can only imagine munity service-learning projects. the number of amazing people who were nominated In order to be considered for this prestigious along with myself,” Ledbetter said. “I was also humaward, applicants must be under the age of 40 and bled by the announcement because I never do anyemployed by a Chamber Member organization. They thing with an expectation of recognition. It is always a should be professional leaders who have demonstrated commitment to the mission that I remain focused on.” a strong record of innovation and outstanding perfor-

Singing voice of Simba from Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ joins business speaker series GHC’s School of Business and Professional Studies continued its virtual Entrepreneur Speaker Series this spring with submitted photo actor and singer Jason Weaver whose credits include the 1991 TV miniseries “The Jackson’s: An American Dream,” and providing the singing voice of Simba in the 1994 film “The Lion King.”

The series, which was free and open to the public, also featured CEO, speaker, and author Casandra Austin-McDonald, as well as writer, entrepreneur, and creator J. Carter whose most recent endeavor is the free streaming TV platform Freeli TV. The Entrepreneur Speaker Series connects suc-

20 | Spring/Summer 2021

cessful entrepreneurs with students and the community to share stories and advice in a virtual format.

“Last semester’s Entrepreneur Speaker Series was very well received, and we are excited to offer this series again,” event moderator and Assistant Professor of Business Administration Shanika Wright-Turner said. “This semester the series featured entrepreneurs with fresh perspectives and those that talked about taking risks and bringing new ideas to life.”

Carter, who spoke in April, said he felt he had a responsibility to engage with students and help them learn about his path toward success. Carter’s newest project, Freeli TV, is the world’s first free linear streaming app offering multiple channels dedicated to SERIES – continued on page 21

Students at GHC recently named of advising is to see students gain one faculty and one staff member a renewed sense of clarity and as the college’s “Advising is Teachdetermination, helping them to see ing Award” winners. Students chose the clearest path to achieving their Assistant Professor of Biology Brandy goals.

Rogers, who was named “Faculty “Advising students is an imporAdvisor of the Year,” and Academic tant part of what faculty at GHC Advisor Josh Grant, who was named do,” Rogers said. She began advis“Professional Advisor of the Year.” ing students during her first year as “These award nominations are an instructor. “Advising students submitted by students,” Quality gives us the opportunity to encourEnhancement Program Coordinaage students, to help them see their tor Elizabeth Tanner said. “With the potential, and to help them realize nominations, we get to see all the that their dreams are within reach.

Brandy Rogers important ways staff and faculty adviFor me, being a part of a student’s sors have an impact on our students. journey and helping them design These nominations are an important and carry out their plans is very reminder of the quality and highrewarding.” caliber advising that a student receives GHC students chose Josh Grant when they come to GHC, and we as the “Professional Advisor of are helping students meet their eduthe Year.” Grant originally started cational goals and find a pathway to teaching until he discovered a pasgraduation.” sion to help students through advisThe “Advising is Teaching ing full time and now serves as a Award” program is part of GHC’s professional advisor. ongoing “Quest for Success” advising “After teaching for the betmission. ter part of a decade, I discovered The college’s Quality Enhancethat there was a whole profession ment Plan (QEP), titled “Quest for dedicated to helping students in the Josh Grant Success,” places advising at the foreways that I had been helping them front of student academic and personal success. outside of normal class work,” Grant said. “I could Quest for Success aims to increase the value of the spend all day helping students at the exact moment student experience at GHC by emphasizing advising when they needed help getting a clearer picture of as a core component of learning. By creating required what their options were and what they needed to do advising activities, GHC students participate in onto accomplish their goals. Teaching outside the classgoing, goal-focused advising, keeping them on the room – that’s what led me to professional advising.” path to graduation.

Both Rogers and Grant serve on GHC’s CartersGHC students chose Brandy Rogers as the “Facville site and see the recognition as an example of ulty Advisor of the Year.” Rogers is an assistant how GHC puts students first and how important qualprofessor of biology. She said her favorite aspect ity advising is at the college.

SERIES – continued from page 20

Black Culture through TV series, music videos, movies, sports, and more.

“I’m a big believer that when you give back, you get even more in return,” Carter said, “so it’s always been a mission of mine to help folks along their way just like I was helped along my way. When I was presented with an opportunity to be a part of this series, it was a no-brainer. I’d be disrespecting the folks who poured their knowledge and wisdom into me when I was a college student if I didn’t do the same.”

Carter added that participation in the Entrepreneurial Speaker Series is a valuable experience for the speakers as well.

“By letting students and viewers know about our newest venture, I hope to inspire them and offer them a blueprint for success,” Carter said. “In turn, speaking to young and talented people has a tendency to reenergize and inspire me to do more and be more.”

Visit ess.highlands.edu for more information on GHC’s entrepreneurship pathway.

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Campus News

Students honor advisors at GHC

submitted photos

Campus News

Stephen Harmon

Raul Madrid

Krystal Ellis

Trent Mull

Student academic team participates in regional competition A student academic team from one of GHC’s bachelor’s programs competed in the international Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) Case Competition in February.

Students in GHC’s logistics and supply chain management program were given the opportunity to test their supply chain knowledge and use their critical thinking and problem-solving skills to work on real-world challenges, said Assistant Professor for Logistics and Supply Chain Management Lucinda Montgomery.

The 2021 ASCM Case Competition is provided

by ASCM in collaboration with Deloitte Consulting LLP. Participating teams present solutions to an exciting end-to-end supply chain management problem as they compete for prize money and recognition. The case may involve distribution, logistics, sales and operations planning, inventory, and other operations management challenges.

Seven teams from GHC competed in the “College and University Round” of the national competition in October 2020. From that group of seven GHC teams, two entered into the “Virtual Qualifying Round” in November 2020. Of those two GHC teams that entered into the “Virtual Qualifying Round,” one team, led by student Stephen Harmon, advanced to the “Southeast Regional Round” on Feb. 20, 2021. Though unable to compete in the “Final Competition” in October 2021, she confirmed GHC’s team was in the Top 8 in our region, and out of over 300 participating colleges and universities, GHC was ranked in the Top 64 overall.

