The ASN faculty of Southeastern Technical College (STC) proudly pinned graduates in the 2022 Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Bridge Option program in a ceremony held in the Toombs Auditorium on the Vidalia campus.

The graduates were Rayne Binns and Amber Hood from Swainsboro, Jennifer Borders from Byron, Maeghan Carver and Harlee NeeSmith from Hazlehurst, Nicole Dasher from Metter, Kathryn Duncan and JaMeshia Kemp from Savannah, Jacob Floyd and Rya Simmons from Brooklet, Latosha Grace and Amy Price from Soperton, Summer Grantham and Racheal Thomas from Reidsville, Carley Jackson and Talia Williams from Baxley, Ashlyn Johnson from Cobbtown, Alison Jones and Monica Moseley from Twin City, Tanesha Jones, Raechel Roberts, and Brenna Vance from Waynesboro, Hayley Kuntz from Vidalia, and Bailee Small from Millen.

Jennifer Corner, Associate of Science in Nursing Program Director, opened the ceremony with a welcome. She congratulated and thanked the graduates for choosing Southeastern Technical College as part of their journey and charged the graduates, “As you enter the nursing profession, allow the same concepts of hard work, determination, and dedication to always drive you to provide the best care for your clients and your patients.”

The ASN Bridge Option program, accepting cohorts once a year, is offered on the Swainsboro campus and allows qualified individuals who possess current, Georgia unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or paramedic (EMT-P) to bridge their education into a degree program.

Rayne Binns has achieved all of her healthcare education goals through STC, receiving her Nurse Aide certificate in 1998, her Practical Nursing diploma in 2004, and now her Associate of Science in Nursing degree – all in Emanuel County where she calls home.

Rayne said, “I believe in technical education because it provided me an education that I could achieve in a short amount of time – just what I needed as a parent of three and as a full-time worker. My best advice to anyone considering this route is to go for it; always remember that opportunities do not just happen, you create them.”

To the audience she said, “It is a true honor to celebrate this occasion with so many wonderful people.” She also thanked the audience, as friends, family, and faculty, for stepping up to help this class to achieve this dream. “Without your selfless acts of love and kindness, we would have never made it this far. A year ago, we received what I like to call the golden ticket. It acknowledged that we were accepted into one of the most competitive programs that technical education has to offer. We, as graduates, accepted that invitation, but you all in the audience accepted that invitation as well.”

Latosha Grace, 2013 Practical Nursing graduate of STC, said, “After nine years of nursing, I decided it was time to level up, so I came back to where I started. Tonight, I walk across the stage ready for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).”

Graduates pledged themselves to the work they have chosen by lighting their ceremonial lamp, a tradition in honor of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Graduates were awarded their pins by their instructor Beth Hendrix.

Nicole Dasher said, “As much as I love being a paramedic, I look forward to being a nurse in an ER setting. I attended the Bridge Option program because I wanted a more stable setting for my children and my family.”

For more information on the various nursing programs offered at STC, visit www.southeasterntech.edu or call (912) 538-3100 or (478) 289-2200.

Photo: ASN Nursing Graduates (Front Row L-R): Carley Jackson, Maeghan Carver, Talia Williams, Amy Price, Nicole Dasher, Bailee Small, Summer Grantham, Hayley Kuntz, Alison Jones, Rayne Binns, Kathryn Duncan (Back Row L-R): Monica Moseley, JaMeshia Kemp, Harlee NeeSmith, Amber Hood, Latosha Grace, Jacob Floyd, Ashlyn Johnson, Tanesha Jones, Jennifer Borders, Racheal Thomas, Rya Simmons

On Thursday, July 28, Southeastern Technical College (STC) hosted its first Check Up event for 2022-2023 financial aid.

Throughout the day on both the Vidalia and Swainsboro campuses, new and returning students were assisted one-on-one in completing their financial aid applications for the new school year. Financial aid status is required to be renewed annually before the beginning of fall semester which begins August 15, 2022.

