access FOR THE ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF ALBANY TECHNICAL COLLEGE FALL/WINTER 2017
Albany Tech Forms Campus Police Department A Mark in ATC’s History Book
magazine
ALBANY TECHNICAL COLLEGE SENIOR ADMINISTRATION Anthony O. Parker, Ph.D.
Linda Coston
Vice President of Adult Education
President
Tanjula Petty, Ed.D. Vice President for Academic Affairs
Lorraine Alexander Special Assistant to the President
Kathy Skates
Vice President of Administration
Matt Trice
Wendy Howell
Executive Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Vice President of Center for Business Solutions
Judy Jimmerson
Associate Vice President of Career Services
Kim Lee, Ph.D.
Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Evera Moye
Baker County Representative Dougherty County Representatives:
Joe Austin, Chair Col. Jeffrey Hooks Ben Barrow Betty White Werhner Washington Dr. David Mosely Neil Lowe
Calhoun County Representative
Carl Childs, Jr.
Clay County Representative
Robert Chester
Early County Representative
Winston Oxford
Lee County Representative
Kuanita Murphy
Randolph County Representative
Rhonda Gordon
Terrell County Representative
access FOR THE ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF ALBANY TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Fall/Winter 2017
magazine
PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE 2 A Mark in ATC History
ATC 2016 MEMORIAL DAY 3 Larry Milledge, Keynote ATC/SHERWOOD PARTNERSHIP 4 Open House Held ATC CULINARY VISIT 5 Chef Jerome Brown Visits ATC COVER FEATURE 6 ATC Forms Police Dept ATC RECIPE CONTEST 7 Lara Lyn Carter Visits NEW ATC PROGRAM 8 Industrial Ops Program NEW CYBERSECURITY PROGRAM 9 New Program Launched POLICE CAR DONATION 10 DCSS Donates Retired Car ATC RECOGNITIONS 11 Online/Pharmacy Tech ATC FOUNDATION KICKOFF 12 Wall of Giving/Campaign ATC 2016 VETERAN’S DAY 13 Petty, Keynote ATC 2017 AWARDS 14 GOAL/EAGLE/PERKINS ATC FALL COMMENCEMENT 15/16 Highlights from Fall Grad FACES/EVENTS 17-27 Recent Happenings at ATC ATC FACULTY/STAFF RECOGNITIONS 28 Kerisha Wilson Dietra Windom ATC ALUMNI 29 Alumni Spotlight Alumni News
FOUNDATION TRUSTEES Joe James
C.W. Grant
Cathi Jones
Lem Griffin
Emerson Electrical
Retired
Procter & Gamble
Flint River Services
Suzanna MacIntosh
Alfredia Hampton
Kirt Phillips
Ronnie Hinson
Glenn Singfield
Jim Wilcox
Community Volunteer
Merrill Lynch
AB&T Bank
WALB-Channel 10
Mike Clark
Jeanette McDowell
Dr. Willie Adams Retired
Joey Magaddino SB&T Bank
229 430.3500
RANDOLPH COUNTY LEARNING CENTER: 229 732.5280
ONLINE:
albanytech.edu
#myalbanytech
MetroPower
Artesian Contracting
Interstate Warehousing
DOUGHERTY COUNTY CAMPUS:
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital
Access is a quarterly news magazine published by the Marketing and Public Relations Office at Albany Technical College. Send direct inquiries to Wendy Howell, Executive Director of Marketing & Public Relations, at 229.430.3816 or email whowell@albanytech.edu. A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Albany Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). Inquires should be addressed to the VP of Administration, ATC, 229.430.3524 or email kskates@albanytech.edu.
FEATURES page 3
ATC 2016 MEMORIAL DAY page 4 ABOUT OUR COVER:
ATC FORMS POLICE DEPT ... A MARK IN ATC HISTORY page 6 page 11
ATC/SHERWOOD OUTREACH DAY page 5
ATC RECEIVES MULTIPLE RECOGNITIONS CHEF JEROME BROWN VISITS ATC
page 12
page 7
LARA LYN CARTER VISITS ATC
ATC FOUNDATION KICKS OFF ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN pages 17-27
page 9
Faces/ Events
Contents
ATC LAUNCHES NEW CYBERSECURITY PROGRAM
Faces/Events: Recent Happenings Around ATC
FROM OUR PRESIDENT
DR. ANTHONY O. PARKER
A Mark in ATC History The second half of 2016 proved to be a memorable one for our campus. We celebrated many successes, one of which was the organization of our own Campus Police Department.
We are already off to another successful year in 2017 and hope you will be a part of our continued success.
Sincerely, For many years, we contracted with Albany State University Police Department for campus security and appreciated the relationship, but the time had come for us to form our own department. Dr. Anthony O. Parker President
I am proud of our new Police Department and have no doubt that Chief Hill and his staff will serve ATC right. This is definitely a mark in the history books for Albany Technical College and we could not be more proud. From the forming of our police department to all the amazing things happening on our campus, we think you’ll find this issue will be one you’ll keep around for a while. We hope you enjoy seeing all that ATC is doing and please know that we appreciate your continued support.
from the President
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ARBOR DAY 2014
Albany Tech Held Fourth Annual Memorial Day Ceremony on May 31st Albany Technical College held its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Tuesday, May 31, 2016. Keynote speaker for the ceremony was Larry Milledge, owner of Gladiator Services and U.S. Army Veteran.