“Students were presented with a case, data

22 | Spring/Summer 2021

exhibits, a PowerPoint template, and judging rubric.

For this particular case, students had to answer three questions and scenarios pertaining to COVID19 and the impact on supply chains,” Montgomery said.

Students on the team were Stephen Harmon and Raul Madrid of Cartersville, along with Krystal Ellis of Acworth and Trent Mull of Rome. These students are enrolled at the Cartersville site and take classes remotely.

“The members of our team were surprised and excited to learn we would go on to compete in the regional round,” Harmon said. “We had put in a considerable amount of time outside of normal school hours to put our presentation together.

I could not be any prouder of my team and team members for the effort that they put into the ASCM case competition.”

Harmon said he and his team feel their classes helped prepare them for the competition, which in turn provided an opportunity to engage in some of the workplace scenarios that graduates of the Logistics and Supply Chain Management program may encounter.

“The course material from our first week in the BBA program through the present is highly applicable to the ASCM case competition,” Harmon said. “It also helped that the BBA program at GHC is not simply textbook learning. There are a lot of hands-on assignments and projects to apply the textbook learning to real-world current issues and situations.”

For GHC student Camille Brown, adapting to change, staying focused on goals, and putting in hard work to succeed are not the only attributes of a successful college student – you also have to have some fun.

Brown utilized all of these elements to create a TikTok video that won a recent TikTok Thursday challenge for the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Awareness Week. Brown serves as vice president of social media for GHC’s chapter of the international honor society, Alpha Psi Omicron. Inspired by a fellow classmate’s passion for PTK, Brown brought metaphors of hard work and personal growth to the small screen accompanied by the music of Michael Jackson.

“I knew that I wanted to show myself multitasking and working towards my goals because Phi Theta Kappa is all about perseverance, hard work, and the drive to be excellent,” Brown said. “I’ve always loved Michael Jackson, so eventually I had the idea of using his song ‘Workin’ Day and Night’ to harness the ultimate message of this honor society. Next thing you know, I found a sparkly glove and I was ready to groove while paying homage to him.”

In the video, Brown showcases a book from her World History class titled “The Silk Roads: A Brief History With Documents,” and a book from her World Literature class titled “The Norton Anthology: World Literature.”

submitted photo

“My World Literature book is pretty thick, so in showing it, I was illustrating that Phi Theta Kappa members are leaders who don’t take shortcuts,” Brown said. “When I was highlighting the books, I was showing that being a part of this honor society requires one to pay attention to detail and to be organized. When I was dancing in the video, I was showing that Phi Theta Kappa may be a lot of hard work, but it is also a lot of fun.”

The video also features Brown wearing a GHC sweatshirt to represent her daily life as a college student and PTK member and drinking coffee from a Batman mug to show being a PTK member and officer is a daily job.

“I have to work day and night to maintain my grades and to maintain the chapter’s page,” she said.

“Batman is my favorite superhero, so drinking from the mug as I work brings in something that entertains me as I work towards accomplishing goals.”

The video concludes with Brown taking a sigh of relief.

“It took me about two hours to produce the video just because I wanted to make sure that the different scenes flowed coherently, and the music was timed perfectly with my dance moves and accomplished tasks,” she said. “In other words, I wanted to make sure that the video was edited to the best of my ability so that it could conceptualize the work ethics of PTK members.”

Camille Brown is a business administration major who resides in Douglasville and currently attends classes online.

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for two-year colleges. Students who achieve a 3.50 cumulative GPA with at least 12 credit hours at Georgia Highlands College are invited to join. The GHC chapter is Alpha Psi Omicron and was chartered in January 1994.

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Campus News

Student wins national PTK TikTok challenge

Student Organization Spotlight

Six Mile Post wins first in state in multiple categories GHC’s student newspaper, the Six Mile Post (SMP), won three first-place awards from the Southern Regional Press Institute (SRPI) and a first-place award from the Georgia College Press Association (GCPA).

From the SRPI, the SMP brought home first-place awards for Best Website, Best Opinion or Editorial in the Editorial category, and Best Podcast or Internet Streamed Show. SMP received first place for Best Campus Community Service-Sports from the GCPA. “This year’s staff has only met in person one time this year and has still managed to produce quality, award-winning work that rivals previous years,” said SMP Faculty Advisor and Assistant Professor of Journalism and Communications Allison Hattaway. “These students have covered history and covered it well – from COVID-19 to stink bugs to the 2020 election.”

Julia Belew, who served as SMP Editor-in-Chief from August 2020 to February 2021, said she felt lucky to be surrounded by such talented writers at the SMP. For example, Belew cited the work of managing editor Lily Chesnut.

“Their pieces portrayed real journalism and I am so glad they got the recognition they deserved,” Belew said. “I am also proud of winning first place for Best Opinion or Editorial for our unsigned ‘Let’s get down with pronouns’ piece.”

The SRPI judges noted “bold, clear, and unapologetic position on a widely discussed and misunderstood topic” for the newspaper’s editorial titled “Let’s get down with pronouns” and cited individual reporters’ data-driven, creative, and eye-opening stories.

Current Editor-in-Chief Olivia Fortner, who is enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration program, said she is very proud of all the staffers at SMP. Due to COVID, the routine of writers and contributors meeting in person to discuss current events and campus news has been put on hold.

The SMP has been working remotely and communicating through Zoom which creates a daunting

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scenario for students who are taking on the challenge of covering campus news in addition to their responsibilities inside and outside of the classroom.

“Because of these changes, our staff is much smaller than it has been in submitted photo recent years,” Fortner said. “However, I am not surprised that we received these awards because I have witnessed, firsthand, the hard work and dedication all the staff have put in to maintain excellence.”

