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Sustainable and Alternative Energy
Preparing for the FUTURE p.15
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A BETTER LAB Experience for PHARMACY p.3
More than
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In Scholarships for EMS Students ®
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WELCOME
Fall 2021
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Welcome to the latest issue of ACCESS!
Albany Technical College has made plans to resume offering a more robust fall semester 2021 course calendar. We understand that it is our responsibility to make the learning and teaching environment as safe as possible. We also understand that other activities related to college attendance require safe interaction between students and our staff. We intend to do as much as we can, as safely as we can, as quickly as we can.
Your community’s technical college has redesigned the student services area so that prospects and students may be advised, tested, counseled, and registered in an environment that is much safer than even before COVID. We continue to use low-touch kiosks to schedule onsite appointments and walk-ins. We will continue to schedule appointments to maximize productivity and minimize trips to campus. Office cubicles have been redesigned with sliding doors to reduce the possibility of biologic microbe exchanges upon entry and exit. Student services workstation signs are much larger to minimize the likelihood of guests and students becoming Dr. Anthony O. Parker lost while President
seeking services. Work surfaces are made of more cleanable materials so that each station is sanitized after a guest. The workflow has been redesigned so that visitors to the campus move from station to station in one direction. The testing center has been redesigned to safely separate students. Any test that can offer online with a high degree of integrity has been and will continue to be provided online.
FEATURE STORIES
Read insights about the following areas at Albany Tech.
Dr. JaNee Mobley
Chair, Pharmacy Technology
All full-time faculty at Albany Technical College has private offices with a door for the confidentiality of student counseling. That level of privacy also creates a safer environment for one-on-one interactions with students. Adjunct faculty have been assigned temporary offices in the Advisement Center and Academic Achievement Center. Those shared spaces are designed to be cleaned after each meeting. We continue to clean lab equipment and redesign instructional space as needed. The student center/student activities areas should be completing their modifications by September 1, 2021. Our prior safety protocols remain until then. Only faculty, staff, and students that work in the child development center are allowed access. Medical programs will continue using CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health protocols. High-touch programs will continue using industry standards.
Dr. Chedley Yahya
Instructor, Sustainable Renewable & Alternative Energy
Tracie Naylor-Griffin Chair, Paramedicine
CONTINUED ON PG 14
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ACCESS is a news magazine published by the Marketing and Public Relations Office at Albany Technical College. Send inquiries to publicrelations@albanytech.edu
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Fall 2021 ®
FEATURE
The Pharmacy Program Is Keeping Up With The Times
LAB REMODEL The Pharmacy Technology Department at Albany Technical College is currently undergoing renovations and updates to include new equipment and updated software. It is vitally important in the industry that we, as an educational institution, prepare our students to be workforce ready and able to adapt to the newest equipment and procedures. At present, we are in the process of reconstructing the community pharmacy lab, a mock pharmacy which represents pharmacies such as Walgreens or Wal-Mart. In addition, the hospital pharmacy lab is nearly complete and closely mimics a real hospital pharmacy setting.
A Chat with Dr. JaNee Mobley, Chair of Pharmacy Technology
ATC students in the Pharmacy Technology program are trained to become pharmacy technicians and are prepared to work in any pharmacy setting locally or aboard. The advantage of the lab remodel will provide a near real-life work experience. This especially holds true with in hospital pharmacy labs which includes an anteroom in which technicians perform such tasks as gowning,
hand and forearm hygiene, labelling, etc., and a cleanroom for compounding medications in a sterile environment. Students will practice full simulation of both the anteroom and cleanroom gaining the full Pharmacy Technology experience as if they were in a hospital setting. After completing core courses, a pharmacy technology student will begin entry level pharmacy courses which includes pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy fundamentals, and pharmacology. These three courses are the baseline preparing students for the simulation lab experience in medication preparation with an understanding of how to calculate doses. Hospital pharmacy labs, students will work with needles, syringes, and IV bags. The community pharmacy lab allows
students to experience hands-on with tablets or simulated tablets, capsules, suspensions and syrups. ATC Pharmacology Technology students receive hands-on experience to prepare them
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FEATURE
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fully before they graduate and go out into the community to work. In the hospital simulation lab, students will complete assignments and labs where they will practice preparing hazardous drugs such as chemo medications. Locally our students must do clinicals in their last or senior semester. We have contracts and partnerships with Phoebe (Phoebe Worth, Phoebe Main, Phoebe Sumter), also Crisp County, Walgreens, and CVS. Our former chair, Dr. Teresa Mitchell, has opened up a pharmacy in Baconton, Georgia. We have students who go there and complete their clinicals, which is really exciting. We also have partnerships and contracts with multiple independent pharmacies including Terrell County.
About the Pharmacy Technology Program Program graduates will be able to perform a variety of technical duties related to preparing and dispensing drugs in accordance with standard procedures and laws under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists prepare prescription medications, provide customer service, and perform administrative duties within a pharmacy setting. Pharmacy technicians generally are responsible for receiving prescription requests, counting tablets, and labeling bottles. Skills taught in this program will ensure students know how to calculate medication dosage to prepare prescriptions, transcribe prescriptions written by providers, and be proficient in the top 10 medications, including brand and generic names.