Larry Milledge serves as CEO of Gladiator Instructional Services, where he utilizes his vast experience in management and training to extract and maximize the untapped human potential. With over 25 years of law enforcement experience with emphasis in Tactical Operations and Special Operations Training, he is also a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served for six and a half years as a Military Policeman with assignments as an Advanced SWAT Team Leader, Drug Investigator, and Dignitary Protection Specialist with several out-of-country assignments. With a long history of service in active law enforcement, Milledge achieved the Georgia Correctional Officer, Georgia Peace Officer and the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council Instructional Certificates, as well as 14 other Specialized Instructor Certifications. He received a Distinguished Honor Graduate Award, Top-Gun Award (highest firearms score), and was voted Class President. A graduate of Military Police School, Essex Institute of Tactical Training, U.S. Army Air Assault School, Georgia Corrections Academy, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, Altamaha Institute of Tactical Training, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Division of Social Science Department of Law Enforcement, Milledge has impacted lives nationally and internationally through his work as a Manager, Consultant, Mentor, and Life Coach. He promotes his desire for stronger communities through servicing agencies by conducting keynote speeches, workshops and seminars that improve morale, teamwork, and productivity.
veterans and allow our students, faculty, staff, and the community to recognize and honor those who fought for our country.
The ceremony began with a welcome from Albany Tech’s President, Dr. Anthony O. Parker, followed by the presentation of colors by the Albany State University Army ROTC Color Guard, the National Anthem, performed by Frederia Sampson, Humanities Instructor at Albany Tech, and the Pledge of Allegiance, conducted by Dr. Steve Eidson, Dean in the Center for Business Solutions at Albany Tech. After the invocation provided by Ken Bevel, Senior Associate Pastor of Connections and Events at Sherwood Baptist Church, there was a special video presentation of the Story Behind the National Anthem before the keynote speaker. At the end of the program, there was a Flag Folding ceremony given by Major Lawrence DesJardines, Detachment #1260, Marine Corps League. Albany Tech began the tradition in 2013 of holding both a Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day Ceremony on the campus on the Tuesday or Thursday following the Monday holiday to commemorate our
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Albany Technical College and Sherwood Baptist Church Held First Outreach Day Albany Technical College (ATC) and Sherwood Baptist Church (SBC) teamed up to hold an Outreach Day on Saturday, June 25, 2016, at the Sherwood Coca-Cola Plant located at 925 Pine Avenue in Albany. Albany Technical College academic program information were available and faculty members were also on hand to answer any program specific questions. Representatives for Albany Tech’s Move On When Ready (MOWR) dual enrollment program for high school students and for Ability to Benefit, dual enrollment for GED students in select programs, were also available. Through Albany Tech’s Career Cruiser, potential students easily registered for fall semester, which began August 17th. Sherwood Baptist Church’s Coke Plant Ministry was established in 2012 as an outreach location for Sherwood Baptist Church. The purpose of the ministry is to provide local logistics support services to reach the Albany community and facilities 4 | access | Albany Technical College | Fall/Winter 2017
to support for biblical study. Programs included at the Coke Plant include: Men and Women’s Bible Study, Free Flywheel Ministry (auto inspection for senior adults and single mothers), Dreyline Ministry (feeding the homeless), disaster relief storage, regional Operation Christmas Child packing location, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Administrative Office. The collaboration marked the first of what Albany Tech and Sherwood hope to be a lasting partnership in providing outreach and educational services for those in our community.
Albany Technical College Culinary Arts Students Held “Get to Know” Session with Food Network Chef Jerome Brown Albany Technical College’s Culinary Arts students had the opportunity to sit in on a “Get to Know” session with the Food Network’s Chef Jerome Brown on Thursday, June 16, 2016 in the Logistics Education Center at Albany Tech.
Chef Brown was in Albany for a Women of Grace Connection session entitled “Auctions and Avocados” to promote healthy living for men. He began his visit at 12Noon on Thursday at Phoebe Northwest to hold an event entitled “Ties that Bind,” a young men mentoring program teaching young men to tie bow ties and more. During his visit with Albany Tech Culinary students and Albany Tech Culinary Chair, Todd White, Brown shared a few cooking demonstrations and other ideas. Turner Job Corps Culinary students also joined in the visit. After an appearance on Friday on WALB’s midday segment and a VIP Mixer at the Hilton Garden Inn Friday evening, Brown held two shows at the Albany Civic Center at 9am and 7pm. The morning segment was a Phoebe Works Health Screening for Men where Brown spoke to approximately 500 men on the importance of eating healthy. The finale event hosted by Women of Grace Connection “Auctions and Avocados” was the main food demonstration with Brown’s personal DJ.
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Albany Technical College Forms Police Dept A Mark in the ATC History Books
Albany Technical College (ATC) held a Swearing In Ceremony to announce the new Albany Tech Police Department on December 1, 2016, in the Executive Board Room of the Logistics Education Center.
For the past several years, Albany Tech has been utilizing the police department at Albany State University (ASU) for campus security, but decided it was time to create a police department at the college. The new police department will be headed up by Chief Roychard Hill, who previously served at ATC through ASU’s Police Department as the lieutenant. With 14 years of experience in law enforcement, he has excelled in many capacities in his profession by obtaining certifications ranging from Interviews and Interrogations, Investigations, to Campus Violence Prevention Team Training, Chief Executive Training, and all levels of Incident Management System (NIMS) Training. With a diverse history in law enforcement, including Emergency Management, Detention, Criminal Apprehension, Crime Prevention, and Supervision, Hill is also a Certified Investigator, Sexual Assault Response Team Investigator, and a Certified Crisis Intervention Team Officer. He has attended and facilitated numerous active shooter training and exercises, as well as completed the Active Shooter Training Course. Throughout his career, Hill has worked for various law enforcement agencies and departments, including the Cuthbert Police Department, the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office, the Shellman Police Department, and the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. He joined the ASU Police Department in 2007 and received several certificates and commendations, as well as served as a senior command staff member. While at ASU, he served as the 6 | access | Albany Technical College | Fall/Winter 2017
Lieutenant Commander of Patrol of three patrol units/shifts at Albany Tech.
