FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2008
Contact Ben Chambers, (770) 537-5756
GOAL: WCTC STUDENT FINISHES IN STATE TOP FIVE
West Central Technical College nursing student Jennifer Collins is congratulated by Ron Jackson, commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia, after placing in the top five in statewide GOAL competition.
West Central Technical College nursing student Jennifer Collins finished the Technical College System of Georgia student of the year competition in the top five, as the winner was announced in ceremonies last week at the Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta.
Collins won the College-level competition earlier this year, and competed among the top echelon of students representing the state’s 33 technical colleges in the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership competition.
As a semi-finalist, Collins participated in judging for the 37th annual state winner, a title awarded to Ogeechee Technical College radiology student Laura “Molly” Bickerton.
“We couldn’t be more proud of the way Jennifer represented us throughout the GOAL competition,” President Dr. Skip Sullivan said.
TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson also congratulated Collins for being one of the finalists. “The competition to be named our Student of the Year is a challenging process that’s open to each of Georgia’s 141,000 technical college students. To reach this level, as one of 12 semi-finalists and a top five finalist, is an exceptional achievement. I commend Jennifer Collins for her outstanding effort and for being such a great representative of West Central Tech.”
A panel of judges representing business and industry rated students after personal interviews with each student and an examination of scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, community involvement and future aspirations.
“The GOAL competition has been the experience of a lifetime,” Collins said, “and I am so honored to have represented West Central Technical College. This week was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the Technical College System of Georgia and its amazing students across the state.”
Collins, who is working toward a degree in Registered Nursing, also credited her nominating instructor Nihal Gunay, a psychology instructor on the Carroll Campus of WCTC.
“I love West Central for helping me achieve my goals, and especially the instructor, Nihal Gunay, who went above and beyond the classroom in her dedication to my education,” she said.
“We are all very proud of Jennifer and her accomplishments,” Director of Career Services Elise Johnson said. “Jennifer is an outstanding example of the excellence and professionalism we see in our students. She is a champion for technical education and realizes its importance for Georgia’s communities and economic well-being.” Johnson serves as College coordinator for the GOAL competition.
“Technical colleges provide so many services to our community by offering high quality, affordable education that is accessible to adults at every age,” Collins said. “West Central has made going back to school at my age possible, and when I graduate I will have a successful and secure future as an RN. Technical Education has changed my life.
The Technical College System of Georgia oversees 33 technical colleges throughout the state. In 2007, more than 140,000 students attended TCSC colleges, which offer small classes, hands-on experience and focused instructor attention in more than 600 programs, including healthcare, aerospace, agribusiness, life sciences, and much more. The TCSG also manages the state’s adult education and GED programs as well as Quick Start, an economic development incentive for attracting new investment to the state and promoting job creation.
West Central Technical College, with campuses in Carroll, Coweta, Douglas and Haralson counties, offers over 90 associate degree, diploma and technical certificate programs of study. A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, West Central last year served over 10,000 students including credit enrollment, adult education, ESL classes, continuing education and corporate training. West Central is the fastest-growing technical college in Georgia.
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