Students will earn a Pharmacy Technology Associate of Applied Science degree or diploma and will then need to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certificate of Examination. They will then qualify to work as pharmacy technicians in hospitals, nursing homes, retail pharmacies, and other facilities.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION Degree program graduates may earn a bachelor’s degree from many schools with current credit transfer agreements with Albany Technical College. For more information about the program, contact Dr. JaNee Mobley, Chair of Pharmacy Technology, at 229.430.3596 or jmobley@albanytech.edu
Fall 2021
INSIGHTS ®
CAREER PLUS HSE STUDENT FEATURED IN UPCOMING VIDEO We want to share the exciting news of Clifford Thomas, an Albany Technical College Career Plus HSE student, who was selected to be featured in a video testimonial by the Technical College System of Georgia’s Adult Education Department. Clifford is joint enrolled in the Career Plus HSE program and Diesel Equipment Technology. Nadia Zuniga, TCSG Communications Assistant of Adult Education, was on hand for the shoot along with Tim Barrett and Jason Seigler from Atomic Studios, a media creation company from Augusta, Georgia. Filming of Clifford took place on the ATC campus Friday, July 9th. WHAT IS CAREER PLUS HSE? Career Plus HSE offers the flexibility to earn a high school equivalency (HSE) without the stress of a high-stakes test. Georgians age 21 and older without a high school diploma can acquire a basic education and high-demand workforce skills at the same time. To find out more, visit albanytech.edu.
In 2021 Remembrance
In April we lost a friend and coworker here at the college. Irish contributed to Albany Technical College’s success and will be dearly missed as we move forward. She was a part of our family and her efforts to the college and our students will never be forgotten. Irish was born in Camilla, and lived most of her life in Albany. She graduated from Monroe High School in the Class of 2001. She attended Darton College, Albany State University, and received her degree from Albany Technical College. Irish has been employed at Albany Tech for 10 years. She was a devoted wife and mother of four who loved her family and her friends. Irish was preceded in death by her son Malik, and by her father, Ira Powell.
IRISH HAMMOND
Help Desk Coordinator Dec 21, 1982 - Apr 6, 2021
JAMES GRIFFIN JR.
Feb 8, 1934 - Jul 11, 2021
Mr. Griffin belonged to numerous professional affiliations, including Chairman of the board, Executive Board member and Treasurer for the 4th District Funeral Service Practitioner’s Inc. and Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners Association and also a member of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, Inc.
Mr. Griffin’s many memberships and appointments included: Advisory Board Abany Chapter of American Red Cross; Member of Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission; appointed by Gov. Joe Frank Harris to the GA Department of Natural Resources; Board member of Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Foundation, Albany State University Foundation, and Regions Bank. Mr. Griffin was the first African American to be appointed to the Board of Tax Assessors of Dougherty County, GA and the first African American to become President of Chamber of Commerce.
After more than a decade of service to the Albany Technical College Board of Directors, Mr. Griffin was recognized in 2011 as a Board Member Emeritus. This designation acknowledges outstanding service to local colleges and is awarded with deepest appreciation for superior service. Dr. Anthony Parker was interviewed by Keshawn Ward of WALB-TV about the passing, and he stated, “He provided a level of influence that I’m sure helped bridge the gap and help ease tensions sometimes and created positive relationships.” Parker said, “Griffin always put the community first. Without Griffin, I wouldn’t have had a smooth transition to the Good Life City. He was certainly a mentor. He made, he gave me an introduction to the right people, people I needed to know, people I needed to talk to and there were sometimes people I would have difficulty getting in touch with. But knowing Mr. Griffin got me to the head of the line.”
Spring 2021
NURSING GRADUATES PRACTICAL NURSING
Top Row: Felicia Battle, Nierial Bennett, Valeria Hernandez, Bernice Kabiro, Angela Marshall Bottom Row: Danielle McNeil, Kaysha Moultrie, Shanice Pyles, Monica Quiroz, Yulia Roach
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
Top Row: Leah Brunswick, Shannon Davis, Macy Edmonds, Melode Hollins, Adrienne Lovette Bottom Row: Heaven McDonald, Jennifer Palmer, Mariela Santos-Carballo, Zabia Solomon, Elizabeth Stanton
Fall 2021
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STUDENTS PREPARE FOR THE SPRING
Radiologic Technology Orientation/Informational Session An orientation/informational session was held June 21 for incoming Spring 2022 Radiologic Technology students. Students were informed of all requirements and expectations, toured classrooms/labs, and asked questions about the program. If interested in Radiology or have any questions, please contact LeAnn Watson at 229.430.6049.
BLOOD DRIVE The Albany Tech Practical Nursing Department, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, had a successful blood drive June 3 on campus. Please consider donating blood next time this event takes place. You could be helping to save someone’s life.
Fall 2021
INSIGHTS ®
A VISIT FROM AIRVAC LIFETEAM
July 1 - Albany Tech EMT Students were able to view an AIRVAC Lifeteam Helicopter, an air ambulance or HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service). The helicopter landed on the ATC campus between the CEIT building and Child Development.
DRIVE THRU DIAPER DAY
A drive through diaper day was held at Albany Technical College through our Special Populations department, who partnered with AmeriGroup, June 23. An AmeriGroup Community Care representative was present to answer questions about member benefits and services. Students received free diapers and other baby items.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK: APRIL 18 - 24 Albany Technical College Faculty and Staff generously donated non-perishable food items to give back to ATC students during National Volunteer Week. 110 eligible ATC students received non-perishable food and a Goodwill voucher for clothing. Many thanks to ATC Faculty and Staff for their donations and volunteer time to make this event a success.