“I believe that the establishment of our department couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Hill. “With all the occurrences of campus shootings and with college campuses being the target of other crimes, it makes a great difference to the community when they are deciding where they want to continue their education. People want to go where they feel safe and having a police department as part of this institution is an awesome milestone.” The new ATC Police Department will also include two officers, Officer Lolita Clyde and Officer Artie Gardner, both of which who previously served at ATC through the agreement with ASU Police Department. Clyde is a four-year veteran on the police force, who previously served as a sergeant with the ASU Police Department. She is a recent graduate of ASU and is currently working toward completing her master’s degree in Criminal Justice in just a few months. She has received training for Crisis Intervention Team Member – CIT, Adult Crises Intervention – ACIT, National Incident Management System Training – NIMS, CPR/First Aid, Radar Certified, Dean’s List Recipient for March of 2015, and has also received letters of accommodation in 2015 and Officer of the Quarter and Employee of the Year for ASU from October to December of 2015. She will serve as Patrolman at ATC. Officer Artie Gardner is a veteran in law
enforcement who has climbed the ladder to chief and back to an officer. Prior to his time at ATC, he worked as the Chief of Police for Smithville for several years and the Chief of Investigations for the Sumter County Sheriff’s Department. He frequently speaks on the topic of safety at law enforcement seminars and also serves as a Councilman for the City of Dawson. Albany Tech’s Campus Safety Coordinator and Chair of the Law Enforcement Technology Program, Kenneth Singleton, says that the formation of the ATC Police Department will give the faculty, staff, students, parents, visitors, and the community as a whole, the confidence to know that ATC is a safe place to work and learn.
“Albany Tech’s new police department will promote the Community Oriented Policing philosophy, which is building the partnership between the police department and the community,” said Singleton. “This new endeavor will also enhance and solidify the work relationship between the local, State, and Federal Criminal Justice agencies, as well as broaden the police efforts in enforcing laws on campus, arrest powers, police presence, and visibility.” With this initiation, Albany Tech becomes the 17th of the 22 technical colleges with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) to have an onsite police department.
Albany Technical College Culinary Arts Held “Recipe Contest” with Lara Lyn Carter
Albany Technical College’s Culinary Arts program hosted a “Recipe Contest” on Tuesday, June 7, 2016, in the Kirkland Conference Center. The event featured Georgia Public Broadcasting personality Lara Lyn Carter.
A native Georgian, Lara Lyn Carter is no stranger to Southern hospitality. Her strong Southern roots and affinity for cooking inspired her to pursue a career that would allow her to share her passion of southern entertaining with others in a way not yet seen on television or on bookshelves. With extensive experience and a wealth of classic Southern recipes with a twist under her belt, Carter went on to create and host Savor the Good Life, a television program dedicated to showcasing the history of Southern entertaining and cuisine. The showing, airing on WALB-News 10 Albany, was a glowing success and was honored with an award from the National Association of Broadcasters. In 2014, Carter published her first cookbook Southern Thymes Shared, a guide to entertaining, complete with themed menus ranging from Easter dinner to football kick-off parties. The book, cowritten with wine expert Doc Lawrence,
also features handpicked wine pairings to complement each menu, ensuring a flawless entertaining experience.
With a larger following and established reputation in Georgia as the go-to authority on Southern entertaining, Carter’s new show Thyme for Sharing with Lara Lyn Carter premiered with the launch of Georgia Public Broadcasting’s summer lineup on June 13, 2015. She also launched a line of her very own sauces, Wicker and Whisk, in June of 2015. Carter has traveled coast to coast over the last year cooking and speaking on Southern cuisine, including the South Beach Wine and Food Festival in February of this year. During the contest, Albany Tech Culinary Arts students competed in creating recipes utilizing Carter’s Wicker and Whisk products. Special judges were on hand from Georgia Grown, Albany Herald, Southwest Georgia Living magazine, and WALB-News 10 Albany.
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ATC Culinary Students were challenged with creating various dishes using Carter’s new Wicker and Whisk sauces. access | Albany Technical College | Fall/Winter 2017 | 7
New Industrial Operations Technician Program Launched at Albany Tech Albany Technical College’s Center for Business Solutions (CBS) and the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) in partnership with the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission (EDC) and the Albany-Dougherty Industry Roundtable, held a signing ceremony on Tuesday, July 12, 2016, at 10am in the Kirkland Conference Center on the Albany Tech campus, to launch a new technical certificate of credit aimed at providing students with the skills necessary to create a more competitive workforce to meet employers’ needs. The new program, Industrial Operations Technician, is the first of its kind of Georgia. Students enrolled in the new program will be exposed to a variety of manufacturing principles, including Lean Six Sigma, operations management, industrial mechanics and interpersonal skills. “We have an opportunity to provide the industry in our community with world class technicians,” said Dr. Anthony O. Parker, Albany Technical College President. “Courses from the Industrial Operations certificate are embedded in associate of applied science degrees in Operations Management, Logistics, and Industrial Systems Technology and provides graduates with an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree at seven of Georgia’s finest universities.” “Albany Technical College, through the Center for Business Solutions, continues 8 | access | Albany Technical College | Fall/Winter 2017
to look for ways to enhance the workforce in our region and the new Industrial Operations Technician program does just that by targeting the specific needs of the manufacturing community in Albany and Dougherty County,” said Matt Trice, Vice President of the Center for Business Solutions at Albany Technical College. “Ongoing dialogue between our technical colleges and local businesses is critical to developing programs that fulfill the needs of both students and industry,” said Matt Arthur, Deputy Commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia. “Programs like this are the reason we have technical colleges in Georgia – to educate students in fields for which they have a passion while enabling them to become a productive member of the state’s workforce.” The certificate of credit was developed in collaboration with members of the Albany-Dougherty Industry Roundtable, a CEO-level forum of major manufacturers and distribution centers in Albany-Dougherty County. The roundtable, an initiative of the Albany-Dougherty EDC, includes Albany Green Energy, Coats & Clark’s craft manufacturing facility, Coats & Clark’s North American Distribution Center, Marine Depot Maintenance Command at Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Procter & Gamble, Mars Chocolate North America, MillerCoors, Pfizer, SASCO Chemical Group and Tara Foods. The new program aligns the needs of Albany-Dougherty County’s industries
with the training opportunities available, thereby further strengthening the local and regional labor force and making it more attractive to prospective and existing industries. “A skilled labor force is critical for employers. This program was developed by our industries to meet our work force needs,” said Werhner Washington, co-chair of the Albany-Dougherty Industry Roundtable and plant manager of Albany’s Procter & Gamble plant. “As industries, we’re appreciative of the partnership with Albany Technical College and the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission in making this program a reality.” “The Albany-Dougherty EDC takes great pride in having strong relationships with our community’s existing industries. We connect industry leaders to each other and to the resources they need to be more competitive,” said Justin Strickland, president of the Albany-Dougherty EDC, which focuses on recruitment and retention of industry for Albany-Dougherty County. In further support, the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission has funded a scholarship through Albany Technical College for the Industrial Operations Technician program. The new program has been approved by the Albany Technical College Board and the Technical College System of Georgia.
