2022-23 Highlander Magazine

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Georgia Highlands College is a multi-campus, state college of the University System of Georgia. Founded in 1970 as Floyd Junior College, it now serves thousands of students in Northwest Georgia across multiple locations. GHC currently offers an associate degree in over 40 areas of study, as well as eight bachelor’s degrees. Over 17 areas of study are offered fully online.

Editor and Designer

Sheila Jones

Senior Director of Marketing and Communications

Photographer

Jeff Brown Director of Digital Media Services

Writers

Nick Godfrey External Affairs

Mark Andrews Communications Coordinator

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Mike Hobbs, Ph.D. President

Sarah Coakley, Ph.D. Provost and Chief Academic Officer

Jamie Petty Vice President for Finance and Administration

Sarah Bradfield Advancement

Dana Itkow Human Resources

Leslie Johnson Campus Dean - Cartersville site

Rob Laltrello Information Technology

Ken Reaves Campus Dean - Marietta site

Jimmy Story Financial Aid, Recruitment, and Marketing

Celebrating Our Graduates

Making lifelong friends and gaining real-world experience

Jonathan Kavuma is graduating from GHC this spring with an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) – but he isn’t stopping there. He has big plans to continue his education in nursing at GHC.

Kavuma entered into the ASN program through the High School Graduate option, allowing him to begin the ASN program about two weeks after earning his high school diploma.

While he was able to get a jump start on earning his degree, doing so came with its fair share of hard work.

“In order for us to graduate on time we essentially had to take all of the nursing prerequisite classes on top of the nursing classes and that was no easy feat,” Kavuma said, adding sometimes he would take up to five “core” prerequisite classes in addition to taking nursing classes and meeting the other requirements of the program.

“This was indeed stressful, but overall, it made us stronger in the end, and showed us how to be good stewards of time management.”

While the workload was sometimes heavy as Kavuma earned his first nursing degree, he looked back on an early memory to remind himself why he was applying the effort.

“When I was 6 years old, my dad had a stroke and it was very traumatic to say the least,” Kavuma said. “I saw all of the nurses, doctors, and therapists take extremely good care of my dad, and I was just in awe of their job. I knew from that point on that I was sold on a career in healthcare.”

He also didn’t have to look far to see current examples of how fulfilling a career in healthcare can be.

“I have a slew of healthcare professionals on my mom and dad’s sides of the family,” Kavuma said. “For example, my mom and my aunt are nurse practitioners,

their older sister is a doctor, their younger brother is a registered nurse (RN), their mom was also a registered nurse, and I also have many more examples in my family.”

Kavuma’s next goal is to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from GHC in May 2024, and then go on to complete a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) with a focus in Family Nurse Practitioner or Emergency Nurse Practitioner in May 2027.

“As an RN, I would like to work in both the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit,” Kavuma said.

As a student, Kavuma said GHC provided him with experiences he would not have been awarded if he attended college elsewhere, such as graduating with the ability to become an RN two years earlier than those who do not enroll through the High School Graduate option, making lifelong friends, and gaining real-world experiences at GHC.

“All of the professors that I have had have been more than willing to help me understand the material when I am confused, have been very personable and able to relate to my struggles, and more than enthusiastic about the material that they are teaching,” Kavuma said. “I have enjoyed GHC outside of the classroom because it introduced me to several healthcare facilities, and I ended up receiving jobs as an ER tech due to these encounters.”

BE HERE. BE YOU. Celebrating Our Graduates

Healthcare Management grad plans to continue on to Brenau University

Tiffany Blalock, a spring 2023 graduate of GHC, is headed to Brenau University this summer to continue her education.

Graduating from GHC with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Healthcare Management, she plans to earn a master’s in the same field.

Blalock decided to pursue degrees in healthcare because she has always strived to help others. Going to GHC helped her get a sneak peek at two potential types of futures in healthcare.

“When I started GHC, I thought I wanted to be a nurse, but after taking a CNA course I realized nursing was not my path,” she said. “After several thoughts, I felt as though healthcare management was the best route for me considering I have had management experience specifically in healthcare.”

She said one of the more interesting elements of studying healthcare management was learning how the myriad of different management styles can be applied to the industry. By earning her bachelor’s and then her master’s, Blalock’s career opportunities will continue to grow.

“I currently work in healthcare, but not specifically in management,” Blalock said. “I am hoping upon graduation to find a career in healthcare management to grow while obtaining my master’s degree.”

Her advice for anyone considering to take the next step in their education is to never stop in the face of adversity.

“Keep going no matter how hard it gets,” Blalock said. “There were so many times where I felt defeated and could not presevere. I kept going and was able to accomplish my goals.”

For example, Blalock says her greatest accomplishment at GHC was raising her GPA to a 4.0 to be on the President’s List.

“I have maintained at least a 3.5 GPA and have always been on the Dean’s List,” Blalock said. “However, my goal was to reach a 4.0, and I was able to do so while taking 12-plus credit hours and working.”

Blalock said while she is excited to take on new challenges at Brenau, she will miss her classmates and instructors who made her time at GHC a positive experience.

“I have personally loved attending GHC,” Blalock said. “I have met so many great professors and advisors that have truly shaped me into the individual that I am and will continue to be in my career.”

Mom of four returns to college for Graphic Design degree

For spring 2023 graduate Carrie Kindt, the idea of returning to college after 20 years to pursue a degree in Graphic Design at GHC was intimidating. However, she overcame that fear and says she made a great decision.

Enrolling in the Graphic Design pathway has helped the mother of four not only expand her career prospects but has also impacted other aspects of her life.

“I feel like it’s broadened my horizons, helped me feel more well-rounded, and made me excited to learn anything and everything possible,” she said. “Nearly every day I would come home and talk to my kids around the

dinner

table about the new things I’d learned.”

Kindt initially began her college career majoring in architectural drafting, so the Graphic Design pathway at GHC was a natural transition and an opportunity to utilize her talents.

“Throughout my time as a mom, I was heavily into many crafts, woodworking, painting, gardening, and interior design, so I knew I wanted a career where I could implement some level of creativity,” she said.

Kindt said her experience in the classroom as a returning student has been positive, and that her worries over taking classes with recent high school graduates went away quickly.

“With all the applied life experiences I’d obtained, learning new things was fun and much easier to manage than the first time around,” Kindt said.

Going back to college also allowed her to create new memories, like spending evenings completing homework alongside her teenage children.

Submitted photo

Submitted photo

YOU. BELONG.

Floyd County police captain graduates with bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice

Captain Chad Johnson with the Floyd County Police Department is growing his knowledge and career potential by graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from GHC.

As a patrol supervisor and the current Floyd County SWAT Commander, Johnson ensures patrol officers have the tools necessary to complete their daily tasks while also developing the tactical planning of operations that go into safeguarding the community.

While Johnson has gained extensive real-world experience and engages in ongoing police training, a degree in Criminal Justice will take his skillset to the next level.

“I chose to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice in order to expand my knowledge and understanding in a field that would benefit my career path,” Johnson said. “With having some experience regarding criminal justice, I expected that the classes required for this field would be interesting and hold my interest throughout the program.”

For example, Johnson said the program has helped to broaden his awareness in the many aspects that make up the criminal justice system.

“By understanding all of the pieces that make the system, it has helped me to create a clearer purpose of my role in the system and the overall goal of the combined complex system that serves our communities,” Johnson said. “This degree has presented me with future opportunities within my department, such as being eligible to apply for the Master of Criminal Justice at Command College.”

In addition, Johnson said he enjoyed the college’s class offerings in addition to Criminal Justice.

“I found the projects assigned in astronomy to be

“I think it benefited all of us to be on the same page complaining about homework but still pushing through, and for them to see their mom pursuing her degree,” Kindt said.

Kindt is excited about her future prospects upon graduation.

“It’s difficult to find work in art, but careers can be found within graphic design,” Kindt said. “I have several friends who have made successful careers out of it and was always a bit envious. They’ve put in much more time, but I hope to get there someday.”

Her advice for single parents considering attending GHC? “Do it!”

very interesting and engaging,” Johnson said. “These projects required students to visit museums and participate in stargazing throughout the semester.”

He recommends the Criminal Justice program to anyone seeking to expand their current knowledge of the field and said a key component aiding his success in the program was the guidance of GHC faculty and staff.

“I think anyone wanting to or is currently pursuing a Criminal Justice degree with GHC should know that the faculty and staff assigned to this program exceed in ensuring that each student has all the tools and resources necessary to accomplish their degree,” Johnson said.

Johnson also said while earning his degree in Criminal Justice required hard work and commitment, the flexibility of the program did not interfere with his work and personal life.

“I would like to reassure those that may be on the fence that even if your schedule is full with work and family, you can still successfully complete this program and enjoy your life,” he said. “The staff are more than willing to help you set your schedule and recommend a class load that is suitable for you.”

“I was 38 and knew there was too much life left to just give up and work at an entry-level full-time job. The time will pass either way,” Kindt said. “I could either be 40 or 42 with a degree and pursuing a career I actually enjoy that could lead to bigger and better positions and money throughout the next few decades, or I could be 40 or 42 working a register.”

In addition, Kindt said, the financial cost of attending GHC was made easier by applying for financial aid.

“As a returning adult, I was pleasantly surprised that I was awarded Pell Grants that covered tuition,” Kindt said. “So, while I’m foregoing income during this time, at least I’m not taking on additional debt”

KINDT– continued from page 4

Celebrating Our Graduates

Film program graduate named Academic Recognition Day Representative

Katie Weatherford, who is graduating from the film program at GHC this May, was selected as a Board of Regents Academic Recognition Day Representative for 2023.

Created through the University System of Georgia (USG) 35 years ago, every year, each of the system’s institutions selects a student with a 4.0 GPA who also reflects the system’s best qualities: “They aim to strive for excellence and have the ability to share knowledge in various areas of expertise.”

For recipients like Weatherford, being nominated and selected as an Academic Recognition Day Representative can often come as a shock.

“I was really surprised. I didn’t know I was nominated, so when I saw the email saying I was chosen it was really neat!” Weatherford said. “I dropped what I was doing and sent it to my mom.”

When Weatherford first transferred to GHC, she majored in music because she was coming from a musical theater program at another college. That was until she learned about the Film Production pathway at GHC.

“I knew that I wanted to make children’s television, and because of that I thought it made perfect sense to be a music major,” Weatherford said. “When I learned that the film program here was a hands-on program where you actually got to make films, I quickly changed to be a film major. It was an amazing decision that has opened so many doors.”

