­­Adult Education Student Represents Southeastern Technical College at EAGLE Leadership Institute

The 2022 Dinah Culbreath Wayne EAGLE Awards Leadership Institute was held in Atlanta in March. Charley “Jaycee” Scott from Swainsboro represented the Southeastern Technical College (STC) Adult Education program.

EAGLE is the first statewide program in the nation that recognizes and rewards excellence among students enrolled in adult education programs. This student recognition program is designed to create greater awareness of educational opportunities that are available in local communities across the state and to foster greater involvement in lifelong learning pursuits.

Jaycee received her High School Equivalency (HSE) in December 2021 and is enrolled in the Business Technology program at Southeastern Technical College. She works full-time for the College as the admissions assistant and front desk receptionist on the Swainsboro Campus.

“The day I decided to enroll in STC’s Adult Education program was the best decision I could have made. I did not know I would meet so many people who would make me feel welcome, offer guidance, and support me to make my journey successful,” said Jaycee. “Having fallen behind in school due to medical scares, I would not be where I am today without this program. Giving up on my education was not an option.”

The EAGLE Leadership Institute recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of each of the EAGLE delegates and provides professional development sessions focused on increasing leadership, communication, and life management skills.

Ms. Susan Cross, Executive Director of Adult Education commented, “Jaycee is a very bright young lady who is committed to being successful in her educational goals. We are so proud of the job she did representing our program in Atlanta and for her commitment to a successful future.”

Jaycee said, “I enjoyed the opportunity to represent STC as the EAGLE delegate and compete with students from around the state. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had and I learned so much. The thing that has stuck with me the most is that everyone’s story is different and no matter what we have been through or what we may be going through, we should never give up. There is always hope and a second chance! Everyone has the opportunity to succeed, no matter their age or circumstances. I am so thankful for the friendships I gained as part of this event. I will forever cherish the memories and forever be grateful for the Adult Education program and Southeastern Tech. STC has so much to offer. I earned my First Responder Certification, so I am now also enrolled in STC’s EMT program.”

Jaycee was nominated for the EAGLE award by Annette Merier, Adult Education Instructor in Swainsboro.

“Jaycee was willing to work diligently to achieve her goals and she is always willing to help others if she can. She attended Adult Education classes regularly and participated consistently. She will not let any circumstances hinder her progress. For example, despite having surgery, she was back in classes on crutches the next week. Being an exceptional student, having a great personality, and giving back to the community is important. Because Jaycee possesses all these qualities, I believe that she was a great choice to represent Southeastern Technical College as an EAGLE delegate,” said Ms. Merier.

The Technical College System of Georgia through its Office of Adult Education sponsors the annual Dinah Culbreath Wayne Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) Leadership Institute.

Accompanying Jaycee in Atlanta were Executive Director of Adult Education Susan Cross, EAGLE Coordinator Precious Landaverde, and Adult Education Instructor Annette Merier.

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

Photo: STC 2022 EAGLE Jaycee Scott

By Makaylee Randolph Staff Writer, Vidalia Advance

Southeastern Technical College Foundation dedicated the boardroom to legendary Vidalia citizen Moses “Mose” M. Coleman, Jr. on Thursday, February 3, 2022.

“Mose was a pillar of the community when where we are standing was just dirt, trees, and forest,” STC President Larry Calhoun emphasized. “He was one of the founding fathers of Southeastern Tech and supported it mightily through the years. Back then it was an institute, but now we are a technical college with the same accreditation that Georgia Tech or University of Georgia have. A lot of that goes back to people who invested in the community, like Mose.”

STC’s Foundation Treasurer Dennis Ingley also commented on Coleman‘s impact on the area during his lifetime. “Anyone who got to know him knew that he was dedicated to this area, his family, this community, and education. He loved education.” Ingley continued, “One of the things that stood out for me was his generosity and giving. He would give in all kinds of ways. He often gave his time and resources – things other than money. His dedication to STC was very uncommon. He started when the school started in 1989. He was on the Foundation Board for around 10 years, where he also served as treasurer.”

Ingley told attendees. “He loved to write books and wrote books on just about every cemetery in this part of the state. He was quite an interesting guy when it came to studying and learning, and until the day he died, I don’t think he ever stopped. Mose taught me to take advantage of every minute and second. Every time you get to say something kind or do something good, do it. Don’t waste the time that you are given,” Ingley said. “Mose was a great person. He showed it every day. He gave a lot of money to the college, but I don’t think the money is any comparison to what he really gave. He gave himself to the college and the community, and we certainly appreciate that about him.”

Coleman‘s grandson, Tommy Branch, informed everyone of Coleman‘s story, stating his grandfather was a very humble man and probably never shared a lot about himself. Coleman graduated with an electrical engineering degree from Georgia Tech before beginning to work at Raytheon Corporation as a defense contractor outside of Boston.