Albany Technical College Launches Cybersecurity Program This past fall, Albany Technical College (ATC) launched a degree program for Cybersecurity in the Computer Information Systems division.
The new program is designed to provide students with an understanding of the latest concepts, principles, and techniques required to assess the security needs of computer and network systems, recommend safeguard solutions, and manage the implementation and maintenance of security devices, systems, and procedures. Graduates in the program will be prepared for industry standard certifications, such as the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
“As the world becomes more connected, protecting information from those who intend to steal or exploit it, has become a major concern to every organization on the planet.” - Darren Hagler Computer Information Systems Instructor Albany Technical College
“As the world becomes more connected, protecting information from those who intend to steal or exploit it, has become a major concern to every organization on the planet,” said Darren Hagler, Computer Information Systems instructor and lead instructor for the new program at Albany Tech. “Cybersecurity professionals are one of the top twenty in-demand careers of 2016 and there is no sign of relief. The U.S. government, as well as private industry, are all scrambling to shore up their Cybersecurity divisions and new job postings number in the tens of thousands.” With the addition of this program, Albany Tech now has the most comprehensive Information Technology program in Southwest Georgia. access | Albany Technical College | Fall/Winter 2017 | 9
DCSS Retired Police Car Donated to Albany Technical College Albany Technical College (ATC) held a ceremony for the dedication of a retired police vehicle on August 23, 2016, at 10am, on the grounds beside the Charles B. Gillespie Center for Emergency Responders Center. Formerly owned by the Dougherty County School System Police Department, the donated car will now serve as a lab for ATC’s Law Enforcement students. “This vehicle will benefit our students by allowing us to utilize practical exercises outside of the classroom,” said Rashad Flournoy, Law Enforcement Technology program instructor for Albany Tech. “These skills would include vehicle pullovers and the basics of operating a police car.” Off campus, Flournoy said the vehicle will also be used to promote the program at recruiting functions. A full graphic wrap covering the car showcases the many training opportunities ATC’s Law Enforcement program has to offer, including a state-of-the-art fingerprinting center and courtroom classroom. The corrections, security, investigative, and police administration fields are all career options for program graduates. Students can obtain a Law Enforcement Technology diploma or associate degree 10 | access | Albany Technical College | Fall/Winter 2017
from Albany Technical College. Without losing credits, students may also pursue a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice by transferring to Albany State University, Valdosta State University, or Mercer University.
“This vehicle will benefit our students by allowing us to utilize practical exercises outside of the classroom.” -- Rashad Flournoy, ATC Law Enforcement Program
analysis was conducted by OnlineColleges.com, a website that provides information about top online colleges and degree programs. Albany Technical College earned its high ranking partly due to the number of distance programs it offers, which ranked fifth among the schools ranked in Georgia. Students at Albany Technical College can choose from 29 distance education programs, which include associate degrees and diplomas in program fields such as accounting, business management and law enforcement, just to name a few. Additionally, the college offers 12 fully online certificate programs in subjects such as criminal justice, business and management. Additionally, Albany Technical College ranked seventh in the state for its distance education participation rate. The college received a perfect score for flexibility, which is great news for working students hoping to earn their degree online. Some of the factors included in the flexibility score include academic/career counseling services, electronic library resources and more. One additional recognition Albany Tech received was recognition of the college’s Pharmacy Technology program. Albany Technical College’s two-year pharmacy technician degree program was recognized as one of the best in the nation by the Community for Accredited Online Schools (CFAOS). As a leading resource for higher education and college accreditation information, the site released its annual ranking for the 2016-2017 school year, honoring Albany Tech as the #43 Best Two-Year Pharmacy Technician Program in the Nation. “We want to highlight schools like Albany Technical College, who are striving for excellence in online education,” said Doug Jones, CEO and Founder of the Community for Accredited Online Schools. “These colleges offer an exceptional educational experience, upholding rigorous accreditation standards and showing an overall commitment to maximizing student success.”
ATC Receives Multiple Recognitions Albany Technical College (ATC) recently ranked in the top half of the nation’s best community colleges, according to a study by WalletHub. Out of the 12 Georgia colleges considered, ATC is the only college in Georgia south of Macon to make the top 400. ATC placed seventh out of the 12 Georgia colleges represented, and 337 out of 821, nationally. As a state, Georgia was named the eleventh best state in community college education.