In August of 2022, Weatherford was voted president of the Highlands Film Society and has been working with the organization to plan events and short film productions. In addition, she serves as vice president of membership for the college’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Psi Omicron, giving her the opportunity to work with college administration to develop an ambassador program, as well as non-profit organizations like Open Door Children’s Home.

In her free time, Weatherford enjoys auditioning for short films and writing screenplays as well as having coffee with friends and streaming films and television.

After graduation, she hopes to move to Atlanta and start working on set in either a cast or crew capacity and to continue creating with those she met at GHC.

“I just heard Janina Gavankar say in an interview, ‘I don’t have a dream role; I have a dream career.’ That is really true,” Weatherford said. “I just want to be surrounded by creative people helping each other make what we are passionate about.”

“I think this has been a great place for me to learn and grow into myself,” Weatherford said. “GHC gave me the space to become confident in myself and my abilities.”

Academic Recognition Day is hosted annually by the Board of Regents in Atlanta.

Georgia Highlands College is proud to offer four degree options: an Associate of Arts degree, an Associate of Science degree, a Bachelor of Science degree, and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. In all, there are over 40 areas of study for students to choose from, including 17 that are fully online. No matter what pathway you want to pursue, GHC has a degree that will work for you.

CAREER PROGRAMS

Career programs are areas of study that prepare students for specific employment upon graduation, such as becoming a nurse or dental hygienist.

Dental Hygiene (RDH)

Human Services

Nursing (ASN)

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Building Information Modeling Management

Criminal Justice (eMajor)

Dental Hygiene (RDH to BSDH Completion)

Environmental and Natural Resources

Health Sciences

Nursing (RN to BSN Completion)

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Healthcare Management Logistics and Supply Chain Management

ONLINE OPTIONS

Business Administration

Communication

Criminal Justice

Dental Hygiene (RDH to BSDH)

English

Financial Technology

General Studies

Health Sciences (BSHS)

History

Journalism

Nursing (RN to BSN)

Political Science Psychology

Recreation Administration

Spanish

Sport Management

Teacher Education

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS PATHWAYS

Art Communication

Criminal Justice

English

Film Production

Film Studies

Graphic Design

History

Journalism

Political Science

Psychology

Sociology

Spanish

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE

PATHWAYS

Agriculture Biology

Business Administration

Chemistry

Computer Information Systems

Computer Science

Engineering

Entrepreneurship

Exercise Science

Financial Technology

General Studies

Geology

Health Professions

Mathematics

Recreation Administration

Sport Management

Teacher Education

Welcome to GHC

President Hobbs leads with a focus on students and community during his first year at GHC

Georgia Highlands College welcomed Dr. Mike Hobbs as the new president in July 2022 alongside the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

Originally from Ensley, Alabama, President Hobbs is a first-generation high school graduate and a first-generation college graduate.

Hobbs earned an associate degree in applied science from Jefferson State and completed his bachelor’s in criminal justice from the University of Alabama – Birmingham (UAB). He also earned his master’s degree in education supervision and leadership from UAB. He then completed his Ph.D. in community college leadership from Mississippi State University and his post-graduate coursework in economics from the University of Detroit Mercy.

Before GHC, he served as vice president for student affairs and athletic director at Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama. There he played a key role leading the college’s efforts to increase overall cohort graduation by 200%, student retention by 22%, and transfer-out rate to four-year schools by 20%. He supported capital campaigns that generated more than $50 million for Jefferson State and the St. Clair County School Board. He also assisted with completion of two successful SACS-

“Dr. Hobbs has a demonstrated ability to connect with today’s students and successfully support them toward graduation. Thanks to an already solid faculty and staff, Georgia Highlands has a bright future ahead.”

– USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue

COC accreditation reaffirmations.

“Dr. Hobbs has a demonstrated ability to connect with today’s students and successfully support them toward graduation. That vision, combined with his experience in admissions and student affairs, will help more Georgia Highlands students achieve a college education and grow the college’s reach in Northwest Georgia,”

Welcoming new U.S. citizens at a recent naturalization ceremony

Cartersville Christmas Parade with Campus Dean Leslie Johnson

Submitted photo

USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “Thanks to an already solid faculty and staff, Georgia Highlands has a bright future ahead.”

Within his first month at GHC, President Hobbs along with the Georgia Highlands College Foundation and the GHC leadership team created a new scholarship to help students pay for college. The new “Ready to Start” scholarship is for any student who falls a few hundred dollars short of paying after financial aid and other scholarships have been applied.

Dr. Hobbs stated that a few hundred dollars shouldn’t keep a student from attending class and working toward their college goals, and that’s why he and the leadership team at GHC decided to create this new fund to immediately help students during his first semester at the college—which helped hundreds of students right away.

He said the use of this new fund is a way of ensuring those students who are “ready to start” get the support they need at a moment in their college career when it can make the biggest impact.

“GHC is an economic engine in our region, generating career-ready graduates who go on to make our communities even better,” President Hobbs said. “The investments we make in our students today who are seeking to make a better life for themselves, their families, and their community will have exponential returns for our region and state.”

President Hobbs has also spent much of his first year at GHC bringing community leaders together throughout the 30 counties the college draws students from in Northwest Georgia .Starting in Rome, Cartersville, Marietta, and Dallas, then expanding out, Georgia Highlands College has hosted several events across the region with that aim in mind.

Legislators, community leaders, and more from across Northwest Georgia came together at GHC to engage with the college and meet President Hobbs as he spoke about his plans for the future of the college and its purpose in the community.

“We are the access college for the University System of Georgia for our region,” he said. “We are the talent producer for our footprint. So, whatever is in our footprint, we need to know from our economic partners what it is that they need. Because we educate you here, we get you a degree here, we get you in a job here, you raise your family here, and your kids stay here. We are here for our footprint.”

Save the Date

Throwing out the first pitch at the Rome Braves game

Pictured above: Welcoming students on the first day of fall semester

Pictured below: With Chancellor Perdue and the GHC Cheerleaders at the annual House vs. Senate Kickball Game in Atlanta

Submitted photo

Chancellor Sonny Perdue joins GHC leadership at Ribbon Cutting for new Marietta site

University System of Georgia Chancellor

Sonny Perdue spoke about the importance of access to higher education and the return on investment students can expect from completing a college degree during the Ribbon Cutting for GHC’s new Marietta site.

The new site opened at 1090 Northchase Parkway in summer of 2022 with the goal of bringing even greater access in Marietta to one of the most affordable colleges in the state and country.

“One of our chief goals at GHC is to provide opportunity to students through access to a college degree with little to no debt after graduating,” Marietta Campus Dean Ken Reaves said. “We do this through a range of degree options, flexible scheduling, and career-focused outcomes that put traditional students as well as students who may have full-time jobs and families to take care at the center of everything we do. We see student success at our college as graduating from a high-quality program for a low cost and ready for a career or ready to pursue a higher college degree program.”

Reaves added that moving to this new location in Marietta allows GHC to increase its presence in Marietta and continue serving as the USG’s primary access institution in the region.

The former GHC Marietta location was a small site opened on the Southern Polytechnic State University campus in 2005 (now Kennesaw State University).

PICTURED L to R: Vice President of Finance and Administration Jamie Petty, Provost and Cheif Academic Officer Sarah Coakley, President Mike Hobbs, Chancellor Sonny Perdue, Marietta Campus Dean Ken Reaves, Cartersville Campus Dean Leslie Johnson, Chief Human Resource Officer Dana Itkow, Chief Information Officer Rob Laltrello, and Director of Facilities David Van Hook.

FIRST CLASS AT NEW MARIETTA SITE

The very first class at the newest GHC site was a summer course on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and First Aid.

In 2022, GHC rolled out plans to bring even greater access to Marietta with a new site that offers one of the most affordable colleges in the state and country. Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and Wellness Jonathan Howard said teaching the first course at the new site produced a better learning experience because of the location’s flexible classroom space.

He said the Kinesiology and Wellness program will continue to utilize the new Marietta site and continue to teach courses at the location.

Campus News

GHC named one of 25 semifinalists for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence

Georgia Highlands College was named an Aspen Prize Semifinalist by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. GHC was one of 25 colleges across the country eligible to compete for a $1 million prize recognizing excellence in equitable outcomes for students in and after college.

GHC was the only institution in the University System of Georgia to be named.

The award is considered one of the nation’s signature recognitions of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges. The colleges selected for this honor stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving levels of student success as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds.

The Aspen Prize spotlights exemplary commu-

nity colleges in order to elevate the sector, drive attention to colleges doing the best work, and discover and share highly effective student success and equity strategies. Since 2010, Aspen has chosen to focus intensively on community colleges because they are—as First Lady Dr. Jill Biden stated at the 2021 Aspen Prize ceremony—“a powerful engine of prosperity.”

The Aspen Prize honors colleges with outstanding achievement in five critical areas: teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment, workforce success, and equity for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds.

For a full list of the top 150 eligible institutions and to read more on the selection process, the finalist and the winner, visit www.highered.aspeninstitute. org/aspen-prize.

Newest bachelor’s degree offers pathway to careers as Wildlife Biologist, Ecologist, and more

GHC launched a new bachelor’s degree in spring 2023. The Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Natural Resources aims to produce graduates who are able to collect, analyze, correlate, and evaluate scientific data pertaining to environmental and natural resources.

Careers in Environmental and Natural Resources include Wildlife Biologist, Environmental Scientist, Conservation Biologist, Natural Resource Manager, Field/Lab Technician, Forester, Ecologist, Veterinarian, Educator, and more.

The new bachelor’s program has been approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for certification.

Graduates of the program will be able to assess the health of various ecosystems, recommend strategies and methods for maintaining or improving the environment, effectively manage the use and protection of natural resources, and understand multiple dimensions of environmental sustainability issues.

Courses will focus on hands-on learning both in the laboratory and in the field.

Anyone interested in learning more about the new bachelor’s in Environmental and Natural Resources may complete an online interest form at EVNR.highlands.edu.

Celebrating 50 Years of Nursing

Campus News

Betty Coffman was one of the very first GHC nursing graduates from 1973. She stood to tell her story during the nursing reception at Heritage Hall held during fall semester in 2022. When Betty started at Georgia Highlands College (then Floyd Junior College), her youngest child was six months old. She had five kids total. When it was time to order uniforms, she decided not to order, telling the faculty and staff at the time that she wouldn’t be able to complete the program in two years.

The nursing department told her to order the uniform. She was going to complete in time. And she stated that through the care, support and attention she received from the college, she was able to finish on time.