Taking on multiple roles had staffers and GHC journalism students like Brandon Dyer receiving awards for both writing and photography. Dyer won a second-place award for photography, as well as a second-place award for Best Column.

“The column that I wrote with my Sports Editor at the time, Bradley Singh, is one of my favorite pieces I have published for the Six Mile Post,” Dyer said.

The Six Mile Post team won the following awards: Southern Regional Press Institute Staff Awards: Best Website – 1st Best Opinion or Editorial – 1st Best Opinion or Editorial – 2nd Individual Awards: Best Podcast or Internet Streamed Show – 1st – Austin Williams and Kimberly Lyons Best News Story – 2nd – Lily Chestnut Best Features Story – 2nd – Lily Chestnut Best Features Story – 3rd – Michelle Hardin Best Opinion or Editorial – 3rd – Alexis Johnson Best Sports Story – 2nd – Trevin Wade Best News Photography – 2nd – Jackson Morris and Olivia Fortner Best News Photography – 3rd – Jackson Morris Best Features Photography – 3rd – Olivia Fortner SMP – continued on page 26

The GHC Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) chapter Alpha Psi Omicron has many reasons to be excited this semester.

Several members of the organization have been placed in competition for the All-USA Academic Team, Coca-Cola Academic Team, and the New Century Pathway Scholarship Awards.

Those students are Dariela Delgado-Castro and Carl Hayes, who attend classes at the Marietta site; Brittany Skeen, who attends classes at the Paulding site; and Karen Rogers, who attends classes at the Floyd campus.

Their nomination selections for the All-USA Team led these students to also be recognized as members of the All-Georgia Academic Team. They will each receive an All-Georgia medallion and certificate to commemorate this honor.

This year the traditional All-Georgia Academic Team Awards Luncheon in Atlanta was not be held in person. Instead, the All-Georgia Academic Team was acknowledged during the awards program of the virtual PTK Spring Regional Conference in March and at the GHC Awards Night ceremony in April The organization received numerous accolades during this month’s Spring Regional Conference, including Five-Star Status and being elected the new Regional Vice-Presidential Chapter, putting the chapter in charge of the Fall 2021 Regional Conference.

The chapter’s vice president of membership and Student Government Association representative Heather Choate, who lives in Cartersville and attends classes on the Cartersville site, said while COVID changed how the organization provided community outreach, it did not detract from PTK’s goals and output.

“We knew our research on financial literacy, the Goodwill donations, and the community Halloween Movie drive-in were important projects to serve the community,” Choate said. “We stayed in constant contact weekly and maintained motivation through emails, text, and zoom meetings.”

Choate said the support of PTK officers and the camaraderie shared by members has created a foundation for the organization. She said while she is humbled by the numerous chapter awards, it is also great for the chapter to be recognized for their efforts.

“The PTK community has inspired me to go beyond my academic excellence to character excellence,” Choate said. “Our team is pretty phenomenal, and the multiple awards reflect PTK’s Five-Star PTK – continued on page 34

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Student Organization Spotlight

Phi Theta Kappa members nominated for All-USA Academic Team

Student Organization Spotlight

Woman 2 Woman organization gives back to the community One of GHC’s student organizations has been busy this year working with a local nonprofit to serve the community. Woman 2 Woman rallied behind Helping Hands in Paulding County on several community projects.

Woman 2 Woman is a GHC student organization founded in 2010 with an emphasis on developing communications skills, volunteering in the community, and supporting each student in the group on the road to degree completion.

“Woman 2 Woman continuously works with Helping Hands and other charitable communities because helping our community helps us gain moral values and look at the world from a different perspective,” student and organization president Manoucheca Jean said. “We believe that helping the community brings us closer together and it is a very humbling experience.”

The student organization assisted with an oncampus coat drive in 2020, effectively collecting and distributing two carloads of coats to Helping Hands.

Woman 2 Woman co-advisor and Paulding Site Manager Christina Henggeler said the organization previously led drives to collect items from fellow students or worked alongside other volunteers to unload deliveries from the Atlanta Food Bank.

Jean, who lives in Powder Springs and attends classes at the Paulding site, said while the positivity, laughter, and connections built among organization members encourages her to continue on with Woman 2 Woman, the aspect of community service is central to the student organization.

“I was inspired to get involved with Woman 2 Woman because sisterhood is important to me. I believe we must stick together and that great things SMP – continued from page 24

Georgia College Press Association Staff Awards: Best Campus Community Service – Sports – 1st Best Campus Community Service – News – 3rd Best Photo Essay – 3rd Best Website – 3rd General Photography Excellence – 3rd Layout and Design Excellence – 2nd

26 | Spring/Summer 2021

happen when women stick together, especially young women,” Jean said. “It is important that we help one another through our life journeys because we are all on a mission to become the women of our dreams.”

According to its website, hhpcga.org, Helping Hands works to foster a caring atmosphere for anyone experiencing temporary or emergency struggles due to a crisis situation. The organization, which offers services such as a food pantry and clothing center, is located in the south side of the student parking lot at GHC’s Paulding site.

Individual Awards: Best Photograph-Editorial/Feature – 3rd – Olivia Fortner Best Column – 2nd – Mariah Redmond, Brandon Dyer, Bradley Singh Best Photograph – Sports – 2nd – Brandon Dyer Best Photograph-News – 3rd – Olivia Fortner Best Sports Story – 2nd – Austin Williams

The University System of Georgia (USG) has named GHC Division Chair of Health Sciences Lisa Jellum, a 2020-2021 USG Leadership Fellow. As a subject matter expert, Jellum will provide meaningful support to colleagues systemwide.

“This group represents the best faculty and staff from USG institutions across the state, and I congratulate them on their selection,” Chancellor Steve Wrigley said. “Their knowledge and willingness to serve will help the system continue to focus on our top priorities of being more efficient, more affordable, and graduating more students.”