When the NASA rocket program was going on in Huntsville, Alabama, Coleman continued to work as a defense contractor but then began working on the program trying to get American aircraft to the moon. He eventually moved to Huntsville to work on the space program at Redstone Arsenal for Brown Engineering and Sperry Rand, where he worked on a telemetry project for Saturn Rockets.

Coleman returned to Vidalia and began working as a young entrepreneur with his father at Coleman Paper Company and at Coleman Sales. Branch shared that Coleman was one of the first people to have a computer in the area, which is described as filling an entire room. This computer was used to create a program for the beer distribution company that Budweiser used throughout that time.

Branch’s grandfather moved his business to what is now the industrial area along Harris Industrial Boulevard in Vidalia and began working with his good friend, Bill Bedingfield. “He had a lot of hobbies and he enjoyed technical things,” Branch said. “Those businesses were his whole life. You could find him working just about until the day he died. His workdays might have started getting a little shorter, but it was always a workday. He would much rather be working, whether it be on his books or searching for Native American cemeteries in the woods. That was just who he was.”

“We are really grateful to you all for recognizing him. He was a really special person, not just because he was my granddad, but because I think everyone that really got to know him would say he was a unique individual that loved education,” said Branch.

Branch concluded, “He had a one-of-a-kind love for others that was very rare. He truly cared for others more than he cared for himself, and that is something today’s world really needs.”

Calhoun commented, “I really think it is appropriate that the Foundation he was such a big part of getting started had the idea to name this boardroom, which is fairly new and larger than the original one, after him, and it is representative of the growth that he contributed and got started.”

The STC Foundation presented a plaque that will be displayed outside of the boardroom and shared an official statement regarding the dedication which reads:
Soon after Mr. Coleman passed away, the Southeastern Technical College Foundation made the recommendation that the boardroom on the Vidalia campus be named in his honor. They felt this was an appropriate way to show appreciation for Mr. Coleman’s dedication and support of STC and technical education. Mr. Coleman was a founding trustee of the former Southeastern Technical Institute, serving for 10 years, after which he served on the STC Board of Directors for three years. We are tremendously grateful for his life and for the generosity he showed us with both his time and financial resources.

(L-R) Branch, STC Executive Director for Institutional Advancement Blythe Wilcox, and STC President Larry Calhoun

Keegan Spell, Radiologic Technology Instructor and Clinical Coordinator, has been awarded Southeastern Technical College’s (STC) Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year and Riley Corner, an Associate of Science in Nursing student, has been named as the College’s winner of the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL).

The announcement of winners was made at Southeastern Tech’s 2022 Rick Perkins and GOAL Awards Ceremony on January 20 in Vidalia’s Tattnall Auditorium by President Larry Calhoun.

The Rick Perkins Award honors faculty who have been nominated by their peers for outstanding accomplishments and significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields.

STC’s other finalists for instructor of the year were Tony Criswell, Electrical Construction Technology Instructor, and Stephannie Waters, Medical Assisting Instructor.

The GOAL program highlights the importance of technical education and recognizes the outstanding achievements of Georgia’s technical college students and emphasizes the importance of technical education in today’s global workforce. This statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) honors excellence in academics and leadership.

“Being nominated for GOAL is one of the highest honors an STC student can achieve,” said President Larry Calhoun. “To be nominated a student must have completed 12 credit hours, have at least a B average, and be in good standing at our College. Additionally, the student must recognize the impact of technical education on Georgia’s economic health and be willing to serve as an ambassador for technical education.”

GOAL winners are selected at each of the TCSG’s 22 technical colleges. A screening committee of college administrators reviewed nominations and conducted interviews with the students. Four finalists were chosen to give a speech and interview with a panel of local business, civic, and industry leaders for a winner to be chosen.

The other GOAL finalists were Kaitlyn Corner, Associate of Science in Nursing student from Montgomery County, Grayson Griffaw, Dental Hygiene student from Evans County, and Laura Lee, Associate of Science in Nursing student from Emanuel County.

Riley, from Montgomery County, was nominated by her instructor, Donna Jean Braddy. After graduation, Riley plans to obtain her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and work as a traveling nurse touring the country.

“I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that our faculty changes lives, one life at a time, and these winners will represent Southeastern Tech well,” said President Calhoun.

To become state winners, college representatives will compete at the regional level in February where three finalists are selected from each of TCSG’s three regions. Nine regional finalists move to the state-level competition in Atlanta in April. The state winners will serve as ambassadors for technical education in Georgia and a voice of technical colleges, making many public appearances throughout the year.

The State GOAL Winner, TCSG’s Student of the Year, receives a grand prize of a new car provided by Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, a statewide corporate sponsor of Georgia’s GOAL program.

