Insights

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 Remembrance 2021

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.

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.” IRISH HAMMOND

Help Desk Coordinator Dec 21, 1982 - Apr 6, 2021

JAMES GRIFFIN JR.

Feb 8, 1934 - Jul 11, 2021

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

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

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

The first group of Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany interns from Albany Technical College each received a Certificate of Appreciation for their service.

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 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.

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.

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 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 Dr. Anthony O. Parker us. President 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.