Rebecca Ethredge, Director of Financial Aid, stated that during this one-day event, her department was able to help dozens of students complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit documents for their aid requirements.

“Many students do not realize they are eligible for federal aid, so we encourage all students to complete a FAFSA application,” said Ethredge. “It is very important that college applicants respond to emails and text messages from STC to begin this financial aid process and to track the status of their application so they are aware if any additional documentation is needed.”

Southeastern Tech’s Financial Aid Office is available to assist students and potential students between now and August 15 to clear up any issues for this coming semester, Monday through Thursday 8 am to 6 pm.

For more information on STC, visit www.southeasterntech.edu or call Vidalia at (912) 538-3100 or Swainsboro at (478) 289-2200.

Robins Financial Credit Union presents the Community Project check to Southeastern Technical College Foundation

Robins Financial Credit Union recently contributed $410,000 to 21 organizations as part of their annual Community Project. Organizations submitted their applications and recipients were chosen by a special Robins Financial Board of Directors Committee based on their application and request for funding, as well as their reputation and the work they do for the community.

Robins Financial is committed to the communities they serve and the Community Project demonstrates the ongoing support to improve these communities. The Community Project provides financial support to nonprofit organizations whose purpose is to help families and improve the physical and financial well-being of the community.

The Community Project started in 2015 and over the years, Robins Financial has donated over $1.4 million through this program. Applications are open each year from March 1st through the end of April and information can be found on Robins Financial’s website.

“We are proud to give back to our community through supporting these deserving organizations that make such a positive contribution,” said Christina O’Brien, President and CEO of Robins Financial Credit Union. “Our annual Community Project is one of the most impactful ways we live out our credit union mission to be member focused, financial partners and community proud.”

2022 Community Project recipient in Emanuel County:  Southeastern Technical College Foundation

Robins Financial Credit Union is a local non-profit financial cooperative with twenty-two branches in central Georgia. Robins Financial currently provides financial services to over 247,000 members, with assets exceeding $4 billion.

Kathy Carpenter

Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences to the family of Kathy Carpenter.

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro
https://www.chapmanfhofswainsboro.com/obituary/Kathy-Carpenter

At the Southeastern Technical College (STC) board of directors’ end-of-year meeting, Ken Warnock was presented a plaque for serving as chair for the 2021-2022 board year. Mr. Warnock has been on the STC Board of Directors since 2014, representing Emanuel County.

Sandra Kate Ellington was presented with a certificate of appreciation for her years of service on the board since 2018, representing Toombs County, which includes her devotion as the board chair for 2020-2021.

Board members are eligible to serve up to three three-year terms and they go through a certification process to become certified board members. The board of directors is made up of representatives from each of the eight counties in the STC service delivery area.

Photos: STC President Larry Calhoun and STC Board of Directors’ Chair Ken Warnock. STC President Larry Calhoun and board member Sandra Kate Ellington.

Southeastern Technical College is proud to announce the 2022 spring semester President’s List. These students earned a grade point average of 3.75 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more semester credit hours for the semester:

Appling:             Dabrasha Miller, Landy Pearson, Destiny Shumans

Bulloch:             Kirsten McAnaspie

Candler:             Candace Cox, Nancy Hernandez Gonzalez, Savannah Holland, Madison Newton

Chatham:           Breanne Higley

Effingham:         Tiffany Emsweller

Emanuel:            Kayla Dyal, Luke Fagler, Kendall Green, Shandra Harden, Michael Harris, William Lane, Daniel Sapp, Johnny Wood

Evans:                  Xiomara Coughlin, Micaela Cox

Jeff Davis:          Haley Bohannon, Natalie Horton, Kailie Revell, Mallorie Walsh, Mayra Yanez

Montgomery:     Kaitlyn Corner, Riley Corner, Heather Foskey, Devan Ward

Tattnall:              Rosalba Camacho, Karen Contreras-Hinojosa, Ethan Duckworth, Katilyn Norman, Garrett Oliver, Esmeralda Sanchez, Landon Taylor