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

Photo: 2022 GOAL Student of the Year Riley Corner, STC President Larry Calhoun, and 2022 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year Keegan Spell

Nine students graduated from the Radiologic Technology program on Thursday, December 2, at Southeastern Technical College’s (STC) pinning ceremony in Vidalia.

Ansley Brannen and Grace Reed of Statesboro, Deyra Colmenares of Vidalia, Cesar Marquez and Jennifer Sabillon of Hazlehurst, Maegan McCumbers of Oak Park, Stormy Messex of Swainsboro, Corissa Vaughn of Baxley, and Katrina Walker of Uvalda graduated from STC with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Radiologic Technology, completing a program that took two years on- and off-campus.

“These graduates have persevered without complaints and have done a great job. They have completed 54 programmatic credit hours of academic instruction and over 900 hours of clinical education time,” said Radiologic Technology Program Director Tara Powell. “Additionally, they have completed clinical competency exams and performed and participated in about one-quarter of the total exams performed at each of our clinical education sites.”

The guest speaker for the event was Kristie Eudy, salutatorian of the first Radiologic Technology class of STC. She is currently the diagnostic imaging director at Jeff Davis Hospital.

“You’re entering one of the most rewarding careers in the medical field, with countless opportunities for learning and advancement,” said Ms. Eudy. “I have had the privilege to teach, mentor, work with, and hire many students who have come from this college. Of all my experiences, this class has really touched me. They have shown integrity and tenacity while conducting themselves in a professional manner far beyond their training.”

The students paid back part of their education by giving awards to several departments and employees with whom they studied before receiving awards of their own.

The award for Most Outstanding Student Technologist, voted on by the program’s clinical education affiliates, went to Stormy Messex. The Academic Achievement Award of Excellence went to Katrina Walker, who had the highest GPA in the program.

For more information on the Radiologic Technology program at STC, visit www.southeasterntech.edu or call (912) 538-3100 or (478) 289-2200.

Photo: (L to R) Program Director/Instructor Tara Powell, Cesar Marquez, Grace Reed, Jennifer Sabillon, Deyra Colmenares, Maegan McCumbers, Corissa Vaughn, Stormy Messex, Katrina Walker, Ansley Brannen, and Clinical Coordinator/Instructor Keegan Spell

Southeastern Technical College (STC) welcomed two new board members at the September board meeting.

Michael Harrison and Will Heath were sworn in as STC’s Board of Directors by Judge Don Wilkes, to represent Johnson County and Treutlen County, respectively.

Harrison, replacing Donnie Sweat, is a Certified Public Accountant, employed with Sweat and Harrison, LLC. He graduated from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Accountancy-Taxation. Harrison also serves on the STC accounting advisory committee.

“I’m thankful to be chosen to be a voice for STC. The time spent to educate people on the importance of technical education is meaningful, as it benefits so many people in so many ways. I’ve always advised people to consider a technical college because a four-year program isn’t for everyone,” said Harrison.

Heath, replacing David Walden, is an Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College graduate with a bachelor’s degree and has spent his career in forestry.

“Having been an employer for more than ten years now, it’s harder and harder to find skilled labor. With a degree or diploma from a technical school, the skilled can name their price. We have to connect students with the resources like STC,” said Heath.

The new board members are scheduled to attend the annual Technical College Directors’ Association of Georgia (TCDA) Leadership Conference in Savannah, Georgia later this month to complete the requirements to become certified members.

Becoming certified denotes that board members are knowledgeable about the technical college system and demonstrates their commitment to STC, making them valuable representatives of the college.

The TCDA conference is often attended by college presidents, the state board, and the governor.

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

Photo: (left to right) President Larry Calhoun, Will Heath, Michael Harrison, Judge Don Wilkes

Southeastern Tech Congratulates Summer Semester 2021 President’s List

Southeastern Technical College announces the Summer Semester 2021 President’s List.

These students earned a grade point average of 3.75 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more credit hours for the semester.

Coffee County: Cecilia Rojas

Emanuel County: Cheryl Cannady, Justin Drake

Evans County: Kayla Shuman, Macee Wise

Tattnall County: Alberto Hernandez Lopez, Axel Martinez, Landry Tatum

 Toombs County: Lacey Aleywine, Christopher Dykes, Dalton Henriott, Luci Jordan, Elizabeth Loosberg, Ronald Sikes, Herschel Thompson

Treutlen County: Jason Cauley, Hunter Williams

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

Congratulations!

Spring Semester 2021 President’s List

Congratulations to the Spring Semester President’s List! These students earned a 3.75 GPA or higher for the semester while enrolled in 12 or more credit hours.