LADY TITANS MAKE THEIR NEXT MOVE On Thursday, April 15, four ATC Lady Titans basketball players put pen to paper with their signature solidifying the next move in their basketball career. #21 Forward Shamya Loman is headed to Talladega College, Talledega, Alabama #24 Center Esmerelda Castillo is remaining in town bringing her talents to Albany State University, Albany, Georgia #32 Guard Tatanyi Morris is moving on to Allen University, Columbia, South Carolina #12 Center Willeshia Kemp signed with the University of Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale, Florida Best wishes to each in their basketball career journey...but once a Titan, always a Titan!
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SPOTLIGHT
ALUMNA
Hi, I’m Tawanna Maples. I am a CPR/BLS Advanced Skills Instructor. I provide training through the American Heart Association in CPR/AED, BLS, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens, Trauma Bleeding Control, Active Assailant/ Shooter, Fire Extinguishers, and Animal CPR. I am the Owner of Cardiac Heroes Mobile CPR. I am an Albany Technical College graduate. In May 2007 I successfully completed the First Class Firefighter Program. This was the start of my career with the Albany Fire Department. I was awarded Firefighter of the Year for saving my fellow firefighter’s life. Prior to undertaking Cardiac Heroes Mobile CPR. I served eight years with the City of Albany Fire Rescue Department. Responding to cardiac arrest was the biggest challenge, but a very rewarding part of my career with the Fire Service. I was inspired to start Cardiac Heroes Mobile CPR after being named Firefighter of the Year. This was after I saved my fellow firefighter’s life. This particular day, my crew and I were eating lunch at the Fire Station. One of the firefighters began choking and I administered the Heimlich maneuver abdominal thrusts. I give CPR annual training all the credit for this amazing award. Also, I was trained by the best captain in the world - Captain Billy Davis. CPR training teaches the fundamentals of life safety. Confidence and readiness is an important key in the moment of reaction in an emergency situation. I completed the BS Business Management from Albany State University. Throughout my education, I have held various professional positions. All in which learning and development played an important part to my success today.
TAWANNA MAPLES
Cardiac Heroes Mobile CPR LLC Alumna, Albany Technical College, Class of 2007
ATC MCLB ALBANY STUDENT INTERNS RECEIVE CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
weeks side-by-side with highly trained professionals at MCLB Albany. This partnership provided a great opportunity for students to acquire knowledge from experts and to demonstrate their technical skills.
The first group of Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany interns from Albany Technical College each received a Certificate of Appreciation for their service.
Student interns L to R: William Sandefur, Engineering Graphics and Drafting Engineering Tech (Electrical); Lorenzo Thomas, Computer Support Specialist Public Affairs (Web Content); Kateria Taylor, Business Management Program Assistant.
On February 4, 2021, Albany Technical College and MCLB Albany signed a Paid Internship Memorandum of Agreement. Selected ATC students participated in paid internships and worked 12
Congratulations, student interns!
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME MESSAGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 Faculty, students, visitors, and staff are encouraged, but not required, to take a temperature check before entering a campus building. As such, temperature screening stations remain in place. Faculty, students, and staff with exposure to COVID, who have not been vaccinated, should continue the Dr. Anthony O. Parker President quarantine process. Faculty, students, and staff who continue to have good reasons to wear a mask or feel safer wearing a mask are encouraged and welcomed to do so. A plan exists to return on hybrid instruction or online if needed. Two recent experiences cause me to predict that some of the changes in how we currently do business are likely permanent. I attempted to order a meal from a fast-food restaurant from the inside kiosk as the drive-through line seemed too long. It took me so long to understand the process that a pre-teen walked up in disgust and said, “tell me what you want, and I’ll place the order.” It doesn’t appear that this restaurant ever plans to return to a Baby Boomer Friendly configuration.
On a recent short business trip, I drove past eleven new car dealerships and many used car lots. All had sparse inventory. However, several had signs out front saying, “NOW HIRING QUALIFIED TECHNICIANS.” The contradictory positions of hiring technicians during low inventory and marginal new car sales prove that this industry depends on us. As workforce developers, what have we done well, and what will we do next to make our learning and support environments safer? Some prospective students are waiting to hear from us before they rejoin the workforce education pipeline. We obviously must consider the health and safety factors. However, we must also consider the customer service ramifications of our changes. Safety and service must be considered and communicated simultaneously for Albany Technical College to return to robust enrollments and graduation rates, as we OPEN FOR BUSINESS.
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Summer 2021 ®
COVER STORY
SUFFICIENT ENERGY TO POWER OUR WORLD
“The most immediate applications of A.I. have been directed toward assisting us in our daily lives: robots to vacuum our floors and deliver our groceries or deep learning programs to help us decide what is best to eat - all to make our lives feel somewhat easier. To do so, however, requires data, lots of data. And in the gathering of that data, A.I. can become invasive, making our lives feel somewhat more vulnerable.”