Toombs:             Madison Adams, Katrina Brinson, Dawson Claxton, Katie Garrett, Tristen Guerra, David James, Daniela Landeros, Elizabeth Loosberg, Amanda Matthews,                                          Delaney Moore, Mireya Ramirez, Emma Tapley, Jaden Taylor, Herschel Thompson, Andrew Wolfe

Treutlen:            Jason Cauley, Sho Peebles

Wheeler:             Latson Ennis

Associate of Science in Nursing student Riley Corner and Radiologic Technology instructor Keegan Spell of Southeastern Technical College (STC) were both selected top nine finalists for their respective state competitions.

The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) announced the state’s top technical college student, the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), and the state’s top technical college instructor, Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction, for 2022 in Atlanta.

Each year, selection for these programs begins with the naming of the top candidates at each college. Regional competitions follow and narrow the field to nine finalists for each award.

The GOAL program, now in its 50th year, recognizes the most outstanding technical education students at the 22 TCSG colleges.

“Riley began college through STC’s Dual Enrollment program and plans to complete her ASN degree in December, at 20 years of age,” said Natalie Osborne, GOAL Coordinator. “Riley represented STC very well at this state contest. She’s eager to share her story with all high school students to help them understand the opportunities available locally through Southeastern Tech.”

The state grand prize winner Ryan Degner, a Welding and Joining Technology student from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, received a brand new, made-in-Georgia, 2022 KIA K5, courtesy of KIA Georgia, delivered by Carriage KIA of Gainesville.

Now in its 31st year, the Rick Perkins Award highlights excellence in technical instruction and recognizes the most outstanding instructors at the 22 TCSG colleges.

“I am honored to have been chosen as the Southeastern Technical College Instructor of the Year. During my week in Atlanta competing at the state level, I was able to meet many wonderful and passionate technical educators from all across Georgia. We were able to network, share ideas, and reinvigorate each other on the importance of what we do and the significant role it plays in our state. To have been chosen as one of the state’s top nine technical educators has been a humbling experience,” said Keegan Spell.

The 2022 State Rick Perkins award winner Jeffrey White, a Physics instructor from Gwinnett Technical College, received a crystal award and a check for $2,500.

State winners will make public appearances as representatives for technical education during the next year, including meeting with the Governor and addressing the Georgia General Assembly.

About the Technical College System of Georgia 

The 22 colleges of the Technical College System of Georgia are Georgia’s top resource for skilled workers. TCSG offers world-class training in more than 600 associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs to students who are trained on state-of-the-art equipment by instructors who are experts in their fields. The system also houses Georgia’s Office of Adult Education, which promotes and provides adult literacy and education programs, including the GED^® testing program, throughout the state. In addition, TCSG partners with companies through Quick Start, the nation’s top customized workforce training program, and through its individual colleges, who work with local industry to provide workforce and training solutions.

For more information on Southeastern Technical College, visit www.southeasterntech.edu or call (912) 538-3100 or (478) 289-2200.

Photo: STC’s 2022 GOAL student Riley Corner and STC’s 2022 Rick Perkins Award Winner Keegan Spell

This Guy Can, a workshop series by Family Connection, aimed to increase awareness of and interest in non-traditional career pathways for males, celebrated its first graduating class on April 27, 2022 at Southeastern Technical College (STC) in Vidalia.

Seventh and eighth grade students from the Vidalia Learning Center and Toombs County After School traveled to Southeastern Technical College over a three-day span to learn about five career pathways. They toured Dental Hygiene, Cosmetology, Business Technology, Early Childhood Care & Education, and nursing programs, learning details about each from STC instructors and current STC students.

This Guy Can started its first day at Southeastern Tech’s Dental Hygiene Clinic with program director Dr. Jennifer Gramiak and her students. Participants were provided hands-on experience and pertinent information regarding the Dental Hygiene program.