Over a one-year term, Fellows will share their expertise through workshops for USG groups outside their home institutions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, workshops may be delivered virtually.

Topics are wide-ranging and can vary from coaching skills for academic leaders and leadership ethics to constructive conflict engagement and change management.

“There is a lot of expertise within the University System of Georgia,” said Vice Chancellor for Leadership and Institutional Development Stuart Rayfield. “The entire system benefits when we tap the leadership and knowledge from USG institutions, and it’s a tremendous opportunity for the Fellows to grow and develop. It’s a win-win.”

As a Leadership Fellow, Jellum will work with others to provide support around the system and will be called upon to facilitate workshops and lessons.

She added she was happy to also bring more exposure to GHC by serving in this position.

“It is great for the college to be on the stage with other schools such as the University of Georgia, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Augusta University, and others,” Jellum said.

Director for Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Josie Baudier encouraged Jellum to apply for the program.

“This USG Leadership and Institutional Development (LID) program is brand new this year, and the team of Leadership and Institutional Development program included several expert facilitators and research-driven topics that Lisa explored in summer 2020,” Baudier said. “In this role as a Fellow, she can guide and support faculty and colleagues, not just at GHC but at other institutions.”

Criteria necessary for consideration for the role includes both experience in leadership development facilitation and a desire to give back to other groups

Faculty Spotlight

Jellum joins state leadership program

Lisa Jellum

in the USG while providing facilitation to groups outside of a Fellow’s home institution.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jellum expected to engage in a two-day USG Leadership Fellow conference in 2020 as part of the requirements of the program’s application.

“Through a pivot, the conference turned into eight, two-hour virtual presentations and workshops” Jellum said.

According to USG, Leadership Fellows are expected to facilitate a minimum of one session per academic year and will work with USG’s Leadership Development Institute staff to connect to groups to meet specific needs. Participation in the program will be recognized by the system office and will last one year in duration.

Baudier said the program will allow for Jellum to both improve her instructional skills and share her knowledge with members of other institutions.

“Being able to support your faculty as they serve others is a great resource,” Baudier said. “Georgia Highlands College benefits from Lisa being a Fellow because she will represent GHC at other institutions expertly. She will learn from her experiences as a facilitator and be able to share those experiences with her GHC chair and faculty colleagues. GHC will, in turn, also have the opportunity to work with a LID Fellow to facilitate leadership workshops and sessions for us.”

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Chargers Taking Charge ALUMNUS GETS A KICK OUT OF DAYS AS A STUDENT For Dunny Blankenship, a 1982 graduate of GHC (then Floyd Junior College), earning an associate degree in criminal justice was just one of many memories and accomplishments from his time as a student. Now spending his days guiding students as a social studies teacher and soccer and wrestling coach at Model Middle School in Floyd County, Blankenship reflects upon his own time as a student.

“At the time, GHC was known as Floyd Junior College and was a great place to be,” Blankenship said. “My mom had graduated from here as a registered nurse in one of the first classes at the college. It was a great school and was truly affordable.”

Following his education at GHC, Blankenship went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Science from West Georgia College, a Master of Education from State University of West Georgia, and a post-master’s educational specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial University. He said his time at GHC helped him develop an outlook on life that he follows to this day.

“This college laid the groundwork for me being able to understand that working hard and treating people fair goes a long way,” Blankenship said.

Blankenship said his instructors kept things interesting in the classroom which encouraged him to continue working toward his degree. He said they made lessons interesting, but also made students work hard for a passing grade.

“It wasn’t all about book work. They wanted us to understand how it all fit together,” Blankenship said. “This led me to be more understanding of the world and the people in it.”

Outside the classroom, Blankenship enjoyed competing among the college’s “Bearcats” year-round intramural sports teams, even being named Athlete of the Year in 1980. His passion for sports as a college student evolved into a life’s mission of supporting others on the field.

BLANKENSHIP – continued on page 35

Dunny Blankenship

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ALUMNUS STARTS BUSINESS WITH GLOBAL REACH GHC Alumnus Justin Deal made registered student organizations – the decision to start Primeful Digital even when things didn’t go accordin Chattanooga as a way to improve ing to plan. his quality of life and the quality of “I helped organize a trip to D.C. life for others. Although he began with the Political Science Club, and his academic career in Political SciI mistakenly booked our lodging for ence before eventually opening the one day less than what we needed,” search engine optimization (SEO) Deal said. “We had to scramble to and marketing agency, Deal said his pack up all of our stuff and go sleep experiences at GHC helped drive in a hotel outside of D.C. It was him toward his calling. kind of a nightmare, but it taught “I was super nervous, but I still me to triple-check all plans and how remember taking the risk and putting to recover and find solutions in a myself out there to join the Political stressful, difficult situation.”

Science Club,” Deal said. “It became Such events also helped Deal a pivotal moment for me as it was to learn about himself. “Moments the stepping stone that eventually led like this — where I or someone else Justin Deal me to attend an Ivy League school and made a mistake or an error — taught having the courage to start my own business.” me that we are all human, we cannot control everything, Deal said faculty and staff were helpful as he learned and that to succeed is to rise above the mishaps and find the ins and outs of college life, such as navigating finan- a viable solution,” Deal said. cial aid and scholarship application process.

Starting Primeful Digital Content was no easy task, “GHC provided me with maximum opportunity in but Deal and his business partner were able to get things a comfortable setting,” Deal said. “The Floyd campus running in a short amount of time. wasn’t too big or too small, and I always felt inspired to “It took about three to six months to go from initial do more when I arrived on campus.” idea to running a business,” Deal said. “Many people Deal was enrolled at GHC from 2012 to 2014, gradwonder how we did that so fast, and it is because we had uating with an Associate of Science in Political Science. very low startup fees and have few overhead fees as our As a student Deal was involved in numerous Registered business is 99% digital.”