Betty was joined by her daughter, Dr. Julie Barnes, who also graduated from the nursing program at GHC.

Many stories like this one were shared during a reception honoring nurse alumni. The event also highlighted 50 years of nursing at the college.

Former Director of Nursing Rebecca Maddox told the history of the program while GHC President Mike Hobbs was given an honorary nursing pin by the current Director of Nursing Paula Stover.

Organized by the School of Health Sciences at GHC, the reception was open to nursing alumni, cur-

rent and retired faculty and staff, as well as community partners and friends in the local nursing community.

Community partners and healthcare providers from the region, including Atrium Health Floyd, AdventHealth Redmond, Piedmont Cartersville, and Medical College of Georgia, were all in attendance.

A Rome City and Floyd County proclamation was delivered by City Commissioner Randy Quick, who also serves as President of the GHC Foundation. Additional members of the GHC Foundation were in attendance, including Trustee and nurse Sally Platt who spoke alongside Dean of Health Sciences Lisa Jellum.

The nursing program at Georgia Highlands College began in 1971 under Belen Nora’s leadership in Rome. In 1973, the first class graduated, and over the yearslarge percentages of graduates passed their licensure exam on the first attempt, establishing a legacy of success.

Since 2015, students have also had access to a low-cost, high-quality Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion program at GHC.

In May 2022, GHC celebrated the 50th graduating class of nurses.

PICTURED L to R: Dean of Health Sciences Lisa Jellum, Former Director of Nursing Rebecca Maddox, Assistant Director of Nursing Shea Walker, President Mike Hobbs, Former Director of Nursing Barbara Rees, GHC Foundation Chairman and Rome City Councilman Randy Quick, Director of Nursing Paula Stover

Betty Coffman and her daughter Dr. Barnes

GHC adds cheerleading, cross country, volleyball, and soccer

Georgia Highlands College has added four new sports to a growing list of competitive league sports now available to new and current students. New teams include soccer, volleyball, cross country, and cheerleading. Basketball and eSports were also recently added.

To give the community an up-close look at these sports, the college offered the League Sports Talent Showcase in April, holding events at both the Floyd and Cartersville locations. More than 100 registered for the Talent Showcase, during which participants were able to meet coaches, show off their skills, and complete an application for admission.

Although these teams do not compete in a Varsity Division, players bring their talent to statewide competitions with teams across the university system. They play against other colleges in competitive leagues and

contend for regional and national championships across the state and region.

Student Engagement Coordinator Clifton Puckett said the teams are part of a number of organizations, including the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA), the National Club Basketball Association (NCBBA), and the Southeast Collegiate Soccer Alliance.

GHC’s new competitive league sports are perfect for those who recently competed in high school, on travel sports teams, or on competitive leagues of any kind, and the program helps players build leadership, communication, decision-making, and team skills while earning a college degree.

Visit leaguesports.highlands.edu to learn more about the new competitive sports program.

Coakley selected for the Aspen Institute’s Rising Presidents Fellowship

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program (Aspen) announced that Sarah Coakley, Provost and Chief Academic Officer at GHC, is one of 31 leaders selected for the 2022-23 class of the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship. This program, delivered in collaboration with the Stanford Educational Leadership Initiative, prepares the next generation of community college presidents to transform institutions to achieve higher and more equitable levels of student success.

Many sitting community college presidents plan to retire in the next decade, creating vacancies and an opportunity to diversify college leadership. Aspen Presidential Fellows represent the next generation of

college leadership: this incoming class of Aspen Rising Presidents Fellows is 70 percent female, and 54 percent are people of color. The institutions they represent are also diverse, located in 16 states, from small rural colleges to large urban campuses. The fellows, selected through a competitive process, will work closely with highly accomplished community college presidents, Aspen leaders, and Stanford University faculty over ten months to learn from field-leading research, define and assess student success at their colleges, and clarify their visions for excellent and equitable outcomes for students while in college and after they graduate.

“The leaders that come through the Rising Presidents Fellowship continually inspire us,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the College Excellence Program. “We are motivated by the dedication and expertise that our fellows bring to advancing excellence and equity on their campuses, and we look forward to

COAKLEY– continued on page 29

GHC receives Dallas Downtown First award for Winn Building renovation

GHC recently received a Downtown First award for Outstanding Brick and Mortar Rehabilitation from the City of Dallas’ Downtown Main Street Advisory Board for renovations completed at the Winn Building, located at the college’s Paulding site in Downtown Dallas.

The renovation project, made possible with a total of $4.1 million in state funding under the fiscal year 2019 state budget, doubled the footprint of the Paulding site and transformed the facility into a modern academic building.

Paulding Site Manager Christina Henggeler nominated the project, saying it was exciting and an honor for the college to be considered for the award amongst the other Downtown Dallas establishments which have undergone renovations.

“I was absolutely surprised and thrilled to win this recognition and honored to represent the GHC Paulding site,” Henggeler said.

Director of Facilities David Van Hook said he received positive feedback from the Dallas community regarding the renovation, adding the college’s logo and digital signage has created a GHC presence in the downtown area that was not there before.

“The fact that this building is so prominent at a main intersection and has good signage and landscaping has made a lot of people realize that GHC is an integral part of the Dallas community,” Van Hook said.

The Winn Building, a former bank building, was gifted to GHC in 2010 from Paulding County. The new academic building includes classrooms, a physical education lab, a chemistry lab, student lounges, study rooms, a faculty suite, and a beautiful patio area.

The facility improves the student experience by providing up-to-date chemistry lab facilities and an

exercise gym for the campus community, as well as the implementation of technology such as a pass-through fume hood and multiple display screens in the chemistry lab.

The project took from February 2020 to July 2021 to complete.

“Repurposing a facility such as a bank into a lab and classroom building while adding student recreation and exercise facilities to the building presented a set of unique obstacles that would have been challenging enough to manage, but doing all of this during the height of the coronavirus pandemic really turned this project into a learning experience,” Van Hook said. “The construction team had to implement previously unheard-of medical protocols, shut down the project for quarantine, and even wait months beyond the promised delivery date for materials due to factory shutdowns.”

Students appreciate the building’s gathering space, soft seating and study rooms for lunch, relaxation, and studying between classes.

Henggeler and GHC President Mike Hobbs were recognized during the Downtown First awards ceremony held at the Dallas Theater on March 21 and hosted by the City of Dallas’ Downtown Main Street Program. The Downtown First Awards was created by Dallas’ Main Street Advisory Board to honor those who always put Downtown Dallas first. The awards started with dinner catered by Frannick’s Café at the Dallas Civic Center, and then the guests moved to the Dallas Theater

Campus News

President Hobbs and Paulding Site Manager Christina Henggeler

Submitted photo

Center for Continuing and Professional Education provides Frontline

Leadership training for local company

Over 30 team leaders from Voestalpine completed Frontline Leadership Training at GHC.

Voestalpine is an Austrian company operating a plant in Bartow County that makes auto parts. The company invested in their employees recently by enrolling them in the Center for Continuing and Professional Education at GHC.

The Frontline Leadership program is an intensive 30 hours of training to equip participants with skills and tools they can use as they lead and motivate others. Topics included “Inclusive Leadership,” “Communicating with Impact,” “Dealing with Conflict,” and “Problem-Solving and Decision-Making,” plus six more.

“Many local companies have chosen to invest in their teams in this way,” Teresa Violett McCoy said. She works in the Center for Continuing and Professional Education at GHC.

She added, “The classes happen about twice per month and are open to the public. Or, as in this case with Voestalpine, companies can contract with our Continuing Education department to provide several types of training on their site or ours, including diver-

sity and inclusion training, anti-harassment training, OSHA safety training, computer applications training, and leadership training.”

The Center for Continuing and Professional Education at GHC is currently offering a series of Frontline Leadership certificate classes, leadership courses and computer classes at the Cartersville site, as well as industry specific and online courses.

In addition to these courses, local companies may partner with the Center for Continuing Education to offer more specialized, targeted training for employees.

“Georgia Highlands College seeks to assist our communities and business partners by offering lifelong learning opportunities. These can be courses that allow individuals to enter the workforce with specialized training or simply workshops and classes that provide personal enrichment and growth,” Assistant Vice President for Finance and Administration Stephanie Loveless said. “The Center for Continuing and Professional Education at GHC is committed to supporting all the communities we serve.”

New partnership with RED expands college access

GHC has partnered with Rehabilitation Enables Dreams (RED) to offer college access to students in the RED “Restorative Justice Program.”

RED works with young people who have been referred to court by offering a oneyear program designed to help each person become a better person, a better citizen, and work toward social advancement.

The “Restorative Justice Program” creates a classroom atmosphere inside the courtroom and treats program participants as students rather than criminals. RED’s curriculum is structured to develop a student’s social, civic, financial, and digital literacy through task-oriented learning, engaging workshops, and interactive evidence based educational modules.

Students are paired with appropriate mentors based on an individual-needs intake assessment. Mentors support students in their personal development and guide them in the completion of program requirements.

Upon graduation, students’ charges are dropped,

records are restricted and sealed, and they are referred to higher education institutions and/or employment opportunities.

GHC will be joining the “Restorative Justice Program” as a low-cost college option offering a number of career-focused associate and bachelor’s degrees.

GHC sponsors short film contest for high schoolers

As an ongoing partner with the Rome International Film Festival (RIFF), GHC sponsored a short film contest for local high school students. The college recognized Cartersville High School (CHS) student Charles Crum for his directorial skills on the student film “CHS Jumbotron Crew: Behind the Scenes.”

The behind-the-scenes documentary features the student production crew at CHS and examines their process during football games on Friday nights.

Known as the RIFF Student Academy Short Films Contest, sponsored by GHC, films were submitted by area high schools from August to November.

The contest was judged by a panel from the RIFF Board of Directors, and the awards ceremony for the Student Short Films Contest was held on the Saturday of the film festival, Nov. 12, at the Rome City Auditorium. All films were screened at the festival, and the winners were announced. Unfortunately, Crum’s group was not able to attend that night.

The college leads the Student Film Academy, which is a one-day event open to area high schools to

showcase the college’s Film program. GHC is also a participating member of the Georgia Film Academy.

“GHC is a sponsor of RIFF, and we feel that encouraging student filmmakers and producers also supports our mission of high-quality educational opportunities for all students in our service areas,” Dean of Humanities Jessica Lindberg said.

‘The Loop’ podcast connects entrepreneurs to listeners

Following the success of the Entrepreneur Speaker Series at Georgia Highlands College, students and the general public can now tune-in to a new business-themed podcast called “The Loop.”