SUSTAINABLE RENE WABLE AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
According to Earth.org - a publisher of environmental news, data analysis, research, and policy solutions - renewable energy capacity is set to expand 50% between 2019 and 2024, led by solar energy. The International Energy Agency (IEA) Renewable 2020 Report, found that solar, wind, and hydropower projects are rolling out at their fastest rate in four years. The world, our country, and even the state of Georgia is beginning to come alive about the possibilities of renewable energy in the future. Two of the cleanest sources of energy, solar and wind energy, are being looked at even closer and developed as viable sources, as we see increasing growth in production not only for a national grid, but for the possibilities in residential use. Obtaining zero emissions in the energy that is being produced seems promising and the financial opportunities ripple down to the local level with job opportunities that are sustainable for years to come. Hydropower, wind power, and solar power are all being looked at very closely as long-term options for a cleaner future for generations. International issues using hot-button words like global warming and fossil fuel dependency have been discussed for years. The long-term results of these global topics even bring to question health effects that are associated over time because of exposure. The good news is that there is a possibility of 100% renewable energy, but it will take time and obviously some countries will have an easier go of the whole transition than other countries. Hydropower is the most efficient source of renewable energy currently because the simple ease of controlling water makes it the most prominent choice. Solar and wind power both have their advantages and disadvantages. For example, countries like Saudi Arabia would have an easier time switching to solar power than say Denmark because of the number of hours that the sun is available in each country per day throughout the year. The major advantage to both solar and wind is that they both create an unlimited energy, completely without fossil fuels which we depend on so heavily today. A better future for our children is a reason to make the investment and the change that will mean so much for the future. The overall global health will start to improve. Fewer floods and droughts will occur globally. There will be an economic growth that will create jobs and stable incomes as well as reinvestment revenue in small town districts and local tax savings. As all these changes take place, low-risk investment opportunities will start to grow. The reduction in carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxide emissions alone will be staggering as statistics start to emerge.
Fall 2021
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According to Solar Power World, a premier media outlet for the U.S. solar market, renewables generated more than a quarter (25.7%) of the country’s electricity in April 2021. This growth is driven primarily by the expansion of wind and solar generated electricity and the trend is consistent for more than a decade. While renewables share increased, that of fossil fuels and nuclear power has receded.
WHAT I S ... SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
can be defined as a form of energy that can be utilized again and again without putting a source in danger of getting depleted, expired, or vanished.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
is defined as energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as the wind or sun. We can use an unlimited amount of the sun or wind’s energy because its supply is infinite.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
SUSTAINABLE RENEWABLE AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AT ALBANY TECHNICAL COLLEGE The need for a Sustainable Renewable and Alternative Energy Program was discussed back in 2017. The college was able to identify that there was going to be a local industry driven need for these jobs in the near future as new energy employment was also increasing around the country. The substantive summary was presented to the state board in early 2018. Albany Technical College was approved to teach the curriculum on August 3, 2018. The brand new lab location is in the newly constructed Carlton building that was recently finished with a ribbon cutting on March 11, 2021 . Dr. Chedly Yahya was hired as a full-time instructor for Sustainable Renewable & Alternative Energy at Albany Technical College in 2021.
ABOUT THE DIPLOMA PROGRAM The Sustainable Renewable and Alternative Energy diploma program concentrates on Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Small Wind Technology (50 kW/h and smaller). This program prepares students for entry-level positions in the field of renewable energy technicians and technical maintenance. Emphasis is placed on “green” technologies including electricity, wind, photovoltaics, solar thermal, energy efficiency, and smart grid technology.
is defined as energy that does not come from coal, oil, gas, or wood, especially energy from moving water, wind, the sun, or animal waste.
Students develop the practical skills needed to install, troubleshoot, and maintain photovoltaic, wind turbines, and solar thermal systems. The course work includes theory and lab practice in energy fundamentals; sustainability; construction practices; electrical currents; and energy measures and efficiency.
SOURCES: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/ pii/B9780128095973005393
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to properly select and install a solar thermal or wind energy system on a variety of sites; inspect, troubleshoot, and repair an existing solar thermal system; conduct a site analysis, including load analysis; and demonstrate proper methods for electrical wiring of solar arrays/systems (AC and DC) among other tasks.
https://www.power-and-beyond.com/ what-is-renewable-energy-definition-typesand-challenges-a-1027368/?cmp=go-ta-arttrf-PuB_DSA-20200714&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5uWGBhCTARIsAL70sLLnxUXoPEOKd9SF4F-UqtBPPqJuRqu1rxEt3KvlcxAA_4cPCN6n9i0aAqaVEALw_wcB https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/ english/alternative-energy
Graduates of this program will receive a Sustainable Renewable and Alternative Energy diploma and will be prepared to take the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Entry Level Exam. Solar and wind industry employers look for this credential when hiring employees.