Appling County:        Corissa Bass, Anna Brady, Madison Edenfield, Kimbrell Higginbotham

Bulloch County:         Rudolph Perkins

Candler County:         Nicole Dasher, Nancy Hernandez Gonzalez

Chatham County:       Olivia Head

Coffee County:            Cecilia Rojas

Emanuel County:        Cheryl Cannady, Joshua Fondren, Laketia Pullen

Evans County:             Kayla Shuman, Cathy Vordermeier, Macee Wise

Jeff Davis County:      Tristen Herndon, Jennifer Sabillon

Jenkins County:          Bonnie Milton

Johnson County:        Areil Kent, Kaylah Parrish

Laurens County:         Chandler Flanders, Joseph Mullis, Davis Skeeters

Liberty County:           Marcie Hunt

Long County:              Jennifer Mcphall

Montgomery County: Ethan Hardeman, Emily Mushrush, Madison Powell, Katrina Walker

Screven County:         Lowretta Florence

Tattnall County:          Ethan Duckworth, Kyle Joseph, Amber Mullins, Kimberly Nunez, Lauren Reeves, Pedro Sanchez, Sawyer Floyd

Toombs County:         Jessica Barwick, Esmeralda Castro, Autumn Claxton-Blunt, Ashley  Drew, Christopher Dykes, James Dykes, Nathan Feimster, Tristen Guerra,  Elizabeth Loosberg, Te’a Mercer, Chase Miller, Ronald Sikes, Takira  Thomas, Herschel Thompson, Tavien Vogt, Ashley Warf, Gina Williamson

Treutlen County:         Marina Azzarella, Christopher Lynn, Sho Peebles, Haley Richardson,  Hunter Williams

Wheeler County:         Harley Johns

Southeastern Technical College (STC) has introduced a new element to enhance the training of the students enrolled in STC’s Emergency Services Education programs. With the help of a grant, STC purchased an indoor ambulance simulator. The simulator has been delivered and is ready for use by the EMT and Paramedic classes.

The ambulance simulator will be used to add a higher level of realism to training scenarios. One of the most important aspects of the job for an EMT is knowing exactly how to perform their learned skills inside of an ambulance. It’s crucial that students understand how ambulance vehicles work and how to work safely while inside of one.

“The simulator will better educate students by taking them out of their classroom seats and giving them hands-on practice in the ambulance simulator before practicing their skills in the clinical setting,” explained Jim Jones, EMS Program Director. “The students can learn in a safe, realistic, and high-intensity environment.”

The simulator includes many aspects that a functioning ambulance would have. Features include a patient stretcher, an oxygen outlet, interior storage cabinets, a squad bench, a disposable sharps container, suction, and more. Students will be given the opportunity to practice tasks and procedures in an environment representing an actual ambulance workspace.

The ambulance simulator was presented to the advisory committee for tour by the members and STC’s administration thanked the committee for their support of the program.

“Jim is an excellent instructor and we are so fortunate to have had him teaching with us for almost 20 years. We have students driving from many miles around to attend his classes. We are excited to be able to use this simulator to help us with our lab and some simulated clinical, especially during this pandemic. The combination of Jim’s experience and the program’s state-of-the-art equipment gives our students the best opportunity to be successful,” said Teresa Coleman, Vice President for Academic Affairs.

 The Emergency Services Education programs at STC allow students to learn and complete training to become an EMT, Advanced EMT, or Paramedic. For more information on these programs, or other programs Southeastern Technical College offers, visit southeasterntech.edu or call (912) 538-3100 or (478) 289-2200.

Photo: Jim Jones, Emergency Services Education Program Director

Southeastern Technical College (STC) has been ranked #1 in Georgia’s practical nursing colleges by PRACTICALnursing.org. This review is based on National Council Licensure Examination for Licensed Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) exam first-time pass rates over the past several years.

STC’s Practical Nursing program is offered in Vidalia and in Swainsboro, designed to prepare students to write the NCLEX-PN for licensure as practical nurses. The program prepares graduates to give competent nursing care through a selected number of general core and occupational courses providing a variety of techniques and materials. Students take part in a number of clinical experiences so that theory and practice are integrated under the guidance of the clinical instructor.

Once a student has completed general core and occupational classes, he/she is admitted into the Practical Nursing program based on a competitive admissions process. The program then generally takes a minimum of three consecutive semesters to complete. Students enter the program in either Fall or Spring semesters.

“The Practical Nursing faculty attributes this success and recognition to the dedicated faculty members, leadership, and staff at STC. We strive on a daily basis to promote excellence, teamwork, and consistency throughout the Practical Nursing program. The faculty strive to make decisions regarding program development using evidenced-based practice, which teaches our students to provide high-quality patient care. We are shown support and encouragement by our leaders in administration and have dedicated staff members that work to make our program successful as well. We are grateful for this recognition and believe it truly reflects the commitment of the faculty to the success of each student,” said Rachel Sikes, Practical Nursing instructor.

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

Photo: Fall 2019 – STC Practical Nursing graduates and instructors