In order for universities to qualify for this ranking, they must hold public or private not-for-profit status and carry institutional accreditation. Top schools are determined by using a value-based methodology that analyzes more than a dozen qualitative and quantitative data points. “Our department is humbled and excited for the recognition we have received,” said Dr. JaNee Mobley, Chair of the Pharmacy Technology program at Albany Tech. “To be amongst the Top 50 Pharmacy Technology programs is rewarding. We take pride in supporting our students to not only graduate from our program, but also in becoming Certified Pharmacy Technicians.”
The study analyzed 821 schools from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), and each school was given a score out of a possible 100 points. ATC received a score of 47.34. These points are based on twelve different metrics falling under the three following categories: cost and financing, educational outcomes, and career outcomes. Some factors included tuition, retention, student-loan default rate, and student-faculty ratio. ATC has emerged a community college leader in South Georgia. Although the Wall Street Journal named Albany the sixth poorest city in America in 2013, ATC is paving the way for higher education in the region and bringing success to its low-income community. Albany Technical College (ATC) also recently ranked number five out of 82 schools in Georgia that offer online classes or degree programs for a 2016 study. Additionally, on a national scale, ATC ranks number 48 out of 2,868 schools in the study. The access | Albany Technical College | Fall/Winter 2017 | 11
Changing Lives Paving the Way to a Powerful Future
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Changing Lives
Albany Technical College and the Albany Tech Foundation Held “Wall of Giving” Dedication Ceremony and Annual Giving Campaign Kickoff Albany Technical College and the Albany Tech Foundation, Inc. held a dedication ceremony for the “Wall of Giving” on October 26, 2016, on the grounds north of the Nathaniel Cross Healthcare Technology Center.
The “Wall of Giving” was constructed by the Albany Tech Masonry program and honors the donors who gave in the college’s previous annual giving campaigns, which originally kicked off in 1999. Levels include “Legacy,” which includes a list of donors at one million and up; “President” – donors of $100,000 to $999,999; “Trustee – donors of $10,000 to $99,999; and “Titan” – donors of $1,000 to $9,999.
Paving the Way to a Powerful Future
The event marked the official kickoff of a new annual giving campaign entitled “Changing Lives: Paving the Way to a Powerful Future.” A kickoff luncheon was held immediately following the wall dedication where donors were invited to hear success stories and to consider continua12 | access | Albany Technical College | Fall/Winter 2017
tion of annual giving.
The Albany Tech Foundation, Inc. was established in 1987 to support the College, its programs and activities. Thanks to the generosity of Albany Tech’s supporters working with the Foundation, the College has received outright or has purchased the equipment necessary for instructional programs, has awarded tools of
the trade to deserving graduates and has purchased equipment through matching grant opportunities. The Albany Tech Foundation, Inc. hosts various fundraisers each year, including a “Roast” each spring. The funds raised through these events go towards scholarships and other foundation and college programs and activities.
Albany Tech’s 2016 Veteran’s Day Program
Albany Technical College held their annual Veteran’s Day Program on November 9, 2016, in the Kirkland Conference Center. Keynote speaker was Col. William Petty, Retired, United States Army. Colonel (retired) William Petty is a U.S. Army Military veteran and he serves as an advocate to volunteer services for other veterans across the country. Col. Petty entered the US ARMY as a Private, and earner promotions advancing through the enlisted ranks to the grade of Staff Sergeant (E6). He enrolled in the Office Candidate School in graduating as a Second Lieutenant, Transportation Officer. He served in command and staff position in the United States, Germany in the 2nd Support Command, Seven CORPS, 167th Theater Command, and Joint Forces Command. Colonel Petty retired in 2003 with over 29 years of service in the military, 20 years of successful leadership experience, and over 15 years of senior management experience in the Human Resource/Personnel Field with a global perspective; an agent for change and problem-solving, who has redesigned small and large organizations having multiple objectives to include providing quality customer service, leading groups to working as effective teams, achieved major efficiencies. In August 2015, he retired from Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System as the Assistant Chief Community Affairs/ Chief of Voluntary Service. Colonel Petty has served on the Eufaula City School Board of Education, several Montgomery County School’s PTA presidents, Board of Director for the Boys and Girls Club of South Central Alabama, as well as a Youth Leader at Antioch Baptist Church, Mt Meigs, AL. He received his bachelor and master’s degrees in Human Resource Management. After a welcome from ATC President, Dr. Anthony Parker, and an invocation, Monroe Comprehensive High School ROTC conducted the Presentation of Colors, followed by the National Anthem, performed by Todd Stone, and special patriotic songs performed by the Lake Park Elementary Show Chorus, led by Mr. Anthony Clements. Dan Gillan, United States Marine Corps Veteran, provided a performance on the bagpipes. This marked Albany Tech’s fourth year holding an annual Veteran’s Day for faculty, staff, students, and the Albany community. The college also holds an annual Memorial Day Ceremony each May. The purpose of the programs are to educate ATC students on what the day commemorates. access | Albany Technical College | Fall/Winter 2017 | 13
Albany Tech Held Awards Banquet for Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), Rick Perkins, and EAGLE Nominees Perkins and EAGLE Winners Revealed and GOAL Finalists Named Albany Technical College held the annual awards banquet for nominees selected for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), Rick Perkins Award (Instructor of the Year), and the Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) for the upcoming calendar year on November 29, 2016, in the Kirkland Conference Center. The five nominees for GOAL included: Lise Adams-Mason (Environmental Horticulture); Travis Apperson (Electronics and Engineering Technology); Jamekia Collins (Law Enforcement Technology); Nil Patel (Electronics and Engineering Technology); and Tonyari Scott (Electronics and Engineering Technology). The three GOAL finalists named were Lise Adams-Mason, Jamekia Collins, and Tonyari Scott. These three will be interviewed in January by an Albany Area Chamber of Commerce panel and one will be selected to compete at the State GOAL competition to be held in April in Atlanta. 14
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The state winner is the official spokesperson for technical education in Georgia for 2017. The Albany Tech winner also had an opportunity to compete at the Regional Competition for GOAL, which was held for the Southwest Georgia consortium on February 21st at Southern Regional Tech’s Tifton campus. The Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year nominees included: Elliott Bonds (Automotive Collision Repair); Nicole Lane (Business Technology); Noreen McGee (Engineering Preparatory Academy); Lynn Miller (Law Enforcement Technology); and Todd White (Culinary Arts). This year’s winner was Lynn Miller, Law Enforcement Technology instructor. She will move on to compete at the state competition in Atlanta in April. The Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) nominees included: Rebecca Bozeman (Calhoun County); Lotoya Jordan (Lee County); and Elouise
Williams (Dougherty County). Elouise Williams was named this year’s EAGLE winner. She will move on to compete at the state competition in Atlanta in March.