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“There is a lot of information beyond a diploma. We have pathways for students to follow so they can earn an associate degree or even a bachelor’s degree at a university” -Dr. Chedly Yahya
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COVER STORY
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DR. CHEDLY YAHYA
Instructor, Sustainable Renewable and Alternative Energy
MEET THE INSTRUCTOR I was hired as an instructor and a chair to build and promote this new program on sustainable, renewable and alternative energy. The program aims to train students to contribute to building renewable energy systems like solar photovoltaic and solar thermal wind energy. With these renewable energy systems, there are lots of methods, but they depend on geography. So usually, if we are in Georgia, we must focus on the things that work for Georgia. Most of what’s good for Georgia will be solar now and maybe biomass with the forest and all these biological things that you process to get energy. We will be training students, and my focus will be first on photovoltaic solar. That’s the one I’m trained in, and I know the most about. Even Georgia Power is going for solar photovoltaic. I will prepare students to be able to build these systems. The solar professionals are called installers. They will install these photovoltaic panels. There are even jobs before you get to install these systems - someone has to survey the area. For example, with solar its
imperative. Solar must be away from shade, obstructions, so you have to survey. We will also include things in our program to train students to analyze the area and suggest any changes to optimize. We want to make sure to get the most optimal results based on good surveying. We will train students for installing these systems, surveying the environment, and after installing, there are jobs in maintaining systems. Some large solar plants need daily employees to be on the site, making sure nothing is covered. There is electrical wiring also, so there’s training and installing electrical systems on location. There is a lot of information beyond a diploma, so I’m sure some students, at least from the program that I’m teaching now, want to further their studies. We’ll make sure we have pathways for students to follow. They could go with an associate degree, move on to a bachelor’s, or move to a university. The program is open enough to allow for that. The Sustainable Renewable and Alternative Energy Program is exceptional. It came about as a solution, an alternative solution to the different energies other than the fossil fuels which impact our environment with pollution. In that sense, it’s remarkable. We want people to learn about these new cars, such as electric vehicles, which create less
pollution, a more environmentally friendly solution. That’s one of the points that we use to encourage people to go into this program. It’s not just about jobs and money. It’s also for our whole environment, our community, and our country. There is a person I was reading about who has a company called Sunpro, started in Louisiana, and now he’s all over the whole South, and he’s #5 in the country. So, people can go and create their own business also. There are options to become management or manage projects or get other certificates and get promoted. There are many paths for promotion. It’s not limited in that sense. About my teaching, I have experience with students from different backgrounds. And based on my personality, I’m very straightforward. I like to succeed. I came from a poor family, and I made it through that, so I value that process - the process of learning and growing. I don’t just talk, and that’s it. I make sure students are learning, and I follow up. I monitor the students every day. For example, I’m teaching remotely right now, so I put an exam out and give them a couple of days to do the exam or quiz, etc. And I follow up and if I see someone behind, I contact them with concerns and ask what’s happening, is there a problem. How can I help? That’s how I approach this job. I make
sure students learn, and if they are having problems, I make sure I know about them and try to accommodate them. I do try to push students to achieve, and I have students who tell me that they work 12 hours a day or some other similar situation. I don’t want them to give up, so I have students I communicate with every day to help solve issues. These days there are lots of people who have challenges. As educators, we have to be able to help. In that sense, it’s not just talking like robots. There’s a human factor in there. That’s how I see myself succeed, and that’s how I handle things. I have the knowledge, but I make sure I don’t just throw it out there. I try to make sure it’s like a farmer, meaning you have to prepare things, you have to follow up. You have to take care so that things grow, and you can see the fruits and then be happy about the student’s success. There are lots of challenges, and students are becoming less focused. We, as instructors, have to change the old ways of teaching. We have to adapt, so that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m not perfect, but I think I’m trying to find the right ways, the right tools.
Dr. Chedly Yahya has 24 years in academia and teaching here in the U.S. and overseas. He also has two years teaching in the optical communications field at Lucent Technologies.
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COVER STORY ®
MORE ABOUT CLEAN ENERGY Good for the Economy. Good for the Environment. From the Clean Jobs America Report
Changes in government policy could mean a massive boost in the U.S. jobs market and the national economy. While the clean energy industry in general has seen a slump because of the Covid-19 pandemic, there is optimism that the industry will bounce back much stronger with the investment of billions of dollars in grid modernization, energy efficiency, and electric vehicle charging networks that will create the support for a cleaner more resilient economy. The current federal administration plans to boost renewable energy and modernize the nation’s power grid and transportation system with more electric vehicles and supporting charging stations. Plans are also in place to invest billions of dollars in workforce training and creating career paths in clean energy for Americans. As of 2020, total clean energy employment in the state of Georgia was 71,111 employed. There was a 9.9% job growth from 2018 to 2020 with a 29.6% job increase in the state from June to December 2020 in the clean energy sector. Clean energy jobs are most represented in the larger metropolitan areas, but rural America is catching up with nearly 400,000 workers or 13% of clean energy’s entire workforce. That number is even higher in 21 of the state’s rural areas which account for more than 25% of those states clean energy employment. Albany, Georgia, made the U.S. Clean Energy Employment by Metro List with a total of 103 renewable energy jobs and a total of 960 clean energy jobs. (The total includes all clean energy sectors: renewable energy; solar; wind; storage and grid; energy efficiency; clean fuels and vehicles.) Source: E2 2021 Clean Jobs America Report. E2.org
Fall 2021
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Fall 2021
INSIGHTS
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FACULTY MEMBER RECEIVED SPECIAL AWARD
DR. PARKER RECEIVED CHAMBER HONORS
Congratulations to Chef Matthew Beard, recipient of a 2020 NISOD Excellence Award. NISOD -- the National Institute for Staff and Occupational Development -- is a membership organization committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning, and leadership at community and technical colleges. Chef Beard is the Chair and Instructor in Culinary Arts.