Brought to listeners monthly by Associate Professor of Business Administration Shanika Wright Turner, “The Loop” brings listeners the hottest business topics, making sure no one is left out of the circle.

“For two years, I hosted the Entrepreneur Speaker Series with business leaders, but due to COVID, I couldn’t have face-to-face sessions with the guests,” Turner said. “Now, I am able to meet with guests and have more intimate conversations and thus I created ‘The Loop.’

The first podcast aired September 28 and featured Gary Turner, a musician and entrepreneur who talked about his beginnings as a musician and DJ and how one’s hobby can grow and flourish into a business.

“‘The Loop’ will give anyone who listens insight into various aspects of the business world from people who have already achieved success,” Turner said. “Some of the future topics will include having a growth mindsight, forming good habits in business, discipline and the power of networking to just name a few.”

She said listeners can expect a one-on-one conversation, great tips and a relaxed atmosphere.

“Listeners will not only learn new things, but they will also be inspired,” Turner said.

GHC selected for Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Campus Center, first in University System of Georgia

GHC has been selected to host a Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) Campus Center by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U).

GHC joins 16 other colleges throughout the country joining the network. Currently three private colleges in Georgia have been selected. GHC is the first college chosen in the University System of Georgia.

“We’re thrilled to partner with this new cohort of host institutions,” said AAC&U President Lynn Pasquerella, “and we look forward to supporting their vital efforts to promote racial equity and healing on their campuses, in their communities, and through the fast-growing network of TRHT Campus Centers around the country.”

Beginning with the inaugural cohort of TRHT Campus Centers at 10 AAC&U member institutions in 2017, the TRHT Campus Centers effort has grown into a dynamic and diverse network of host institutions, including community colleges, liberal arts colleges, HBCUs, minority-serving institutions, faith-based institutions, and large research universities. The new centers announced today bring the total number of TRHT Campus Centers to 71, continuing momentum toward AAC&U’s goal of establishing at least 150 self-sustaining, communityintegrated TRHT Campus Centers at higher education institutions nationwide.

“As the network of TRHT Campus Centers expands, we remain humbled and dedicated to achieving our shared goals with our institutional partners. Doing the work of

truth, racial healing, and transformation has been, and continues to be, a great challenge and a privilege,” said Tia McNair, AAC&U Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Student Success and Executive Director for the TRHT Campus Centers.

TRHT Campus Centers play a vital role in the national TRHT effort to address historical and contemporary effects of racism by building sustainable capacity to promote deep, transformational change. With the shared goal of preparing the next generation of leaders and thinkers to build equitable and just communities by dismantling the false belief in a hierarchy of human value, each campus center uses the TRHT framework to implement its own visionary action plan for creating new narratives about race in their communities and promoting racial healing and relationship building through campus-community engagement.

At the annual AAC&U Institute on Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Campus Centers, teams from institutions interested in hosting a TRHT Campus Center and teams from existing host institutions work with the guidance of mentors to develop action plans that support their visions of what their campuses and communities will look, feel, and be like when there is no longer a false belief in a hierarchy of human value. Held each June, the TRHT Institute is central to building the capacity of new and existing centers to further the vision of the national TRHT movement. Applications for the next TRHT Institute will open in winter 2023.

Minority male initiative receives $20,000 award

The African-American Male Initiative (AAMI) program at Georgia Highlands College, known as GHAME, recently received a $20,000 award through the AAMI University System of Georgia (USG) Leadership Team to help support the program.

The award will help the organization to continue its mission by funding academic skills enrichment, student support services, adult and peer mentoring as well as leadership development.

“This funding has been instrumental in providing programming to the GHAME students, which has led to GHC having the highest retention and graduation rates in our sector for minority males the last four years in a row,” GHAME Coordinator Evan Snelling said.

Since its inception in 2008, the initiative has received state and national recognition, and members have gone on to successful and meaningful careers around the country. For example, the organization has helped

members such as Eduardo Rico and Dominic Weems to build a foundation during their time as students and to succeed in their personal lives (read more about Rico and Weems on page 32).

“The award will fund several critical elements of the GHAME Initiative, which include a professional development series, leadership training, a GHAME networking reception, and Foundation Camp Counselor costs,” Project Director of Inclusion and Equity Jon Hershey said. “In addition, the award is a recognition of success that impacts how the college community thinks about the initiative and how student members think about themselves.”

“African-American men who have participated in GHAME have increased their success rates tremendously, but that is not the case for minority men who are not in the program,” Hershey said. “The numbers prove that AAMI is still a vital and necessary program.”

Environmental Science 1123 at GHC isn’t your typical science course. In fact, none of the students in the course are science majors. They have all chosen it as an elective. The goal is to immerse students in the scientific method of research and testing, and conveying the results to a wider audience – a goal which Professor Billy Morris says can be applied across multiple disciplines.

And students like Jaysam Odeh agree. He said, “[this class] really opens up your mind.”

Odeh and Spencer Bush decided to see if they could power a 42-inch LCD TV using solar energy for their research in the class. The students installed two 100-watt solar panels near the southern-facing windows of the Floyd campus’s student center.

“Solar power really is the future,” Odeh said. “A lot of people are starting to use solar panels now at their homes and businesses, so we wanted to see how much energy you can get from solar panels.”

Each Wednesday at 2 PM, Bush and Odeh would check the equipment’s battery level, would let the TV run, and see how long it would last. The end result was seven hours of power.

“It’s really cool to see it all come to fruition and that energy from the sun is powering a TV,” Odeh said.

Logan Yarborough, Katrice Ferrel,l and Yaney Reyes wanted to determine if hardware store materials can effectively filter bacteria from indoor air. To find the answer, the students built four air filters

using a box fan, air filters, and cardboard, and then placed the fans around various buildings and the busiest classrooms on the Floyd Campus.

The results showed these hardware store materials can effectively filter bacteria from the air. After weeks of swabbing and testing the air filters for bacteria, the students did see growth in the filters, but none that could cause serious harm. In addition, little bacteria growth was found on the exhaust side of the filter.

The students said the filters take a minimum of 10 minutes to assemble with minimal effort. From there, they began testing the filters.

“After about three weeks of swabbing we finally began seeing results, and by week four, we put the bacteria under a microscope and were able to observe it and determine the type of bacteria,” Yarborough said.

The group found rhizoid, which is a non-harmful filamentous outgrowth or root hair found in lower plants, such as mosses and liverworts.

“It looks gross and you’re breathing it in, but it’s nothing to worry about,” Yarborough said.

While the group said they enjoyed working on the project, it also granted them greater insight as to what is in our air and the time and effort required to complete such research.

Other projects included river water quality testing, drinking water or tap water quality, and studies on insects.

Students apply course topics to real-world, hands-on research

Dental

Hygiene

students provide low-cost dental treatments at GHC

From dental cleanings for children and adults to X-rays and periodontal therapy, students in the Dental Hygiene program at GHC provide high-quality and reduced cost preventative care to upwards of 1,000 patients each year, with about 740 being served in 2022.

Students begin to provide patient care during their second semester in the program, typically in early March. During the spring semester two classes provide patient care with the senior class graduating in May.

“As students progress and build skills throughout the program, the number of patients seen each semester increases,” Director of Dental Hygiene Regina Gupta said.

As required by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, each faculty member oversees five students during each clinic session.

“This means that each faculty member is responsible for overseeing quality assurance of care and student learning for approximately 20 patients in one day,” Gupta said.

The work of student clinicians is checked at various stages of the care process with up to seven faculty checks per patient. Faculty provide evaluation and feedback to students as they learn best practices in the delivery of patient care.

Students experience caring for a variety of patients including children, teens, adults, and senior adults as they progress through the program. They also see patients with various oral health concerns, providing care to patients with good oral health as well as those experiencing periodontal diseases.

Cost for care ranges from $15 for a single sealant, to $95 for periodontal therapy, also known as a “deep cleaning.” Visit https://sites.highlands.edu/ dental/patients/ for a full list of services and prices.

The American Dental Association recommends everyone visit a dentist at least every six months for comprehensive care. Patients with periodontal diseases need to be seen three to four times a year to maintain good oral health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease increases with age, with 70.1% of adults age 65 and older experiencing periodontal disease.

“Our goal is to help patients prevent oral health diseases such as cavities, gingivitis, and periodon-

titis,” Gupta said. “Gingivitis can be controlled and treated with good oral hygiene and regular professional cleaning. More severe forms of periodontal disease can also be treated successfully but may require more extensive treatment.”

Because the GHC Dental Hygiene clinic does not offer restorative or comprehensive dental care, patients can receive preventive care in the clinic every 12 months with the recommendation that the patient see a dentist for comprehensive care, including any restorative needs.

Potential patients should be aware that there could be a wait time depending on the time of year they make contact and the number of available appointments with students. Because this is a teaching clinic, patients may need to return for several visits. The fee covers the completion of care, and patients are not charged per visit.

The GHC Dental Hygiene clinic is open to all members of the community and does not accept insurance. To schedule an appointment, call 706-295-6760.

Teen Maze held for first time at Floyd campus

More than 1,000 Floyd County teens gathered at GHC during fall semester 2022 to experience a lesson in simulated reality by participating in the annual Floyd Teen Maze, held for the first time in the gym at the college’s Floyd Campus.

Similar to the classic board game, “The Game of Life,” but hands-on and with modern scenarios, teens are faced with choices that will impact their lives in positive and negative ways. By navigating their way through the interactive maze, they increase their understanding of personal responsibility, learn peer resistance skills, how to make more effective life choices, and how to plan for a successful future.

Previously held at the Coosa Valley Fair Grounds, the event is sponsored by Northwest Georgia Public Health and the Rome-Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth. Each year 1,500 – 2,000 high school freshmen participate, representing students from the Floyd County School system, Rome City School system, Darlington School, and Unity Christian School. This event is supported by 200-250 community volunteers including local hospital staff, law enforcement, GHC nursing students, and more.

“Each student has two opportunities to go through the maze, but each scenario is by random drawing at each station,” Human Resources Programs Administrator and Floyd Campus Manager Bradley Gilmore said.

Some students may face positive scenarios, such as graduating from high school and finding a good job. Others may find they have dropped out of school and are struggling to make ends meet. Other scenarios dealing with a health emergency with or without health insurance, facing court fees, probation or navigating public service systems.

“As they complete the maze, the students go to an Information Trail where they are met by counselors, community organizations, and GHC college representatives,” Gilmore said. “Here they can get information and goodies to take home with them.”