Student Organizations such as Equality Alliance, StuDeal said he has been pleased with how his business dent Government Association, Political Science Club, has improved the lives of himself and others.

Phi Theta Kappa (Alpha Psi Omicron Chapter), and the “I wanted out of the 9-to-5 routine and to create Leadership Development Program. Deal also served as more space in my life for travel and adventure,” Deal an Orientation Leader. said. “I don’t want to wait until retirement to explore the While Deal went on to study philosophy at Columbia world. Also, I wanted to promote a more open, workerUniversity in New York, he said GHC provided him with first company culture and give people the opportunity the tools he needed to begin his academic and profesto take advantage of the benefits of our burgeoning gig sional journey. In addition, Deal said he has several fond economy. Luckily, I had the opportunity to freelance as a memories of his time on campus and engaging with DEAL – continued on page 35

KNOW A CHARGER TAKING CHARGE? GHC alumni are Chargers! And Chargers Take Charge. Thousands of GHC alumni embody the #TakingCharge motto throughout the state and country by making a difference in their communities and making the most of their careers.

Do you know other successful GHC alumni? Email us at marcom@highlands.edu and let us know, so they can join other alumni in GHC’s spotlight series “Chargers Taking Charge.” highlands.edu | 29

Staff Spotlight

National journal publishes chapter

by CETL director highlighting online education strategies

Josie Baudier

GHC’s Josie Baudier recently took her knowledge in instructional design to the next level. The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) director recently saw her research published in a national journal.

The scholarly publication was called “The Learner-Centered Instructional Designer.”

“This book is written for instructional designers as one way to support their needs in the field,” Baudier said. “Every chapter was derived from the needs and wants that most new instructional designers crave.”

Baudier wrote chapter seven for the publication titled “Learning Online: The Internet Should be Used for More Than Just Do-ItYourself Videos.”

While developing her chapter, Baudier said her editor presented her with the social learning aspect of online learning, which is something all colleges are having to consider amid the learning and instructional changes that are a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Faculty are often scared to approach and teach online because they have not experienced it themselves as students or because they have heard horror stories about it

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from their colleagues,” Baudier said. “In truth, online learning is an effective model of education – if done well.”

For her chapter, Baudier wanted to approach online learning in a way that better reflects upon that process as a whole due to the misconceptions that exist surrounding online learning.

“The best way to increase social learning is through collaborative projects with students,” Baudier said. “Conducting collaborative projects in the online environment can be very difficult – they are hard to facilitate in inperson classes, so online could add another layer of confusion and disengagement for students. The chapter provides some ideas and theoretical support about collaborative projects.”

Baudier came to the publication opportunity after working with the book’s editor, Jerod Quinn, a few years ago at the Professional Organizational Developers (POD) annual conference.

Quinn is an Instructional Designer for the Course Design and Technology department at the University of Missouri.

“Quinn’s teaching center was new to having instructional

designers, and his boss wanted her team to meet other instructional designers,” Baudier said.

“Through POD, I have connected and networked with several other faculty developers, and, in particular, instructional designers. We would meet for virtual check-ins and phone calls to share stories, techniques, documentation, and workshop materials during the school year.”

Baudier said the group became a network within a network and “The Learner-Centered Instructional Designer” is the result of the individuals of that network combining their expertise in the area.

“Instructional designers need to have an arsenal of researchbased ideas, techniques, and strategies to support the faculty and guide them to make the best decision for student success in learning,” Baudier went on. “In addition, this book includes chapters about instructional design models, building faculty trust, online learning, universal design, motivation, metacognition, technology, and even a chapter about designing courses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Georgia Highlands College student Julianna Lynch will spend the summer of 2021 immersed in French culture all while earning college credit thanks to the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.

With this scholarship, Lynch will participate in the University System of Georgia (USG) Goes Global study abroad program.

“I have always wanted to travel, and when I heard the study abroad program was planning to go to Paris, I absolutely had to apply,” Lynch said.

Lynch added she was surprised and filled with a sense of accomplishment when she learned she had received the scholarship. Typically, very few scholarship applicants are selected.

“I always felt that traveling abroad was a far-off dream,” Lynch said. “To see that I had been selected for the scholarship, knowing that their scholarship is very competitive and selective, I was simply amazed and honored.”

Spending much of her youth studying Parisian and French culture, Lynch utilized her personal experience to help craft her Statement of Purpose and Community Impact Essays required in the application process.

“I relied on what I already knew and strongly felt about travel, other cultures of the world and the correlation of broadening horizons and the positive impact it has on the community,” Lynch said. “I 100% encourage others to apply for the scholarship if the college has a place you’d like to travel to. Travel is one of those ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ things that can truly change your life, open your mind to new and exciting things, and help make you a better person.”

According to www.gilmanscholarship.org, since 2001 the Institute of International Education has administered the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enabling students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad and providing them with skills critical to national security and economic

Juliana Lynch

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prosperity.

Georgia Highlands College Associate Professor of History David Hensley will be teaching during this year’s USG Goes Global Program. He said participating in study abroad programs provides an opportunity for students to see the world and learn about other cultures while also helping students gain perspective on life at home.

“When I taught in Berlin in 2018, the students not only became acclimated to the rhythms of life in an international city, but they also developed friendships with fellow students from around the state of Georgia,” Hensley said. “For many – including myself – study abroad is a life-changing experience.”

For Lynch, being able to visit Paris will be a dream come true.

“Paris is such a beautiful, enriching place,” Lynch said. “The culture, arts, music, food, history, all of it is as if observing the apex of our modern world spanning back for hundreds of years. I know I will be forever marked by this trip, and I look forward to a vast myriad of things I will learn, not only from the incredibly interesting classes offered, but from the city itself.”