Dr. Anthony Parker received a certificate of membership award as a Military Affairs Committee Member from the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce on June 1. This recognition is given in appreciation to those members whose continued commitment to actively engage the military and the business community in the Albany area.
LAKESHA BOONE
AALIHYA WHITENER
Congratulations to LaKesha Boone, Albany Technical College’s 2021 recipient of the Rick Perkins Award, Instructor of the Year. LaKesha has been a faculty member in Criminal Justice Technology at Albany Tech since 2018.
Congratulations to Aalihya Whitener, the ATC Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner. Aalihya is a Dental Assisting student with a passion for helping others. She will complete her studies in December.
ATC Rick Perkins Winner 2021
ATC GOAL Winner 2021
LISA STEPHENS
DEAN OF BUSINESS AND HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGY Ms. Stephens was recently elected to the Georgia Society of Radiologic Technologists, Inc. Board of Directors as Vice-President at the 70th Annual Meeting held in Jekyll Island. Lisa Stephens is the Dean of Academic Affairs for the Business/Healthcare Technology Division at Albany Technical College. She earned her Associate degree in Radiologic Technology from Central Georgia Tech where she also completed a certificate in Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and has an Associate degree in Advanced Medical Imaging. She continued on to Emory School of Medicine to earn her Bachelor of Medical Science degree in Medical Imaging with an emphasis in Education. She also completed her Masters of Business Administration at Mercer University. Her involvement in the profession has included membership in the GSRT, now serving two terms as Member-at-Large, 2018-2020 Student Affairs Committee Chair, and the American Society of Radiologic Technologist (ASRT) 2013 Student Leadership Development Program participant. She is also the 2019-2020 Chair for the Georgia Educator’s Association of Radiation and Medical Imaging (GEARMI). Ms. Stephens previously served as an MRI Technologist for Radiology Associates of Macon; CT Technologist for the Medical Center/Navicent Health of Central Georgia; MRI Technologist for Coliseum Medical Centers - Macon; and a Radiologic Technologist for Medical Center/Navicent Health of Central Georgia. She is credentialed by the American Registry Radiologic Technologists in Radiography, Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
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Fall 2021
FEATURE
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INTERVIEW WITH
Our program consists of the EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic education. We have the EP12 EMS Professions Diploma, which is entry-level to the profession. It covers the EMT certification as well as the Advanced EMT certification. We also have the new FIE3 Fire and EMS Occupation degree. This is for those who want to be cross-trained in Fire and EMS, and we can also accommodate those students. That’s the entry-level.
CHAIR/INSTRUCTOR, TRACIE NAYLOR-GRIFFIN BS, NRP
Once students obtain their advanced EMT certification, they can roll into our paramedic program. Albany Technical College offers a diploma and a degree at the paramedic level, and those students can take the national registry certifying exam and become a paramedic after four semesters.
PARAMEDICINE PROGRAM
I think that the ability to learn how to take care of people is probably the most exciting thing to me. We train with the newest equipment and technology that’s available. We have excellent partnerships, one of them being Air Evac. They come in and do LZ classes and help us with additional training. And it’s always exciting whenever you see a helicopter takeoff. We also have excellent partnerships with area EMS services. They provide preceptors and training for our students whenever they do their clinical ride times. We make simulation in the lab as realistic as possible. Our department has an excellent faculty with veteran instructors and
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veteran paramedics that can make that training realistic and prepare students before they ever actually get out there and start working in the field. After two semesters, Albany Technical College’s EMT graduates are eligible to sit for their national certifying exam at the EMT level. Once they obtain that certification, they can finally get a Georgia license, and with that, start working with any of the EMS departments in the area. Usually, EMTs start somewhere between $14 and $15 an hour, depending on the service. Graduates can continue their training to the advanced EMT level, and with that advanced EMT certification and license, they can then get a pay increase. There is a tremendous EMS shortage not just in the state but in the country as a whole. And most area departments, because of the personnel shortage, offer opportunities for graduates to start full-time as advanced EMTs, and they’re making somewhere around $16 an hour. Advanced EMTs can then continue their training to the paramedic level, and paramedics will start around $18 to $19 an hour with some of the area services. EMS diploma graduates can continue once they start working. They can continue to come back and get their degree in either the Fire and EMS Occupation degree or start working on their degree level core. Whenever they begin the paramedic program, they can finish or continue their training for the paramedic degree level. They can continue with some of the colleges that offer bachelor’s degrees in EMS as well as in public health and health management. They can also continue and do the Paramedic to RN bridge program. They can take that degree and do a multitude of things with it. EMT is entry-level to the profession. They’re limited to the actual skills they can perform. They can still be an excellent part of the EMS team whenever they respond to 911 calls.
Advanced EMT is the next level, the next step up. As an advanced EMT, you can do more for your patients; you can push more medications; do more advanced skills; include more airway management skills. The third level is the Paramedic level. With that, they can do significantly advanced airway techniques, handle many medications, and all those advanced level skills that are critical whenever a patient is injured or sick. We don’t train you for the exam. We train you for the day that you’re the only thing standing between the patient and the grave. We teach you and prepare you for how to take care of patients. And if you genuinely want to help somebody, if you want to be a benefit to your community, to the people that live in your area, then come see us. We will be happy to train you to the paramedic level. One of the things that we say most frequently with our program is practice makes perfect. Perfect practice makes permanent. And we train you and build those instincts so that you can be the absolute best provider for emergency prehospital care.