GHC Nursing student Tori Miller volunteered at the Child Care table where students learned about the various forms of childcare and their associated costs.

“They have been very shocked,” Miller said. “We’re sharing our table with the Nursery area where they are talking about the cost of having a baby, so they’re learning without insurance it costs about $50,000 to have a child and even with insurance and what it covers, it’s still $4,000 to $6,000, so for a high school student that is a lot of money.”

Volunteer and GHC Paulding Site Counselor Andre Griggs worked with students as they randomly se-

lected a career and learned the education level required for that career and its salary.

“Some students would come back and would try to select another career because they learned they had a child on the way or were encountering additional responsibilities they had not planned for,” Griggs said.

He said he appreciated the students’ reactions to the maze and their willingness to listen to volunteers.

“The students seem to have an appetite for learning and were very receptive to what we had to offer,” Griggs said. “They are very much engaged, some are asking questions, some are smiling, and it’s great they responded with the same amount of energy that we put in.”

Campus News

Annual Foundation Camp teaches the fundamentals of leadership and first impression skills

Former campers turned counselors at the GHC Foundation Camp lead by example, and they want the new generation of campers to do the same. Each summer the campers receive a lesson in leadership beginning with a short motivational film followed by personal accounts from counselors explaining the importance of being a leader and the responsibility that comes with the designation.

Counselors, along with Camp Director Evan Snelling, speak on the virtues of leadership and the importance of having role models to follow. The lesson emphasizes that the road to becoming an effective leader is not always easy, but the struggles one encounters help build character and a stronger sense of self-worth.

“Being a leader and being successful is not about starting out fast; you’ll hit bumps along the way, but you have to keep going,” GHC alumnus and camp leader Quinten Leek told a group of campers. “I challenge you to be great, and you now have examples of people who are still going.”

Participants in Foundation Camp also learn essential

skills they will need as they grow older and encounter new challenges and experiences, such as learning to tie a tie and how to make a good first impression.

In addition to providing campers with these skills, the camp also emphasizes the importance of obtaining a college education and recognizing that goal requires an ongoing commitment throughout one’s formative years.

“If you want to be successful when you’re older and have the things you want, these are the steps you have to take,” Snelling told a group of campers. “There’s certain things you have to do now. It’s great to want to be an athlete, but you also have to study and focus.”

The camp, geared toward boys ages 10-14, is one of several partnerships between the 100 Black Men of Rome-Northwest Georgia and Georgia Highlands College. It is funded by generous donors and the GHC Foundation, giving students the opportunity to attend the camp free of charge, including transportation and a breakfast and lunch.

Annual Highlands Writers Conference held at Cartersville site

The School of Humanities hosted the 2023 Highlands Writers Conference in March at the college’s Cartersville site. The daylong event was free to students of any institution with a student ID, and $25 to the general public.

The event provided an opportunity to learn about professional writing and to improve one’s writing skills in an exciting, but relaxed environment.

Division Chair for the School of Humanities Danielle Steele said the conference featured amazing poets, fiction and non-fiction authors, as well as an award-winning screenwriter and a well-known podcaster.

“We ventured outside of just traditional print writing and recognized the evolution of storytelling,” Steele said. “And I believe that everyone has a story to tell, so this was a great chance to learn how to do that better from people who are getting paid to tell their stories.”

This year’s conference featured a diverse group of writers including, for the first time, a children’s book author and a Young Adult author. It also hosted a vendor’s area for participants to connect with authors as well as several writing and literary organizations from throughout the state. Participating programs and organizations

included the Atlanta Writers Club, Broadleaf Writers, the Reinhardt University Master of Fine Arts program, Georgia Humanities Council and several others.

The featured speaker for this year’s conference was LeAnne Howe. Howe is an enrolled citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and serves as the Eidson Distinguished Professor of American Literature in English at the University of Georgia.

Howe is the on-camera narrator for a 90-minute PBS documentary, “Indian Country Diaries, Spiral of Fire,” from 2006. In addition, she is the co-producer and writer for the 56-minute “Searching for Sequoyah,” which aired nationally in November 2021 on PBS stations, and for which she and producer James M. Fortier won a Telly Award.

A film screening for “Searching for Sequoyah” and a following conversation with Howe was offered at the event at no cost to the public.

The 2024 Highlands Writers Conference will continue the tradition of inviting published authors to share their approaches with aspiring and accomplished writers alike in a community-centered space on the Georgia Highlands College campus in Cartersville.

Please mark March 2 on your calendars to save the date for our 2024 Highlands Writers Conference!

Featured sepaker LeAnne Howe

Submitted photo

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE SYMPOSIUM

Students in the Nursing and Dental Hygiene programs at GHC were given the opportunity to share research with community partners, classmates, and faculty and staff during the School of Health Sciences’ Evidence-Based Practice Symposium, held for the first time in April of 2022, then again in April of 2023.

Groups of students as well as individual students researched medical topics related to their field of study, presenting their findings through poster presentations and oral presentations.

TRAINING EXERCISE HELPS APPLY CLASSROOM LESSONS TO REAL-WORLD SCENARIO

Nursing students participate in the annual training exercise each April, during which students were tasked with triaging “victims” in realworld scenario disasters.

In April 2022, the exercise was a mock tornado that “struck” both the first and second floors of GHC’s Heritage Hall site.

With the inside of the building reflecting damage — such as overturned tables and chairs as well as debris and areas lined in police caution tape – small groups of students were sent into the building to triage what was then an unknown number of individuals. Students sought to find staged tornado victims ranging from infants [dolls] to adults and with injuries ranging from light bruising to cranial damage.

The day-long event included the assistance of the National Weather Service, who provided a tornado education video recording and a Q&A portion of the event, as well as Floyd County Emergency Management, Floyd EMS, and the Rome-Floyd County Fire Department.

The 2023 training exercise featured a plane crash scenario. Watch for more at ghctoday.highlands.edu.

65 STUDENTS RECEIVE AWARDS AT 2022 ANNUAL HONORS NIGHT

GHC held its annual Honors Assembly in April 2022 at the Cartersville site. The event, which was

also streamed live, celebrated the academic achievements and special recognition of 65 GHC students.

The Georgia Highlands College Leadership Award was presented to student Matthew Perry. As the flagship award for the evening, the Leadership Award is for the student who best demonstrates the qualities of a positive leader, shows exemplary leadership on campus and in community activities while maintaining high academic standards. Students are nominated for the award by faculty and staff. Other nominees for the Leadership Award were Quentin Leek, Samantha Lewis, Kimberly Lyons and Joseph Mendoza.

The Georgia Highlands College Spirit Award was presented to Brandon Dyer. This award is for the student who best demonstrates dedication to campus life, activity in school and community projects and promotes school spirit to fellow students, faculty and staff.

The Georgia Highlands College Steve Burns Service Awards was presented to Camille Brown. This award is for the student who has demonstrated a commitment and passion for serving others and contributing to the well-being of the community.

More than 130 students, faculty, staff and members of the community attended the event in person, with more than 70 viewing online.

ACADEMIC SHOWCASE HELD FOR FIRST TIME

The first Academic Showcase at GHC’s Cartersville site, held in May 2022, placed research by students, faculty, and staff front and center for a shared learning experience.

Topics at the showcase ranged from exploring Cultural Immersion in Healthcare to implementing the popular video game Minecraft into educational instruction.

Exhibits during the Academic Showcase included a family communication book, a 3D model of the brain, live music, a digital painting, and poetry.

Captain Orry Young gave the keynote address and was presented the first Georgia Highlands College Distinguished Alumni Award.

Read more about Captain Young on page 31 of this issue.

WYOMING SUMMER FIELD COURSE TRIP

For more than two decades, the Georgia Highlands College summer field course trip to Wyoming has helped students to learn more about the natural world first-hand while also gaining college credit. In 2022, around one-dozen students attended the trek, earning two lab course credits plus an optional physical education credit.

This was the first Wyoming summer field course trip following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic. The trip was one of constant adaptability that included road closures and a large portion of Yellowstone being closed due to recent flooding prior to the trip.

Fortunately, students adapted to the changes and were able to enjoy a mostly uninhabited Yellowstone and a once-in-a-lifetime experiential learning opportunity.

CHARGE INTO LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Students from GHC along with members of Youth Leadership Bartow gathered at the Cartersville site in the fall for the “Charge Into Leadership Conference.”

The day-long event featured guest speakers like keynote speaker George Mitchell, currently the leader of the largest African American financial services team in Northern California with over 350 licensed representatives.

In addition to an entrepreneurship speaker panel featuring business leaders from across the country, students attended breakout sessions with GHC faculty and staff covering aspects of leadership, as well as a “Women in Leadership” roundtable.

Session topics included planning for additional higher education, time utility and work-life balance, with guest speakers also providing sessions telling of their own personal and professional experiences while providing insight on motivation and leadership.

Father and son working on degree goals together

Film student Patrick Daniel started his first semester at GHC in fall 2022. Like many students, he finds it helpful to be involved on campus and to have a classmate to study with, even if they’re pursuing a different major.

His father, Chris Daniel, is working toward a psychology degree from GHC. Both he and his son serve as staffers on the Six Mile Post (SMP) student news outlet.

“It’s been pretty good going to college with my dad because he has been helping me with essays and other projects because he has similar classes to me,” Patrick said.

Since enrolling at GHC, Patrick said he has gained a sense of greater independence, and that there are benefits of working with the SMP as well.

At the SMP, Patrick’s first assignment was writing an opinion piece on the series “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,” with Chris providing the accompanying graphic.

“Doing interviews has helped me with my social anxiety and talking to people,” Patrick said.

Chris said he decided to enroll at GHC in the winter of 2021 after becoming dissatisfied with his job of nearly 30 years and wanting a change.

“GHC’s location and its affordability made it an obvious choice,” Chris said.

As a longtime artist and writer, Chris said joining the SMP has been a valuable experience and has given him a purpose to get back to something he enjoyed doing. It has also had a positive effect on him personally and in his

classes.

“Working with the SMP also took me out of my comfort zone by forcing me to interview strangers, which is a thing that I needed very much,” Chris said. “Things I have learned in sociology, for instance, find their way into the paper, and things I learn from my experience with the paper aid me in my class work,” he said.

While Patrick and Chris may not have classes together, they are taking similar courses.

“We are both taking COMM 1100 this semester, albeit with different instructors” Chris said. “So, we are enjoying a little friendly competition.”

Chris says his time at GHC has helped him grow personally and professionally.

