Both STC Student & Instructor of the Year Among Top Nine State Finalists
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