EMT/PARAMEDICINE People’s lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. Incidents such as automobile accidents, heart attacks, slips and falls, childbirth, and gunshot wounds require immediate medical attention. In an emergency, EMTs and paramedics are typically dispatched by a 911 operator to the scene, where they often work with police and firefighters. Once they arrive, EMTs and paramedics assess the nature of the patient’s condition, while trying to determine whether the patient has any pre-existing medical conditions. Following protocols and guidelines, they provide emergency care and transport the patient to a medical facility. All EMS students have mandatory clinical requirements in the emergency center/ hospital as well as in an area Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department. Students participate in real emergencies, working with nurses, veteran paramedics, and Advanced EMTs as they take care of sick and injured patients.
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OPTIONS FOR OBTAINING CREDENTIALS
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ENTRY LEVEL - Graduates of the EMS Professions program receive a diploma and two Technical Certificates of Credit (TCCs) for Emergency Medical Technician (EMJ1) and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (EMH1). After completing the first two of three semesters, students are eligible to take the National Registry EMT Certification Exam and can begin working with area EMS departments. After successful completion of the third semester, students can earn their National Registry Advanced EMT (AEMT) certification. Albany Tech’s new Fire and Emergency Services Associate of Applied Science degree gives students dual training as a firefighter and as an AEMT. ADVANCED LEVEL - Students with AEMT certification are eligible to enter the Paramedic program and earn advanced certification as a paramedic. This major has both a degree and a diploma tract. Students who earn an associate degree are eligible to take the National Registry Paramedic Exam. Once certified, students may apply for their Georgia Paramedic License and begin working as a paramedic in any EMS department, hospital, or clinic that employs paramedics. Students who earn the Paramedicine diploma are eligible to take the National Registry Paramedic Exam and obtain their Georgia Paramedic License to begin working as a paramedic in any EMS department, hospital, or clinic that employs paramedics. Historically, 100 percent of Albany Tech graduates from the EMT/Paramedicine program find employment in this field. OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONTINUED EDUCATION EMT and AEMT students may continue their education in the Paramedic program and many go on to nursing by completing a paramedic to registered nurse (RN) bridge program. Diploma graduates may return to Albany Tech to complete the degree requirements. There are multiple options available for continued education in this field.
CONSIDER YOUR CAREER IN EMT/PARAMEDICINE OVER $30,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships from Phoebe Putney Health System help cover costs for basic EMT students going through the program at Albany Technical College, beginning Fall 2021. For more information about the program, contact Tracie Naylor-Griffin, BS, NRP Chair/Instructor, Paramedicine Program at 229.430.3093 or tnaylorgriffin@albanytech.edu
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FEATURE
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TWO BOARD MEMBERS HONORED
In 2020, Albany Technical College (ATC) lost two very committed friends of the college. To honor these two ATC supporters, the College hosted two special campus dedications in honor of Lemuel Griffin, a member of the Albany Tech Foundation Board of Trustees and Robert Chester, a member of the Albany Technical College Board of Directors.
LEM GRIFFIN MEMORIAL
ROBERT CHESTER MEMORIAL
Family members, friends and community dignitaries were on hand on March 12 of thise year for a street renaming on the Albany Technical College campus. Formerly Career Drive, now renamed Lem Griffin Memorial Drive, is the main entrance to the campus from Slappey Blvd. The road renaming is in honor of Lemuel Griffin, a member of the Albany Tech Foundation Board of Trustees who passed away August 2020.
On March 19, Albany Technical College dedicated a plaque inside the Executive Board Room (Logistics Education Center) to the memory of Robert Chester, a longtime member of the Board of Directors for the College. The ceremony was attended by family members – Mrs. Shirley Chester and Karen Welch Chester, his daughter – as well as other friends and board members.
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ATC FACULTY MEMBER SERVES AS MODERATOR
Left End: Kenneth Singleton ATC Law Enforcement representative: Sergeant Santos Ruizgonzalez, ATC Campus Police (standing in front of Mr. Singleton)
Albany Technical College Academic Dean Kenneth Singleton served as moderator for a Police and Community Relations Workshop hosted by Albany State University Department of Criminal Justice on June 29. Workshop speakers included police chiefs and law enforcement experts from Southwest Georgia. Subjects discussed were issues concerning the police, relationships with the public, and collaboration for the betterment of our communities. Mr. Singleton has more than thirty years teaching experience and is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs-Public Safety and Computer Information Technology Division as well as the ATC Campus Safety Coordinator. Prior to coming to Albany Tech, he served as the District-4 Police Center Commander, Community Oriented Policing
GUEST SPEAKER
Coordinator, and the Public Information Officer for the Albany Police Department. Mr. Singleton was the liaison between the police department; all aspects of the community; and federal, state, local law enforcement and criminal justice agencies throughout the surrounding areas. Additionally, he coordinated all special events, trainings, seminars, speaking engagements, crime prevention efforts to solidify the partnerships between the department and the community, and to promote departmental transparency. In 1999, Mr. Singleton was honored as the Police Officer of the Year before retiring after 23 years of service to the citizens of Albany/ Dougherty County.