“I have already used my progress to change career fields,” Chris said. “I now work as a Registered Behavior Technician, providing therapy to children with autism.”

Following graduation from GHC, both Patrick and Chris have plans to continue their education.

Journalism student volunteers to cover local high school sports

While Brandon Dyer’s coverage of Charger Athletics is a mainstay for the Six Mile Post (SMP), his journalistic endeavors extend off campus as well. Most recently, he covered the fall 2022 season of Model High School football games for regional and local news website FetchYourNews.com.

“It was important for me to cover Model High School football because it showed me that I can cover a full season of a football team,” Dyer said. “Seeing the raw emotions of a sporting event while being next to players is something that I will never forget.”

He said the SMP has been the perfect place for him to begin his journalism career, citing Assistant Professor of Journalism and Communications and CoAdvisor Allison Hattaway’s influence.

For Dyer, enrolling in the Journalism pathway at GHC was just the beginning. In just two short years, Dyer received numerous awards from state and regional press institutes for his sports writing, photography and podcasting skills featured by the SMP student news agency.

“I decided to enroll at GHC in spring 2020 because I was in search of a journalism program that would properly teach me the ins and outs of the industry,” Dyer said.

Before Dyer even enrolled at GHC, seeing copies of the SMP on news racks during a campus visit piqued his interest for what could be in store for him as a student.

“That was enough for me to notice that I wanted to get involved with the student organization rather quickly,” he said.

While the opportunity to cover local football

DYER– continued on page 25

Hodges finds his ‘way’ on Wyoming trip, changes major to GHC’s newest bachelor’s degree

For GHC student William Hodges, going on the annual Wyoming Summer Geology Field Course was a “no brainer.” Little did he know the trip would change his whole outlook on college and his future career.

“I thought it would be a fun way to knock out my two science credits which would be required for any degree I might pursue,” Hodges said.

When he started the course as a general studies major, Hodges said his goal was simply to complete required science credits. However, being in Wyoming helped him realize his passion for nature and the outdoors.

“Now I want to pursue a career in which I can help preserve our wildlife for future generations,” Hodges said. “Since the trip, I have decided to change my major to the new Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Natural Resources pathway.”

GHC launched its newest bachelor’s degree in spring 2023. The Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Natural Resources aims to produce graduates who are able to collect, analyze, correlate, and evaluate scientific data pertaining to environmental and natural resources. (Read more on page 12.)

The Wyoming Summer Geology Field Course is expanding to include options for ecology for those pursuing this new bachelor’s degree.

As a fan of the outdoors and travel, Hodges hopes to one day see all 50 states and as many national parks as he can. The trip to Wyoming helped him to move forward with that goal, which included visits to sites and locations such as Yellowstone National Park.

“We literally spent four days on top of a supervolcano while we hiked through snow, saw wolves hunt bison, witnessed boiling hot water explode from the Earth, and a lot more that I still cannot believe,” Hodges said. “It was cool to see how everything in the environ-

DYER– continued from page 24

games provided Dyer with real-world experience in sports journalism, it also opened doors and reinforced his love of football and journalism.

“The connections that I made locally and within the Model coaching staff are something that I will forever be thankful for,” he said. “Being on the sidelines with the team has further implemented how much pas-

ment was connected: the hot springs and the microorganisms, the rivers and the fish, the composition of the rocks and the plants that grow from them. Every aspect of the ecosystem worked together to live in harmony.”

Hodges said he didn’t know any of his classmates when beginning the course, but through team building exercises and spending two full weeks together he said they all quickly became good friends.

“When I began the trip, I was worried I might get homesick after two weeks. Instead, the opposite has happened – I wish I was back in Wyoming,” Hodges said. “I wish I could go back to being able to walk outside and see the Tetons reflecting off Jackson Lake. I wish I could once again look up at the night sky and actually see the Milky Way. I wish I could go back to white water rafting the Snake River where the only thing that mattered was making sure we all stayed in the raft. Every time I travel somewhere new, I feel like I leave a piece of myself behind. I especially feel that way about Wyoming!”

He said he recommends all students take advantage of the Wyoming Summer Geology Field Course.

“You will not regret it. Regardless of your major, you will need to complete your science classes, so why not also travel and see some of the most beautiful land in the U.S. at a relatively economical price?” Hodges said.

sion that I have for the sport.”

Dyer said students should make the most of any opportunities offered to them while at GHC.

“While you may be in a rush to get through college, make sure you are also gaining experience in your desired career field,” he said. “It may be the thing that helps you break through that barrier on a resumé.”

“Every time I travel somewhere new, I feel like I leave a piece of myself behind. I especially feel that way about Wyoming!”

PTK chapter sees awards, scholarships and 5-star-status during exceptional academic year

The Alpha Psi Omicron chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) at Georgia Highlands College has a lot to be proud of for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition to completing several service projects such as Christmas Angel Trees for campus community organizations, regional work with the Fort McPherson Veterans Residential Rehabilitation Treatment center, working with the Rome Open Door Children’s Home for the Honors in Action project, and helping pack food pantry items for GHC students, the chapter also served in the Regional Officer position of Secretary.

Chapter president April Cole was the official Regional Officer Representative. She helped lead both the fall and spring regional conferences held at the University of Georgia in September and Atlanta Metropolitan State College in March as well as attended the Regional Institute at PTK Headquarters in Jackson, Miss., in November 2022.

Six PTK students, Francisco Alonzo, April Cole, Iris Perla-Iglesias, Esmeralda Rodriguez, Labeeba Shafique, and Lyzette Schott were selected from GHC for the Coca-Cola All-Georgia Academic Team for those transferring on to earn their bachelor’s degrees, and two students, Laila McCleery and Katie Weatherford, were selected from

GHC for being career transfer ready. They were honored at an awards luncheon held at the Coca-Cola headquarters for the first time in March.

April Cole was selected as this year’s Coca-Cola New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar and Labeeba Shafique was selected as the Coca-Cola Bronze Scholar. Read more about these students at ghctoday. highlands.edu.

April Cole and Emmanuel Arroyo were selected as semi-finalists for the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship and Katie Weatherford (page 6) was selected as the Board of Regents Academic Recognition Day Representative for 2023.

Honors continued with the Alpha Psi Omicron chapter winning multiple regional awards with hopes for more at the international PTK Catalyst conference.

At the Georgia Spring Regional Conference, the chapter won the big top three regional awards with the Distinguished Honors in Action, Distinguished College Project, and top Distinguished Chapter overall. The Honors in Action project was on the theme Systems of Play entitled “Media, Identity, & Play: Reconnecting with Our Teens,” which involved working with the Rome Open Door Children’s Home and

PTK– continued on page 27

Coca-Cola Bronze Scholar Labeeba Shafique

Coca-Cola New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar April Cole

Submitted photo

Brother 2 Brother travels, makes presentations, and brings back ideas for 2022-2023

During the past year, members of the student organization Brother 2 Brother (B2B) spent much of their time outside the classroom traveling to national conferences, during which students spoke on various topics relating to their experiences as college students.

In the summer of 2022, Jacari Gill, Quentin Leek, Stearlin Lewis and Damani Johnson-Taylor attended the GlobalMindED 2022 Conference in Denver.

Titled “Taking Charge: Using Leadership Mindset to Break Barriers for African-American and Latino Men at Georgia Highlands College,” the overall message of the team’s presentation was that expectations are high for members of GHAME and B2B in both academics and leadership. Additionally, the team sat and spoke with other event attendees to gain their perspectives.

In the fall of 2022, members attended a GlobalMindED conference at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), during which students participated in panel discussions and breakout sessions.

Student and B2B Cartersville Chapter President Jalen Hudson participated on a panel with other students titled “How Can We Better Respond to Student Needs?”

Hudson, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration at GHC, spoke about an opportunity he and fellow GHC students had to speak with GHC President Mike Hobbs and University System of Georgia Board of Regent member Cade Joiner about their roles as students on campus, what they wanted to see on campus, what they enjoyed at GHC, and things they would like changed.

Other B2B members who attended the conference were Michael Acoff, Tyison Brooks, and Jacari Gill.

In spring of 2023, members attended and spoke at the American Association of College and Universities (AAC&U) Conference on Diversity, Equity, and Student Success, held in Henderson, NV.

Presenting on the topic “Barriers at the Crossroads: How Students Struggle with Transitions and Learn to Overcome Them,” B2B leader Damani Johnson-Taylor and Student Government Association (SGA) Vice President Jalen Hudson shared their experiences. In addition, GHAME Coordinator Evan Snelling, Project Director of Inclusion & Equity Jon Hershey, and Marietta Campus Dean Ken Reaves spoke on the same topic.

Also in spring of 2023, members Kevin Sajous, Chanin Kenner, Tyison Brooks, and Jason Dudley traveled to the national 2023 Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) Conference in St. Louis. The national parent organization for B2B, SAAB focuses on increasing the number of African American and Latino men who graduate from college by creating a positive peer community based on a spirit of caring.

Kevin Sajous and Chanin Kenner, were called upon to speak to the main event hall of all attendees. Sajous, who is pursuing the Entrepreneurship pathway, said he decided to participate in the SAAB conference because it was a great opportunity to network and learn more about different opportunities available to young people of color. Kenner, who is studying Logistics and Supply Chain Management, attended the conference because he wanted to immerse himself in field experience to grow his contributions to B2B.

Read more about Brother 2 Brother at ghctoday. highlands.edu

culminated in an original documentary that was previewed on each campus location and can be viewed on YouTube.

This year’s College Project involved working closely with GHC administration to create the foundation for the new GHC Student Ambassador program which is being beta tested this spring and will officially begin Fall 2023.

Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sarah Coakley won the regional Distinguished Administrator award for her continued support of GHC’s chapter and help with the College Project. She will be honored at the PTK New Member Induction ceremony.

The chapter won the top regional Distinguished Officer Team award, April Cole won the Sarah Anne Staples Award, April Cole and Katie Weatherford won Chapter Officer Runner-up, Laila McCleery won Hall of Honor Runner-up, and Katie Weatherford won Janet Walker Honorable Mention.

The chapter once again earned the top 5-Star Chapter Status with the advisor team winning the Advisor Horizon award and was selected as the new 2023-2024 Regional Presidential Chapter and will be hosting the Regional Spring Conference in spring 2024.

PTK– continued from page 26

Stuglin selected for Felton Jenkins, Jr. Hall of Fame Faculty Award

In recognition of his ongoing dedication to reaching students through innovative teaching practices, Steve Stuglin, Associate Professor of Communication at GHC, was selected for a 2023 Felton Jenkins, Jr. Hall of Fame Faculty Award – one of only three in the state.