GOAL Finalists: Jamekia Collins, Tonyari Scott, and Lise Adams-Mason Perkins Winner: Lynn Miller EAGLE Winner: Elouise Williams
Fall Commencement 2016
Albany Technical College Fall 2016 Commencement Keynote Speaker: Dr. Angela Hines-Brown, Early Childhood Care & Education Instructor, West Georgia Technical College and 2016 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year for the Technical College System of Georgia
Albany Technical College held Fall 2016 Commencement Exercises on December 8, 2016, at the Albany Civic Center. Nearly 220 students received associate degrees, almost 500 diplomas, and 1,150 technical certificates of credit. Over 100 students received their General Education Development (GED). In addition, nearly 90 students walked with various honors, including American Criminal Justice Association Club, Ambassadors, Engineering Club (E-Club), Honors with Distinction, National Technical Honors Society (NTHS), Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), Presidential Scholar, SkillsUSA, Student Fellowship for Christians (SFC), Student Government Association (SGA), and General Education Development (GED). These students were honored at the college’s Honor’s Day program held the week of graduation. Keynote speaker for the ceremony was Dr. Angela Hines-Brown, Early Childhood Care and Education instructor for West Georgia Technical College and the 2016 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year for the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). Through hard work, Brown has risen from humble beginnings to become the first person in her family to 16 | access | Albany Technical College | Fall/Winter 2017
earn a Ph.D. She is a firm believer that where you come from does not dictate where you are going in life. “It is up to each individual to decide his or her own fate,” said Brown. “We all have the power to achieve our dreams if we believe in ourselves, develop a plan, keep the faith, and work diligently to accomplish our goals.” Brown graduated as the valedictorian of Greenville High School. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of West Georgia and a Ph.D. from Capella University. She has spent over a decade as an elementary school teacher and instructional coach and was selected as the Teacher of the Year at Ruth Hill Elementary twice during her tenure as an educator. In 2009, she was honored as the Coweta County School System Teacher of the Year. In 2010, Brown transitioned from service as a public school educator into the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). Her passion for education and skill as an instructor became an inspiration to her students, peers, and administration. Just this year, she won the Rick Perkins Award of Excellence in Technical Instruction for West Georgia College and in April, was
named the 2016 TCSG Instructor of the Year. Among the graduates for Thursday’s commencement was Benjamin Johnson, who will be graduating with his GED and is also enrolled in Albany Tech’s Diesel Equipment Technology diploma program. The 48-year-old Americus native quit high school in the tenth grade to go to work and help his family. He worked for Textron Automotive (formerly Davidson Exterior Trim) in Americus for 19 years as a Rack Fabrication Technician until the plant closed in 2007. Finding himself unemployed, he worked odd jobs until getting a contract job at the Marine Depot Maintenance Command (MDMC) in Albany in 2009. Johnson was encouraged by the base to complete his GED and to get certified as a Diesel Technician. Through Albany Tech’s “Ability to Benefit” (ATB) program, this was a win-win for him. He was able to take classes toward his GED and enroll in the Diesel Equipment Technology diploma program simultaneously. On Thursday, he will receive his GED and in the spring of 2017, will graduate with his diploma in Diesel. His ultimate goal is to one day own his own shop.
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Albany Technical College’s Special Needs department hosted a one-day Transition Summit for middle and high school students with disabilities on May 10, 2016, in the Kirkland Conference Center. The closing session featured motivational speaker Larry Milledge, owner of Gladiator Instructional Services. Workshops were open to parents, teachers, and other professionals who are at the forefront of assuring success for individuals with disabilities, as well as a wide range of information on transitioning to postsecondary education or employment.
Albany Technical College President, Dr. Anthony O. Parker, delivered his annual State of the College address on September 21, 2016, in the Kirkland Conference Center. Dr. Parker focused on Albany Technical College’s strength in enrollment and compare how we measure up within the seven-county Service Delivery Area (SDA), as well as peers within the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). Information was also available on how the college currently stands with job placement, graduation, enrollment, and Governor Deal’s Complete College Georgia goals.
Albany Technical College hosted their annual Open House event June 4, 2016, in the Kirkland Conference Center. For those ready to apply, register, and test, representatives were available. This is an annual event held at ATC every June since the late 1990s where potential students can come and preview more than 90 academic programs available at the campus, including nursing, surgical technology, civil engineering technology and many others. Some of the programs featured also held live demonstrations. access | Albany Technical College | Fall/Winter 2017 | 17
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C&P Summer 2016 was held on July 20, 2016. Candidates for capping and pinning included Pharmacy Technology, Nursing, and Paramedicine Technology. 18 | access | Albany Technical College | Fall/Winter 2017
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Fall Capping and Pinning was held on November 30, 2016. Students were capped and pinned from Healthcare Technology programs including Surgical Technology, Nursing, Pharmacy Technology, Paramedic Technology, Health Information Technology. Medical Assisting, and Dental Assisting.