Guest speaker, Josh Andrews, a CEREC Equipment Specialist from Dentsply Sirona, demonstrated to Albany Technical College Dental Assisting students the CEREC CAD/CAM, one of the newest dental technologies in the dental field. It is a digital impression and milling machine allowing dental offices to make crowns, bridges, and other appliances in the dental office verses sending all work out to a dental lab. In addition to the demonstration, ATC Dental Assisting students were allowed to practice scanning/designing crowns on typodonts, a model of the oral cavity, including teeth, gingiva, and the palate. This educational presentation and hands-on experience allows the students to be better prepared in the latest technology, which many area dentist currently use. Interested in becoming a dental assistant? Visit albanytech.edu.
SKILLSUSA STATE WINNERS
JASMINE KINCHELOE Photography Gold Winner
LADONNA MILLEDGE Masonry Gold Winner
KEONDRA TURNER Dental Assisting Gold Winner
SARA DELL Welding Sculpture Silver Winner
HANNAH WILSON Dental Assisting Silver Winner
AALIHYA WHITENER Dental Assisting Bronze Winner
THREE ATC STUDENTS RANK NATIONALLY WITH ONE WINNING BRONZE IN THE 2021 SKILLSUSA NATIONAL COMPETITION Congratulations to Keondra Turner, dental assisting student at ATC, who won the Bronze medal in the 2021 SkillsUSA National Competition. Two other ATC students who were recognized in the top nine in their represented programs are LaDonna Milledge (Masonry) and Jasmine Kincheloe (Photography).
SKILLSUSA NATIONAL COMPETITORS
JASMINE KINCHELOE Photography National Competitor
SKILLSUSA NATIONAL BRONZE WINNER
LADONNA MILLEDGE Masonry National Competitor
KEONDRA TURNER Dental Assisting National Competitor
KEONDRA TURNER Dental Assisting National Competitor
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INTERVIEW WITH AN INTERN NICHOLAS LEE POWELL Information Technology Nicholas graduated Spring 2021 after completing an internship with Albany Tech’s IT department before accepting a full-time position with Phoebe Healthcare as a Simulation Operator Specialist. He plans to continue his education while working to complete IT related certifications and eventually attending Georgia Southwestern night classes.
In what ways did you find the internship helpful? The internship allowed me to gain hands-on experience. It was also very useful to be able to practice what I learned in my classes such as trouble shooting, wiring, and basic networking.
How did you decide to major in Cyber Security?
Yes, it was a very positive experience.
DE’ANDRE HARVEY
De’Andre has made history; he is the first Monroe High School dual enrolled student to earn two associate degrees from Albany Technical College. He is also the first student to graduate from Albany Tech’s new E-Commerce Degree Program.
Q&A
Did you like your internship?
FIRST GRADUATE E-Commerce Associate of Applied Science Degree Class of 2021
“The internship and skills learned proved to be very valuable and assisted me greatly in being hired at Phoebe Healthcare.”
In today’s society, everything from cars to our home refrigerators are connected in some way to the internet. This creates vulnerabilities allowing hackers to take advantage. I chose cyber security as my major to learn how to prevent these vulnerabilities and cyberattacks.
ECOMMERCE
A variety of internships are available throughout the year. Contact Career Services at 229.430.0516.
De’Andre completed his first Associate Degree in Marketing Management with an embedded certificate in Entrepreneurship in 2020. He completed a second Associate degree in E-Commerce in April 2021. Earning two associate degrees while in high school is an outstanding accomplishment! De’Andre plans to attend Columbus State University in the fall, where he will major in Marketing Management. Later he plans to pursue his master’s degree and a doctorate in Engineering. De’Andre’s long career goal is to open his own engineering firm.
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NEW HIRES
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PROMOTIONS PETREA ALLEN
Adult Ed Teacher – Lee County Start Date: 4/26/2021
TIFFINEY R. BEAN
Biology Instructor for Nursing Start Date: 5/3/2021
DENNIS OLIVER
CDL Chair/Instructor Start Date: 5/1/2021
COURTNEY JAMES
Admissions Counselor/ Recruiter 7/12/2021
SHOHANA HUQ
ASN Biology Instructor Start Date: 5/4/2021
TRACEY PRINCE
Certified Nursing Assistant Director/Allied Health Sciences Chair Start Date: 7/1/2021
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BRITANNY DEES
Online Student Success Coach 4/12/2021
KENDRA KING
Instructional Design Specialist Start Date: 6/10/2021
Consider your next career in education. We are committed to creating a positive supportive and diverse work environment in which faculty and staff can excel, and hope you will consider joining us as we strive to become a renowned first choice for technical education. albanytech.edu
A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia 1704 South Slappey Boulevard Albany, Georgia 31701
Dougherty County Campus: 229.430.3500 | Randolph County Learning Center: 229.732.5280 albanytech.edu As set forth in its student catalog, Albany Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, veteran status, or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). The following person(s) has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator, Kathy Skates, Vice President of Administrative Services, Albany Technical College, 1704 S. Slappey Blvd., Albany, GA 31701. Phone 229.430.3524 and Section 504 Coordinator, Regina Watts, Special Needs Coordinator, Albany Technical College, 1704 S. Slappey Blvd., Albany, GA 31701, 229.430.2854 or rwatts@albanytech.edu.