These University System of Georgia (USG) awards recognize individual faculty and staff for a strong commitment to teaching and student success. One faculty or staff award is given for the research and comprehensive universities sector, one for the state university sector, and one for the state college sector.

Associate Vice Chancellor for Student and Faculty Success Jonathan Watts Hull said the selection process for the awards was highly competitive, and the awards committee was impressed by Stuglin’s extensive list of innovative teaching practices, including “flipped” classrooms, Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TILT) assignments and use of gaming and interviews. In particular, the committee was impressed by the data presented by Stuglin showing the positive impact of these methods on student success. Stuglin explained, for example, his introverted or “flipped” classroom model used for his core Human Communication course:

“In-class instruction time is often lost by reviewing content that most college students can comprehend on their first read of it at home,” Stuglin said. “I require that at-home reading with workbook entries due at the start of each class. After checking for understanding, I am left with the majority of every class period to spend on applying content from the readings and problem-solving in small groups, instead of lecturing material that was already covered in the chapters.”

In addition, because GHC offers High Impact Practices and First-Year Experience courses, Stuglin was able to create and teach four new courses for the GHC School of Humanities: Political Argument & Debate, Engaging in Elections, Persuasion in Advertising, and Rhetorics of Video Games. In the Gaming course, for example, he teaches rhetorical criticism techniques typically applied to poetry, prose and music and instead applies those techniques to the video games students play.

“By choosing artifacts for analysis that already spark passion with students, Rhetorics of Video Games provides an avenue to get students truly excited about rhetorical criticism,” Stuglin said. “In the class, I teach students how to use Narrative, Ideological, Metaphoric, Feminist, and Genre Criticism on modern video games. By the end of the semester, students write full length rhetorical critiques of video game artifacts they chose for analysis.”

Stuglin previously taught at Eastern Michigan University in 2007 as a master’s degree-level graduate teaching assistant, then went on to teach at Georgia State University from 2008 to 2012 as a doctorallevel graduate teaching assistant. He has been with GHC since 2012 and is currently a tenured Associate Professor.

“Being selected for the award honors the years and years of hard work that I have put into a career that I love,” Stuglin said. “Helping college students find their voice is my life’s work, and it is very validating to see that work recognized by the highest levels of the University System of Georgia.”

Stuglin will be officially recognized at the annual Board of Regents’ Scholarship Gala in September at the Atlanta History Center.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

KENCHO TENZIN NAMED “TEACHER OF THE YEAR”

Kencho Tenzin, an Associate Professor of Religion and Philosophy at GHC, was recently recognized as a “Teacher of the Year” during the annual Cobb Chamber of Commerce Give our Schools a Hand (GOSH) program celebration breakfast.

Tenzin began at GHC as a parttime instructor in the fall of 2007 and went on to full-time status in 2009. In fall 2017 he was promoted to Assistant Professor and then to Associate Professor in fall 2021.

“I am thankful I chose to be a teacher, especially teaching philosophy and religion,” Tenzin said. “Even inspiring one student to make a difference in their life makes all the effort worthwhile.”

RUTLEDGE RECEIVES 2023 YOUNG HEART OF THE COMMUNITY AWARD

Melissa Rutledge, a part-time Graphic Design instructor at GHC, is the recipient of the 2023 Young Heart of the Community Award, presented by the Heart of the Community Foundation in Rome.

Heart of the Community awards are given to a handful of citizens in Rome each year who have dedicated their lives to community service and non-profit work.

CIO COMPLETES USG EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Chief Information Officer Rob Laltrello completed the University System of Georgia’s (USG) Executive Leadership Institute.

The Executive Leadership Institute, facilitated by USG’s Center for Leadership Excellence, is a comprehensive 120-hour development program facilitated by leading experts

COAKLEY– continued from page 14

supporting their work.”

in leadership, during which scholars will enhance their leadership skills to prepare for potential high-level advancement within the USG.

Laltrello recommends the institute for anyone seeking to grow professionally and personally.

“People are all wired differently from how you are wired,” Laltrello said. “Learning to understand how to utilize this to the advantage of the individual and the overall team or mission is key to success.”

CHRISTIAN NAMED DEAN OF STEM

Jason Christian was selected to serve as the Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

As Dean, Christian oversees the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics which houses biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics and technology, as well as building information modeling and management.

Christian has been serving in the role in the interim capacity since March 2021.

JELLUM NAMED DEAN OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Lisa Jellum was named the new dean of Health Sciences. Jellum will oversee the School of Health Sciences which includes Dental Hygiene, Kinesiology and Wellness, and Nursing.

She holds an Ed.D. from the University of West Georgia with a concentration in Education Media and Technology. In addition to a Master of Science in Sport, Fitness and Recreation Management, Jellum also holds a bachelor’s in Health and Human Performance from Montana State University Billings.

Rising Presidents Fellows aspire to enter a college presidency within five years of completing the fellowship. As fellows, they join a network of over 300 forward-thinking peers—122 of whom are sitting college presidents—who are applying grounded and innovative strategies to meet student success challenges in their colleges.

The Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship is made

ROGERS NAMED STEM DIVISION CHAIR

Brandy Rogers accepted the position of Division Chair in the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Rogers has been serving in the interim capacity since August of 2021 and will continue to oversee the Biological Sciences Division within the School of STEM. Rogers is a 2013 graduate of GHC. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Dalton State College and a Master of Science in Integrative Biology from Kennesaw State University.

OSBORNE NAMED DIVISION CHAIR FOR LIBRARY SERVICES

Jessica Osborne accepted the position of Division Chair for Library Services. She began her new role in September 2022.

Osborne started at GHC in 2019 as the Cartersville campus Librarian. She will be rejoining GHC after a brief time as the Assistant Director for Collection Development at the Henry County Library system.

INGRAM SERVES AS ASSOCIATE PRODUCER OF ‘SPIRIT HALLOWEEN: THE MOVIE’

The film “Spirit Halloween: The Movie” has a lot of ties to Rome. In addition to featuring recognizable locations like the DeSoto Theatre, the former Toys R Us, and the landscape of Celanese, one of the film’s associate producers is the Chair of Film Studies Seth Ingram.

Ingram played a big part in the production of the film, which stars Christopher Lloyd, Rachel Leigh Cook, Marla Gibbs, and Jaiden J. Smith among others. GHC film students also worked on the production.

possible by the generous support of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, College Futures Foundation, Joyce Foundation, and JPMorgan Chase.

Chargers Taking Charge

GHC ALUMNA NAMED FLOYD COUNTY SCHOOLS TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Jessica Murphy, a fourth-grade teacher at Model Elementary School (MES) in Floyd County and graduate of GHC was named the 2022 Floyd County School System Teacher of the Year.

For Murphy, receiving the award was a pleasant surprise and the result of her lifetime goal of being a teacher.

“I have wanted to teach since I was in the third grade, and it’s pretty unbelievable that you can be so highly recognized for something you love doing,” Murphy said. “I was nominated along with some pretty impressive teachers, and I think we all deserved the recognition.”

In addition to being named Teacher of the Year for Floyd County schools, she was also nominated as Teacher of the Year by MES.

“Unlike the Floyd County School Teacher of the Year recognition, I made the people that I work with proud and that means more than anything,” Murphy said.

She described her time at GHC as a positive introduction to higher education.

“All of the staff was so helpful and supportive,

and I learned so much from my time there,” Murphy said. “The education program and introduction classes helped guide me in the right direction for my career.”

One class that particularly stands out during her time at GHC was a summer semester studying World Literature.

“It was one of the hardest classes, but I loved it. It opened my eyes to so many different pieces of literature that have a place in my heart today,” she said. “I think that is what drives me as a literature teacher right now.”

Her advice for anyone considering becoming a teacher? If you’re not 100% positive, visit a classroom.

“If you reach out to principals, they will be open to letting you come in to observe. As you continue your career field, make learning challenging and fun,” Murphy said. “Take an assignment that would normally be a drag and spice it up. Make the students want to come. Finally, build relationships with your students as you teach as relationships are key.”

KNOW A CHARGER TAKING CHARGE?

GHC alumni are Chargers! And Chargers Take Charge. Thousands of GHC alumni embody the #TakingCharge motto throughout the state and country by making a difference in their communities and making the most of their careers.

Do you know other successful GHC alumni? Email us at marcom@highlands.edu and let us know, so they can join other alumni in GHC’s spotlight series “Chargers Taking Charge.”

“The education program and introduction classes [at GHC] helped guide me in the right direction for my career.”

CAPTAIN ORRY YOUNG PRESENTED GHC’S FIRST DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

After his keynote address during the Academic Showcase held in May 2022, Captain Orry Young was presented the first Georgia Highlands College Distinguished Alumni Award.

Following his graduation from GHC in 2011, Young transferred to the University of Georgia on an ROTC scholarship. Capt. Young says Georgia Highlands College allowed him to gain skills both inside and outside the classroom that he has applied to his growing academic and professional pursuits, including seven years of active-duty military intelligence. He has completed three combat tours in Afghanistan and Syria.

He stated the two biggest lessons he took from GHC were being able to develop a convincing argument and to always hone one’s critical thinking skills. He has exercised both while serving as a Senior Intelligence Officer for the U.S. Army, briefing high-level generals overseas with pertinent and complex information.

“This college is still a very special place. For me, GHC served as a foundation for not only my academic career but my professional career and personal life,” Capt. Young said. “The level of instruction you get at Georgia Highlands College set the foundation for me to be able to discern fact from fiction, and to be able to make an argument and to prove your case.”

In addition, he says GHC led him to professional development opportunities that helped him with skills such as leadership, teamwork, and communication. For

Capt. Young, an early leadership role was serving as president of GHC’s Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Psi Omicron Chapter.

“You don’t realize the way being involved benefits you personally and benefits the people around you,” he said.

Capt. Young described receiving the first GHC Distinguished Alumni Award as a “great surprise.”

“This award is a huge deal to me because I have thought so highly of Georgia Highlands College over the years, and it’s nice to know the people here have invested so much in the alumni community as well,” Capt. Young said.

Capt. Young is currently completing his Master of Business Administration this spring at Emory University and will then start a career in Marketing and Strategy at Microsoft in Atlanta.

Chargers Taking Charge

BUDDING ENTREPRENEUR EDUARDO RICO USES BUSINESS DEGREE TO START HIS OWN COMPANY

Eduardo Rico said taking classes and earning an associate degree in business from GHC helped him see the possibilities and the potential to pursue his passion: starting his own company.