Lynch is in her second semester at GHC and is pursuing an associate degree in English. She lives in Cartersville and takes classes online.

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Student Spotlight

GHC student earns scholarship to study abroad in Paris

Student Spotlight

Nwokike chosen as Board of Regents Academic Day representative Recently, Chinelo Nwokike received a surprise phone call from GHC President Don Green. She had been chosen as the Board of Regents Academic Day representative for GHC. Nwokike’s perfect 4.0 GPA and a nomination by her mentor and advisor, Dean of the School of Humanities Jon Hershey, led to her selection.

“I was shocked, excited, nervous, and humbled all at the same time,” Nwokike said. “I had to process all these emotions during the phone call with the president because I wasn’t even aware that I was nominated.”

Nwokike was born in Nigeria as the first of five children. She is fluent in two languages, including her native language, Igbo, as well as English. She works as a certified nursing assistant primarily with children with disabilities through a home health agency.

She is currently also enrolled in the nursing program at GHC. Outside of college and work, Nwokike enjoys cooking and spending time with her husband, GHC alumnus Chukwuemeka Nwokike (Dr. Ike), and their two children, a boy and a girl. When not studying or working, Nwokike likes having fun with her family.

Academic Recognition Day began over 30 years ago as a celebration of Georgia students’ academic achievements. The honorees receive a resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives along with a letter of commendation from the USG Chancellor.

Each of the system’s institutions select a student with a 4.0 GPA who also reflects the system’s best qualities: “They aim to strive for excellence and have the ability to share knowledge in various areas of expertise.”

“Now that I am a student of GHC, I am glad I heeded my husband’s advice to enroll because the level of attentiveness I have received from my instructors is second to none,” Nwokike said. “One thing about me is I am very resilient and a determined person. I learned these attributes from my parents. With nursing being my passion, it only came natural to me to strive to see that it comes to fruition.”

Nwokike resides in Smyrna and attends classes at both the Marietta and Cartersville sites.

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Student Spotlight

Belisle’s work as intern recognized in national competition Daniel Belisle’s recent internship led to work in a national competition. And for Belisle, it was an “incredibly fulfilling” opportunity to take his classroom knowledge and “apply it to a project that was viewed on a national level.”

Belisle is a GHC student enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration’s logistics and supply chain management program. He also worked as an intern with a local Cartersville startup and community transportation service called URways.

Belisle was given the opportunity to apply the skills he learned in the classroom to a real-world setting through the internship.

“I worked on a large variety of tasks throughout the internship, but there were several things I did that stood out,” Belisle said. “The first project that I worked on was helping design a PowerPoint for a national innovation competition that URways was set to participate in which contained all of the important information that investors or other interested parties needed to know about URways’ unique concept.”

For Belisle, helping to craft a presentation for the 2020 Shared Mobility Start-Up Spotlight competition was the most rewarding aspect of the internship.

“It was the first time that I had a project of that significance put under my control,” Belisle said. “It was incredibly fulfilling to take the knowledge that I have acquired through school and apply it to a project that was viewed on a national level. I also have gained an incredible amount of comfort and familiarity in communicating in a professional setting.”

He said his work with URways helped him to gain perspective on the depth of projects he will face in the workforce, such as ongoing communication with local government and business leaders.

URways founder and owner Claudia Laughridge explained that URways was one of nine top finalists invited to compete in the National Shared Mobility 2020 Start-Up Spotlight competition in which startup companies worked to create solutions to solve transportation problems.

Laughridge said Belisle was instrumental in creating the skeleton for the PowerPoint which was then curated and finalized by Deanna Berry, chief operating officer of McWhorter Capital, and presented in competition by Claudia Laughridge.

“Daniel built the PowerPoint presentation content BELISLE– continued on page 35

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Student Spotlight

Chemistry student’s research published in national journal Georgia Highlands College student Muhammad Hanzala’s undergraduate chemistry research was recently published in the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) Proceedings Journal.

This spring, Hanzala presented his work at the virtual NCUR 2021.

Hanzala’s road from research to publication began during his Chemistry 1 class with his research advisor Assistant Professor of Chemistry Erin Shufro.

His findings can be found among other research papers in NCUR’s Proceedings Journal for 2020, available at http://libjournals.unca.edu/ncur/2020-2/ “Professor Shufro and I were looking for research projects to do, and I noticed at my work that the amount of pentane, an expensive chemical, being used in fragrances was excessive,” Hanzala, who works as a media and marketing analyst for a fragrance company, said.

After discovering the problem, Hanzala and Shufro brought the method to GHC labs, refined it, and made it cost effective, successfully reducing the price of an extraction.

“The experiment involved a lot of chemistry, so it was befitting that the research was done as a part of a chemistry class,” Hanzala said.

Hanzala added he was surprised and excited to learn that his research had been accepted by the organization and that GHC gave him the tools he needed to take his research to the next level.

“One of the most important things that GHC has is very easy access to brilliant professors who are always ready to guide and connect with me,” Hanza-

Muhammad Hanzala and Erin Shufro

la said. “Throughout the research, the practice for presentation and the effort to submitting the research for publication, I always felt like I had the backing of all of GHC’s faculty.”

Hanzala is a member of GHC’s Honors Program, lives in Cartersville, and attends classes at the Cartersville site.

In addition to publishing academic journals, NCUR promotes undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity in all fields of study by sponsoring an annual conference for college students. The conference sees presenters from all institutions of higher learning and disciplines, creating a unique environment for the celebration of undergraduate student achievement.

PTK – continued from page 25

Chapter Status.”

Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society for access institutions.