On day two, the group met with Business Technology Instructor Liz Noles and used Microsoft to create their own personal business cards.

Day three offered discussions with male nursing students and was completed with interactive classroom sessions with Early Childhood Care & Education Instructor Mindy Sumner.

On the fourth day, participants learned about the importance of skin care with STC Cosmetology Instructor Althea Coney.

Graduation participants received a certificate of completion, a program t-shirt, and an engraved water thermos from Family Connection. Speakers included Senator Blake Tillery, Helen Thomas, Special Needs Specialist at Southeastern Technical College, and Jeffrey Harden, Chief Nursing Officer at Memorial Health Meadows Hospital. After the graduation, parents and participants enjoyed a meal in the student center, served by The Forge.

“We have received such positive feedback from parents and we look forward to offering this program again in the fall. We can’t wait to watch this class of participants choose their career pathways and follow their dreams,” said Paige Williamson, Director of Family Connection. “This program would not be possible without our wonderful sponsors – Trane and Georgia Power. We would like to thank them for entrusting us with their resources. A special thanks also to our partners at the Greater Vidalia Chamber, Toombs County Development Authority, Toombs County Schools, Vidalia City Schools, Southeastern Early College & Career Academy (SECCA), and Chicken of the Sea. To our partners at Southeastern Technical College, we thank you for your passion for this project and for making these unforgettable workshops possible.”

For more information on career pathways at Southeastern Tech, visit www.southeasterntech.edu or call (912) 538-3100 or (478) 289-2200.

Photos: This Guy Can Spring 2022 Graduating Class and Volunteers, Senator Blake Tillery Addressing This Guy Can Graduates

Published by Technical College System of Georgia, April 19, 2022

Donation to the Technical College System of Georgia Foundation to benefit the Commercial Truck Driving Program 

ATLANTA, GA–The Coca-Cola Company today announced a $1 million donation to the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Foundation for its system’s Commercial Truck Driving Program. The Coca-Cola Company also announced “Delivering the Future: The Coca-Cola System & Technical College System of Georgia Truck Tour” to raise awareness of TCSG’s Commercial Truck Driving Program and career opportunities with local bottler Coca-Cola UNITED.

Businesses and consumers rely on Georgia’s trucking industry, which moves more than 435 million tons of goods across the state each year as the logistics and transportation hub of the Southeast (Georgia Department of Transportation, 2019). Today, this industry is facing challenges, having lost 6% of its workers nationally since the COVID-19 pandemic began, compounding an existing driver shortage that is expected to top 160,000 by 2028 (American Trucking Associations, 2019).

The $1 million investment marks The Coca-Cola Company’s latest effort to help facilitate Georgia’s economic development and support critical job training and opportunities across its home state. By creating 11 new full-time instructor roles and two part-time instructor roles, the investment supports TCSG’s greatest need, recruiting and retaining talented trainers. In addition, the donation supplements the $8.32 million of support from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER II) that will provide facility upgrades, with the goal of doubling enrollment of commercial drivers across Georgia from 1,705 to 3,410 in 2023. Finally, this investment aims to ensure more drivers are in the pipeline to help fill trucking industry jobs with local Coca-Cola bottler Coca-Cola UNITED and other businesses across the state.

Delivering the Future: The Coca-Cola System & Technical College System of Georgia Truck Tour – Savannah, Athens, Vidalia, Macon, and Tifton 

To raise awareness of TCSG’s Commercial Truck Driving Program and related career opportunities, The Coca-Cola Company is rolling out the “Delivering the Future: The Coca-Cola System & Technical College System of Georgia Truck Tour.”

“The Coca-Cola truck will make stops in five communities across the state, including Savannah, Athens, Vidalia, Macon, and Tifton,” said Gianetta Jones, Vice President and Chief People Officer, Coca-Cola UNITED. “In Georgia, we’re fortunate to be able to hire drivers from TCSG’s world-class Commercial Truck Driving Program. Our goal is to raise awareness of the program and trucking industry opportunities available right in our home state, most specifically the 85 open commercial driving opportunities currently available with Coca-Cola UNITED.”