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Nearly 50 southwest Georgia employers participated in the Eighteenth Annual Fall Career Fair at Albany Technical College on October 20, 2016, at the Kirkland Conference Center. The Career Fair is a great opportunity for Albany Tech students to speak with employers and learn about various companies and career opportunities.
Albany Technical College’s Medical Assisting program celebrated National Medical Assisting Week by holding an Open House on October 19, 2016, in the Medical Assisting labs located in the Nathaniel Cross Healthcare Technology Building.
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Albany Technical College’s Special Needs program kicked off the Leveraging Education for Advancement Program (LEAP) on October 11, 2016, in the Kirkland Conference Center. The new program has been provided through a $2.5 million federal grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education through the School of Public Health at Georgia State University. A five-year grant for students with disabilities, the goal is to develop programs that will allow more students to be included in college life and to meet their potential in becoming productive citizens.
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Albany Technical College’s Surgical Technology program celebrated National Surgical Technology Week by holding an Open House on September 19, 2016, in the Surgical Technology labs located in the Nathaniel Cross Healthcare Technology Building. They also demonstrated their new LapSim laparoscopic lab equipment.
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Albany Technical College’s Radiologic Technology program celebrated National Radiologic Technology Week by holding an Open House on November 10, 2016, in the Radiologic Technology lab located in the Nathaniel Cross Healthcare Technology Building, with a tour of the newly energized lab, which opened in the fall of 2015.
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Albany Technical College held the annual Fall National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) Induction Ceremony on October 18, 2016, in the Kirkland Conference Center. Sixteen Albany Tech students were inducted. Keynote speaker was Rev. Raymond Andrews, Founder and Pastor of Raines Baptist Church of Dawson, Georgia.
On October 4, 2016, Albany Technical College’s Special Populations and Retention department held a Motivating, Educating, and Networking for Life (M.E.N.) Workshop in the college’s Logistics Education Center Auditorium. Designed to benefit African American males, the guest speaker for the workshop was Marvin Laster of the Boys and Girls Club of Albany, along with four break-out individual workshops.
Albany Technical College’s Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) pinned potential graduates in the second class since the program’s inception in 2014 on November 30, 2016, in the Kirkland Conference Center. Ten students will be pinned during the evening ceremony. Keynote speaker was Schvon Bussey, former chair of the program, and currently Interim Director of the ASN Program at Atlanta Technical College. access | Albany Technical College | Fall/Winter 2017 | 21
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The Albany Tech Foundation has received a one-time educational scholarship of $50,000 from Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC. Andrea Grover, Director of Stakeholder Outreach with Sabal Trail, presented Albany Technical College President, Dr. Anthony Parker, and the Albany Tech Foundation with the check on November 3, 2016. The purpose of the project (or scholarship program) is to strengthen student portfolios by providing paid internship opportunities at science, technology, engineering, and mathematics based industries.
Albany Technical College’s Center for Business Solutions Continuing Education department held a three-day “Tech Camp” on December 19-21, 2016. The camp was geared toward elementary and middle schoolers ages 10 to 14, who are interested in science and technology fields. Students had the opportunity to explore careers in robotics, website design, drafting, and photography.
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Albany Technical College’s Special Populations Program held a Community “Sip and Chat” event on November 14, 2016, in the Kirkland Conference Center. The purpose of the event was to provide a forum to showcase program highlights, student success stories, community relations, and connections for the Albany Tech Student Affairs programs within the community.
Albany Tech’s Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) students participated in the Fall Georgia Leadership Conference in Stone Mountain in October of 2016. They won first place on the Display Board and fifth place on the Membership Video. Pictured (left to right) are ATC winners Rosa Wilson, Jacqueline Bryant, and Nickicia Fambro.
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ATC students from the Medical Surgical and Maternal Child Nursing class traveled to Atlanta in November to volunteer with Hope Dealers. They participated with the turkey drive and Thanksgiving dinner.
The Early Childhood Care and Education program held a Pinning program to honor fall graduates on December 7, 2016 in the Childcare Development Demonstration Center.
Air-Evac a Life flight helicopter was on the ATC campus October 26, 2016 to present to the ATC Paramedic students. This was a learning exercise for the students where the flight crew teaches the students how to set up a safe landing zone.
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Albany Technical College Faculty and Staff honored Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October by having a “Pink Out� Day on October 27, 2016, with a group photo on campus.
Welcome Back Week 2016 was held the week of August 22, 2016 to help Fall students kick off the Fall Semester.
Five Albany Tech faculty and staff members were honored during a Retirement Celebration on July 21, 2016. Linda Cauley (Dental Assisting), retired after 33 years of service; Margaret Colquitt (Facilities), retired after 16 years of service; Leigh Davis (General Core), retired after 23 years of service; Debra Jones (General Core), retired after 18 years of service; and Priscilla Ryals (Dental Assisting), retired after 36 years of service to the college.
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Constitution Day was held Sept. 15, 2016 and ATC students were treated with a cake and video about the importance of the day.
A Retirement Celebration was held on December 7, 2016 for Mattie Buchannon, Dean of the Healthcare Technology program at Albany Tech, who has been with ATC for 25 years.
The Environmental Horticulture program at Albany Tech hosted an FFA Competition on November 30, 2016. Students from all over the region, including some from as far as Waycross, came to compete.
Pest Manager Training was held at ATC on November 17, 2016. ATC’s George Paul, Chair of the Environmental Horticulture program, presented during the day’s training session.