PTK Spring Regional Conference Awards: • Distinguished Chapter Officer Team • Distinguished Honors in Action Issue Award • Theme 1-The Heir of Our Ways, First Runner-Up Distinguished Chapter Officer Honorable Mention for Carl Hayes • Janet M. Walker Spirit of Phi Theta Kappa Award for Carl Hayes

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• Georgia Hall of Honor, First Runner-Up for Juan Jimenez-Padilla • Sarah Anne Staples Award First Runner-Up for Dariela Delgado Castro • Distinguished Chapter Member, First Runner-up for Heather Choate • Horizon Advisor Award for advisors – Betsy Fleming, Julie Kozee, Vincent Manatsa, Greg Smith and Karen Huggin • Five-Star Chapter Status • REACH Award Regional Vice-Presidential Chapter and will be in charge of the Fall 2021 Regional Conference.

BLANKENSHIP – continued from page 28

“I’ve been coaching kids for almost 30 years.

I started with high school and a few years back stepped back to middle school in order to watch my own kids more,” Blankenship said.

Blankenship has been involved as a Georgia High School Association Football Official since 1979 and hasn’t missed a Friday night game as a player, coach, or official in 45 years.

“During this time I have officiated some of the best teams in the nation, including eight Georgia High School Association State Championships and ESPN games featuring two state battles like Bartram Trail High School in Florida verses Cartersville High School when Trevor Lawrence was a student.”

Blankenship said he appreciates how his time as a student not only made an academic impact on his life, but that the college stressed life skills as well.

He said he recommends GHC for anyone who is beginning to consider an academic career.

“If you don’t know if college is right for you, why would you go and spend thousands of dollars at a place you may not want to be?” Blankenship said.

“Try out what is available and know that most of your credits will transfer to most colleges and universities. You can stay close to home, have smaller, more personable classes, and enjoy all the benefits college students enjoy.”

Blankenship married Tina Presley of Silver Creek in 1991, and they have two children. Tina has been in banking since 1990 and is presently with River City Bank in Rome. Their daughter Katherine “Katy” Blankenship graduated from Georgia Highlands in 2020. She is presently in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Shorter University. Their son, Duncan II, received an athletic scholarship to run cross-country and to wrestle at Doane University in Crete, Nebraska.

DEAL– continued from page 29

copywriter while in New York City, and the rest is history.”

Deal said while there was initial difficulty operating the business during a pandemic but that things are looking up.

“My business partner, Shawn Tucker, and I invested our original time and effort into the travel industry, so when Europe went down during the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, we lost about 85% of our business within a month or two,” Deal said. “It took us a while to recuperate since blog writing and SEO weren’t seen by smaller businesses

as essential. Luckily, the market shifted in our favor because SEO and copywriting actually is a smart, long-term, and more economical marketing strategy to grow your business whether you are brick and mortar or completely online.”

Thus far, 2021 appears to be a good year for the company.

“We have had our biggest month since before the pandemic in January 2021,” Deal said. “We wrote almost 500 articles for businesses and contracted around 25 freelancers.”

BELISLE – continued from page 33

as well as initial structure of the competition presentation,” Laughridge said. “URways competed with companies inventing battery charging stations; sensors designed to communicate with vehicles objects are in the road; specialized insurance for mobility companies providing multiple vehicles uses such as shared rides rentals, scooters, and the ability to shift coverage based on usage; scooter docking stations; and alternative shared ride concepts to acknowledge finalists.”

Laughridge said Belisle has been a valuable member of the company and that more local businesses should consider partnering with GHC to obtain high-quality interns. An internship is required for all students seeking to complete the bachelor’s

programs within GHC’s School of Business and Professional Studies.

“Daniel’s work as our intern has provided this startup company with his skills and insights,” Laughridge said. “He worked directly with me on community communication efforts notifying our advisory council of updates and accomplishments.”

Belisle lives in Cartersville and attends classes at the Cartersville site. He is a member of the Logistics and Supply Chain Management Association and serves as the organization’s Student Government Association liaison.

Visit lifechangingrides.com to learn more about URways.

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Foundation Spotlight

Take Charge - Change Lives FUND AN EDUCATION. FUND A DREAM. FUND A FUTURE. The Georgia Highlands College Foundation has supported GHC and the education, dreams, and futures of students since 1973.

The Foundation relies on your support and that of likeminded donors to make this mission a reality.

A donation of just $200 can make the difference in whether a student is able to complete their degree.

Your gift, no matter the size, will make a tangible impact in the lives of students.

Your contribution to the Foundation will directly support programs like: Scholarships • Athletics • Foundation Camp • Food Pantry • and more!

JOIN OUR LEGACY OF GIVING BY CONTRIBUTING TO THE FOUNDATION TODAY. Give online at givetoday.highlands.edu or by mail at GHC Foundation, 3175 Cedartown Highway, Rome, GA 30161.

To learn more about how you can take charge and change lives, contact Liz Jones, Director of the GHC Foundation and Annual Fund, by phone at 706-368-7509 or by email at GHCFoundation@highlands.edu

In Memoriam* RETIREES

LOIS FOSTER MARCH 4, 2021

JAMES COOK APRIL 9, 2021

MARY HOLLAND APRIL 28, 2021

Retraction: Waymon Brumbelow was incorrectly listed in the “In Memoriam” section of the last printed issue of The Highlander. In the report GHC received, it inadvertently listed Mr. Brumbelow as deceased instead of his spouse, ReNonda Anna Brumbelow (October 23, 2020).

Our sincere apologies to Mr. Brumbelow and his family for this error. *Names listed here are based on reports made to OneUSG Connect Benefits Call Center and provided to GHC.

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For Krystal Ellis of Cartersville, obtaining scholarships from the Georgia Highlands College Foundation helped her to move forward with her education and to graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Logistics and Supply Chain Management in spring 2021.

“I grew up in a financially disadvantaged household and am my family’s first high school graduate and will be the first college graduate,” Ellis said. “While Krystal Ellis this has not been an easy path, the availability of scholarships and financial aid has been a significant aid to my educational career.”

With some of the financial burden lessened, Ellis was able to work fewer hours outside of class.