The “Delivering the Future: The Coca-Cola System & Technical College System of Georgia Truck Tour” will make five stops from May 17 to May 26 and will offer entertainment, refreshments, and activities along with the opportunity to learn about Coca-Cola UNITED job opportunities and TCSG’s Commercial Truck Driving Program enrollment process. Tour stops and dates include:

• Tuesday, May 17 – Southeastern Technical College, Vidalia Campus
• Wednesday, May 18 – Central Georgia Technical College, Macon Campus 
• Thursday, May 19 – Savannah Technical College, Savannah Campus
• Wednesday, May 25 – Athens Technical College, Athens Campus
• Thursday, May 26 – Southern Regional Technical College, Tifton Campus

Complete tour details can be found at DeliveringTheFutureGA.com.

The Coca-Cola Company, alongside Coca-Cola UNITED, has generated a positive economic impact in Georgia for more than 135 years. Today, with more than 30 Coca-Cola facilities across the state employing more than 9,400 Georgians, the System provides beverages for more than 41,000 Georgia businesses that offer daily refreshment for the state’s 10.5 million residents.

In addition to helping grow Georgia’s economy and supporting job opportunities for Georgians, The Coca-Cola Company has invested $13.8 million in Georgia since 2016 to improve community wellbeing, empower women, and protect the environment where employees live and work. In addition, The Coca-Cola Foundation has invested $105 million since 2016 to support youth development and education, female entrepreneurs, access to clean water, water conservation, and recycling programs across the state.

About The Coca-Cola Company  

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Fanta. Our hydration, sports, coffee, and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak, Honest, and Ayataka. Our nutrition, juice, dairy, and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife, and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities, and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices, and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

About Coca-Bottling Company United, Inc. 

Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc., founded in 1902 and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is the second largest privately held Coca-Cola bottler in North America and the third largest bottler of Coca-Cola products in the U.S. Now with its fifth generation of family working in the business, Coca-Cola UNITED has approximately 10,000 associates located in more than 50 facilities across six southeastern states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee).  Historically significant franchises within our Coca-Cola UNITED family include Chattanooga, the world’s first Coca-Cola bottler; Atlanta, home of the worldwide Coca-Cola System; and Columbus, Georgia, development site of the original Coca-Cola formula.

Coca-Cola UNITED is engaged in the production, marketing, and distribution of a diverse portfolio of leading sparkling (Coca-Cola®, Diet Coke®, Coke Zero Sugar®, Dr Pepper®, Sprite®, AHA® and Fanta®) and still (smartwater®, Dasani®, POWERADE®, BODYARMOR®, Fairlife®, Gold Peak®, Monster® and Minute Maid®) non-alcoholic brands under exclusive franchise agreements principally with The Coca-Cola Company® and Keurig Dr Pepper®.

For 120 years, Coca-Cola UNITED has remained true to its foundational core values of Quality, Excellence, Integrity, and Respect. Local relationships, personalized customer service, and strong community engagement have been the foundation of our business for more than a century. Each year, millions of dollars are invested in our local communities, supporting education, community development, sustainability, and nonprofit organizations that empower and impact those in need. For more information, visit cocacolaunited.com.

About the Technical College System of Georgia 

The 22 colleges of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) are Georgia’s top resource for skilled workers. TCSG offers world-class training in more than 600 associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs to students who are trained on state-of-the-art equipment by instructors who are experts in their fields. The system also houses Georgia’s Office of Adult Education, which promotes and provides adult literacy and education programs, including the GED® testing program, throughout the state. In addition, TCSG partners with companies through Quick Start, the nation’s top customized workforce training program, and through its individual colleges, which work with local industry to provide workforce and training solutions. For more information, visit www.tcsg.edu.