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Homecoming
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Kerisha Wilson Named to “40 Under 40” List Albany Technical College Retention Coordinator, Kerisha Wilson, was named as a recipient of the Albany Herald’s “40 Under 40” list for July 2016. She has been employed by Albany Tech since June of 2015. A native of Talladega County, Alabama, Wilson is a graduate of the Talladega County School System and received her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a minor in Sociology from Alabama A&M University. She also holds a master’s degree in higher and post-secondary education from Argosy University, Atlanta. Wilson has worked in higher education for most of her career, holding various Student Affairs positions, including Financial Aid Technician, Admissions Representative, Retention and Recruitment Specialist, Events Coordinator, Judiciary Official, and Cheer Coach. She has
also taught Adult Education classes and has been employed in Administration and Finance. Most recently, she pioneered S.W.E.E.T.S. (Sisters Working, Encouraging, and Educating Each Other for Success), an organization aimed at assisting young women in college. “It is an honor and privilege to be selected as a 2016 Southwest Georgia 40 Under 40 recipient,” said Wilson. “I am humbled and forever grateful to have the opportunity to serve in the workplace and in the community and look forward to continuing to serve the needs of Southwest Georgia.” The daughter of Melvin and Conthia Wilson, she has three siblings and five nephews. In her spare time, she enjoys family, mentoring, traveling, drag racing, and sports.
Dietra Windom - 2016 Employee of the Year Dietra Windom has been employed at Albany Tech for 12 years as the Administrative Assistant in the Healthcare Technology division. However, she started her journey with Albany Tech long before then when she attended the college in pursuit of her associate’s degree in Administrative Office Technology with a specialization as a Marketing Administration Specialist, which she obtained in October of 2006.
During a recent end of the year faculty and staff luncheon, Albany Technical College named its Employee of the Year for 2016. Dietra Windom, Administrative Assistant in the Healthcare Technology division at Albany Tech, is this year’s recipient.
One of Windom’s children received their GED® from Albany Tech and all of her other children went on to earn diplomas and associate degrees at Albany Tech. Her grandchildren have also attended the Childcare Development Demonstration Center, which is part of Albany Tech’s Early Childhood Care and Education program. “I think Albany Tech is a great place to work and to begin a career,” said Windom.
gone on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Workforce Development from Valdosta State University and is just one class away from earning her master’s degree in Business Administration from Albany State University. “I love helping the students, if it is only just listening or sending them to the right person,” said Windom. “I feel blessed to have been chosen as the 2016 Employee of the Year.” Windom was nominated for Employee of the Year by her supervisor, Mattie Buchannon, Dean of the Healthcare Technology division at Albany Tech, who cited her as dependable and hardworking and one of the leaders of the “admin pack.” “Ms. Windom is a loyal Titan,” said Buchannon. “She volunteers to help with most of the offhour programs on campus and is a calming force for the sometimes irate students that present to my office.”
Continuing her own education, Windom has
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ATC ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Rolanda Bailey
Graduate, Business Logistics Management Program “Every Marine that receives orders to Albany, Georgia, should be aware of the degree programs that Albany Tech offers and that their credits will be widely accepted to the majority of colleges in the United States.” - Rolanda Bailey Rolanda Bailey learned about Albany Tech’s Business Logistics Management program in 2007 when she checked into the Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany. With her oldest son becoming a senior, she had put off attending college for herself and wanted to stress to him the importance of an education. With Bailey’s military occupational specialty (MOS) in Supply Administration, she knew that the Supply Chain Management classes embedded into the Business Logistics degree program would be a perfect fit in the field she had worked in for 20 years prior. She received a basic overview of the program from the program’s chair, Dr. Steve Eidson, and found that the program had everything she needed to enhance her performance at the
Distribution Management Retrograde Section aboard the base. With classes in customer service, management, supply chain, and logistics, it was the ideal combination. “I received an associate’s degree in General Studies and around the same time, received permanent change of station order to Quantico, Virginia, to be the Supply Administration assignment monitor,” said Bailey. “I think I received this assignment based on the certificate I received in Customer Service.” Bailey said that Dr. Eidson continued to encourage her, but her worst fear was that some colleges don’t accept credits from other colleges. She knew this meant that it might take her longer to receive her degree. She went on to the Education Center aboard the Marine
Corps Base Quantico and gravitated towards a college brochure for Excelsior University, Albany, New York, and said that they accepted all of her Albany Tech credits, which allowed her to complete her bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies and Business Management. “Every Marine that receives orders to Albany, Georgia, should be aware of the degree programs that Albany Tech offers and that their credits will be widely accepted to the majority of colleges in the United States,” said Bailey. After 30 years of faithful service to the U.S. Marine Corps, and giving thanks to Albany Tech and Dr. Eidson, Bailey says she will move on to pursue her master’s degree.
ALUMNI NEWS Jim Shaw 2003, Industrial Systems Recently, Jim completed all of his classes and requirements for a master’s degree in Emergency Services Management and marched on October 28th. Jim will be inducted into the Order of the Sword and Shield Honor Society for those in the Emergency Management, Homeland Security, and Military studies. He will also be inducted into the Society for Leadership and Success. He finished the program with a 4.0 GPA and 97 overall program numerical average. Jim also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS).
Rosalie Clements 2012, Law Enforcement When Rosalie completed her associate’s degree, she transferred to Mercer University to successfully complete her bachelor’s degree within four semesters thanks to ATC’s Pathway agreement with Mercer. She graduated with a 3.72 GPA and made
Dean’s List the last three semesters. Rosalie is now in the process of obtaining her master’s degree at Mercer University. If all goes well, she will obtain this degree in October, 2017.
Congratulations!
ARE YOU AN ATC ALUMNI? WE WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU ARE DOING IN YOUR CAREER! Email your story to Wendy Howell at whowell@albanytech.edu
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1704 South Slappey Boulevard Albany, Georgia 31701
Dougherty County Campus: 229.430.3500 | Randolph County Learning Center: 229.732.5280 www.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.