“This financial assistance allowed me to focus on my studies and complete my degree without fear of loan repayment,” Ellis said. “The scholarships offered allowed me to finish my degree at GHC and gave me a job I love, and I will be forever grateful for the donors.”

Ellis received the GHC Foundation (GHCF) Seniors Pursing Graduation Scholarship as well as multiple awards of the GHCF Juniors Pursing Graduation Scholarship and University System of Georgia Foundation Go Back, Move Ahead, totaling more than $2,000.

She recently accepted a position with Home Depot Corporation as an analyst in the Services Operations division and serves as a member of the company’s collaboration department.

The Georgia Highlands College Foundation has been committed to supporting the college since 1973. The Foundation is driven to enhance education, to create opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to succeed, and to expand the horizons of GHC. The GHC Foundation contributes over half a million dollars to scholarships and programs each year. The scholarship criteria vary greatly and may be based on age, program of study, county of residence, and many other factors.

In order to apply for scholarships at Georgia Highlands College, you will need to be admitted as a GHC student through the Admissions Office for the current term and have a complete FAFSA on file naming GHC as an institution of choice. All visitors are welcome – including prospective students, parents, and friends – to search scholarship opportunities at finaid.highlands.edu

GHC FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES Greg Patton, Chairman Patton Financial Associates Randy Quick, Chair-Elect & Treasurer Rome Radio Partners, Inc. Luke Lester, Past Chairman Bond, James Bond Inc. Dee Bishop Sarah H. Burkhalter David Caswell Melanie C. Collier Mary Louise Lever Steve Moore John Quinlivan Matt Sirmans Sue Spivey Tommy Strickland Mark Weaver Dr. Donald Green, Ex-Officio GHC President Liz Jones Director of Foundation & Annual Fund Jamie Petty, Ex-Officio GHC Vice President Finance & Administration Donnie Denson, Ex-Officio Alumni Association Chairman GHC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS Donnie Denson Chairman Harold Boyd Retiree Representative Susan Claxton Michele Crowe Caleb Freeman Dan Knowles Dr. Lynn Plunkett Steve White

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Foundation Spotlight

FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS HELP STUDENT TO GRADUATE

Charger News

SEASON RECAP Charger Basketball 2020-2021 season recap

by Jason Hitzman Professor of Kinesiology & Wellness Sports Information Director

The 2020-21 basketball season was unlike any we’ve seen before. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and precautions, both men’s and women’s basketball teams played shortened seasons that did not begin until late January. The teams had to play about 20 games in just two-and-a-half months. In addition to all this, both teams experienced periods of quarantine and the loss of players to injury and illness. In spite of this madness, both teams experienced great success on-the-court this season.

The Lady Chargers had one of their best seasons in the program. They won the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) regular season title with a 14-1 conference record and a 21-4 record overall. The team finished second in the GCAA tournament and received an at-large bid to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Tournament. After a win in the first round against the Southern Idaho Golden Eagles, the Lady Chargers fell to the fifth-ranked South Plains College’s Lady Texans.

All four of the team’s losses were against nationallyranked teams, two of which came in overtime. Coach Brandan Harrell was named GCAA Coach of the Year.

The women were led by outstanding freshman Jashanti Simmons, who was named GCAA Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year, while also earning First Team All-American status. She finished second in the GCAA in scoring at 18.4 points per game (ppg).

She led the league in total points and steals, ranked second in free throw (FT) percentage, and fourth in field goal (FG) percentage. Simmons received GCAA Player-of-the-Week honors for three of the seven

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weeks this season and earned an NJCAA National Player-of-the-Week honor – a first for a GHC basketball player. In addition to Simmons, sophomore Sandra Lin led the conference in total assists and is fourth in steals. Sophomore Sasha Shiskina is second in total three-point FGs and fourth in three-point FG percentage and sophomore O’Mariyah Tucker ranks fourth in total rebounds. Shiskina and Tucker also both earned GCAA Player-of-the-Week honors during the season. Simmons, Shiskina, Tucker and freshman Jada Alston all earned GCAA post-season honors for their play during the regular season and GCAA tournament.

The Charger men also put together a superb season. The team won the GCAA regular season title with an 14-2 conference record and 16-3 record overall before falling in the GCAA tournament to end their season. Following the season, Head Coach JJ Merritt was named GCAA Coach of the Year. During the season, sophomore Chris Wright earned GCAA Player-ofthe-Week honors and was named Honorable Mention All-American at the end of the season. Redshirt sophomore Cahiem Brown also earned GCAA Player of the Week honors during the season.

The team had great scoring balance over the season with four players averaging in double-figures and three more who averaged over 8 points per game (ppg). GHC was led by Brown at 14.7ppg, sophomore Keandre Bowles at 13.5ppg and Wright at 12.1ppg.

Wright also led the league in in three-point FG percentage at 46.2%. University of Washington commit Langston Wilson leads the team in rebounds (7.7 per game) and blocks (1.9 per game) and finished second in the GCAA in FG percentage (58.3%) and third in total blocks (36). Wright, Bowles, Wilson, Brown and freshman Joel Pullen all earned GCAA postseason honors for their play during the regular season and GCAA tournament.

Georgia Highlands College softball is led by Head Coach Savannah Sloan and Assistant Coach Jordan Fortel. The team competes in Region XVII of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association affiliated with the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 1.

The team is based at the Cartersville site and plays all home games at Star’s Field located in Cartersville. For a full game schedule, team roster, and season updates, please visit ghcchargers.com.

Charger Baseball

Georgia Highlands College baseball is led by Head Coach Dash O’Neill and Pitching Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Tucker Hughes. The team competes in Region XVII of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association of the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I. The team is based at the Cartersville site and plays all home games at the Prep Baseball Report LakePoint Sporting Community in Emerson. For a full game schedule, team roster, and season updates, visit ghcchargers.com.

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Charger News

Charger Softball

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