In October 2021, Rico dedicated himself to his landscaping business called ABI Lawns, LLC., in Rome.

“I believe that earning a business degree from GHC definitely planted a seed that one day I could manage and own my own business,” Rico said. “I am fortunate enough that I found something that I enjoy and excel at. Applying what I learned while at GHC definitely led to a formula to the success of my business. This can be true for anyone aiming to start a business.”

As a student, Rico became involved in GHAME and Brother

2 Brother (B2B) at GHC, which helped him build bonds with fellow students and GHC faculty.

“I struggled with many things as we all do. I reached out for support and ended up getting an entire support system,” Rico said. “I definitely learned a lot and leaned on B2B. In the process I was able to gain confidence, and it led me to strive forward – all while helping and supporting others as well.”

His recommendation to others seeking to start their own business is to focus on preparation early so when an opportunity arises it’s easier to take on the challenge.

“Starting a business can be challenging, but the rewards are worth the efforts,” Rico said. “Focus on preparation so that when opportunity comes, you can succeed at whatever it is you are pursuing.”

DOMINIC WEEMS: ‘GHC HELPED ME CREATE A GAMEPLAN OF WHAT I WANTED TO DO’

Dominic Weems is now an assistant basketball coach at South Arkansas Community College (SouthArk). He earned his associate degree at GHC, where he credits the school for helping him find the path toward a career he’s always wanted.

“GHC helped me create a gameplan of what I wanted to do in the future,” Weems said.

“GHC has definitely helped shape me to be the person I am today.”

As a GHC student, Weems became involved in

GHAME and Brother 2 Brother (B2B), which helped provide him with a support network of other students and faculty.

“I am forever grateful for them, for they have helped me with becoming a better student and a better person as well while at GHC,” he said.

After graduating from GHC, Weems went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from Berry College and a Master’s in Sports Management from Reinhardt University. He is very excited to be in his role at SouthArk since coaching has been a longtime goal and passion for him.

As assistant coach, Weems said he hopes to help players strive on and off the court.

“I want to help them be leaders in the community,” he said. “I also hope to work with the players on striving to be the best version of themselves and get them to play at a four-year college.”

Summer ‘22 Study Abroad trips made possible by Cook Study Abroad Scholarship

Study Abroad Scholarship, she has received the U.S. State Department’s Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship and the Juniors Pursuing Graduation Scholarship.

Von Nordeck plans to graduate GHC in spring 2023 and to apply to Emory University’s Physician Assistant program.

SCOTLAND

Kristina Von Nordeck was recently able to follow one of her longtime dreams by visiting Scotland.

The Bachelor’s in Health Sciences major was able to spend two weeks in historic Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, while earning college credit through the University System of Georgia’s USG Goes Global program.

“Scotland has always been on my bucket list of places to visit,” Von Nordeck said. “The beauty of Scotland is surreal. It is where Heaven meets Earth.”

Von Nordeck took history and parapsychology classes while abroad, learning traditions of the Scottish people, like ghosts, legends and folklore. She said she enjoyed meeting the residents and experiencing the culture first-hand.

“I also wanted to research my ancestry as I was able to trace my family line back to 700 A.D. in Scotland,” she said. “I was able to find and see a church my family established to help those in need in the 16th and 17th century. It was a homecoming in a sense.”

Her experiences on the trip are something Von Nordeck said she will remember for the rest of her life.

“This has changed my life forever, for the better,” Von Nordeck said. “I have developed a deeper appreciation for history and culture and built amazing friendships along the way. It is too amazing to put into words. I hope to return one day and give my children this experience as well.”

She learned about the GHC Foundation’s Cook Study Abroad Scholarship from Office of Financial Aid at GHC.

“I found out there was financial aid and scholarships to help, otherwise this may have not been something I could afford as a single mom,” Von Nordeck said. “It was a once in a lifetime chance I decided to take.”

She said she recommends anyone who is on the fence about engaging in study abroad opportunities to follow through with their ambition.

Von Nordeck also recommended students take advantage of and apply for other financial aid available through the Office of Financial Aid and scholarships through the GHC Foundation. In addition to the Cook

“It is never too late, and you are never too old to follow your dreams and passion,” she said. “Look at me, a 37-year-old single mom and getting to see the world thanks to GHC and the amazing advisors who work there.”

PARIS

Arianna De Souza earned college credits from GHC during a study abroad trip to Paris.

During her time in Paris, De Souza was able to take in the sights and sounds of a new city all while earning college credit.

“It was always my dream to attend a study abroad course and Paris gave me the opportunity too, whilst receiving the necessary credit for my degree,” De Souza said. She is currently pursuing an Associate in Business Administration.

The trip was part of the University System of Georgia’s USG Goes Global study abroad program.

“I profoundly enjoyed taking these courses because it was taught with a French aspect,” De Souza said. “We also had several field trips that tied into the lesson, which made the courses easier to understand and apply to my studies.”

She said the trip was exciting and gave her the opportunity to explore the city in her free time, such as seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night and the SacreCouer Church that overlooks Paris.

“It may seem quite intimidating at first, however, this experience allows you to explore the world, meet many new people, and it gives you real-life context to your course all while earning your degree,” De Souza said. “A study-aboard course is truly a memorable experience.”

De Souza graduated from GHC in December 2022 and transferred to Kennesaw State University.

Submitted photo

Submitted photo

GHC leadership creates ‘Ready to Start’ scholarship to help students pay for college

Alongside the Georgia Highlands College Foundation, the leadership team at GHC created a new scholarship to help students pay for college. The new “Ready to Start” scholarship is for any student who falls a few hundred dollars short of paying after financial aid and other scholarships have been applied.

President Mike Hobbs stated that a few hundred dollars shouldn’t keep a student from attending class and working toward their college goals, and that’s why he and the leadership team at GHC decided to create this new fund in fall 2022 to immediately help students —which could help hundreds of students right away.

According to the GHC Foundation, on average $200 can make the difference for a student working to complete a college degree.

President Hobbs said the use of this new fund is a way of ensuring students who are “ready to start” get the support they need at a moment in their college career when it can make the biggest impact.

The “Ready to Start” scholarship was applied to accounts for students who registered for fall and had a balance on their account that the new fund could cover.

Over 70% of first-time, full-time students at GHC rely on financial aid in addition to the support of Institutional Scholarships from the GHC Foundation.

“GHC is an economic engine in our region, generating career-ready graduates who go on to make our communities even better,” President Hobbs said. “The investments we make in our students today who

are seeking to make a better life for themselves, their families, and their community will have exponential returns for our region and state.”

President Hobbs added that’s why he and the other members of the leadership team at GHC are officially the first to donate to this new scholarship through the GHC Foundation.

To help support scholarships at GHC and contribute to the new “Ready to Start” scholarship, please visit givetoday.highlands.edu. Under the designation, select “Area of Greatest Need.”

Dr. Lance Barry appointed to Foundation Board of Trustees

Dr. Lance Barry was appointed to the GHC Foundation Board of Trustees in January of 2023.

Dr. Barry is a retired podiatric physician and surgeon who practiced in Bartow and Paulding counties for 27 years. Following his military service, Dr. Barry earned his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University and his doctorate from the William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University at the University of Chicago.

He was an active member of the surgical staff at Cartersville Medical Center and Kennestone Hospital System. Lance has a history of community involvement, including having been a past board member

and president of the Bartow County United Way, board member of the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce, and past board member of American Legion post 42. He is currently a member of American Legion post 42, the Exchange Club, and the Elk’s Lodge.

In 1995, Lance was awarded Small Business Person of the Year by the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce. He was recognized in Georgia House Resolution 823 for his accomplishments in the healthcare provider arena.

Residing in Bartow County, Lance is passionate about committing his time and energy to enhance and expand enrollment and access opportunities that GHC provides to the students and communities as part of his overall goal of furthering community education and innovation in Georgia.

Your Gifts. Their Future.

FUND AN EDUCATION. FUND A DREAM. FUND A FUTURE.

The Georgia Highlands College Foundation has supported the college since 1973. The impact of our scholarships has helped fuel academic innovation as well as fill gaps in basic-need funding. The Foundation relies on the support of donors just like YOU!

HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Gifts of every size and type matter. Your gifts, especially when combined with gifts from other donors, change lives. Your support opens the doors of achievement and success for students by ensuring that financial barriers never slow academic inquiry, imagination, or the drive to achieve.

“I have received the GHC Foundation Sophomores Pursuing Graduation Scholarship, the GHC Foundation Juniors Pursuing Graduation Scholarship, and the Lesley J. Henderson Nursing Scholarship. These three scholarships helped decrease some of the burdens of paying for nursing school and helped me focus more of my attention on school instead of trying to scrounge for finances.”

JONATHAN KAVUMA

May 2023 Nursing Graduate

(Read more about Jonathan on pg. 3)

Partner with us today to boost your favorite department, help renew and reimagine our facilities, or build robust undesignated funds that allow the college to quickly meet challenges and embrace opportunities.

Together, we are focusing on the future! Thank you for your support.

IMPACT THE FUTURE WITH PLANNED GIVING

Planned giving will allow you to extend the impact of your gift while you accomplish your own personal, financial, estate planning, and philanthropic goals.

To learn more about how to provide for the future of Georgia Highlands College, contact Sarah Bradfield by phone at 706-204-2277 or by email at GHCFoundation@highlands.edu

D. Randy Quick, Chairman & Treasurer Rome Radio Partners, Inc.

Greg Patton, Past Chairman

Patton Financial Associates

Dr. Lance Barry

Dee Bishop

David Caswell

Melanie C. Collier

Dr. Gayland Cooper

J. Luke Lester

Mary Louise Lever

Steve Moore

Sally Platt

Sue Spivey

Tommy Strickland

Mark Weaver

Cindy Williams

Dr. Mike Hobbs, Ex-Officio GHC President

Jamie Petty, Ex-Officio

GHC Vice President

Finance & Administration

Office of Advancement

Sarah Bradfield

Liz Jones

GHC FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Charger Updates

u A new baseball and softball complex is nearing completion on the Cartersville site. The complex will include fields for baseball and softball, a 5,000 square foot hitting facility, restrooms, concession stands, and more. The fields are outfitted with TruHop, a turf designed especially for baseball and softball that provides durability and closely mimics natural grass.

u In 2022, the baseball team won the NJCAA Region 17 Tournament. For the second year in a row, the team finished the season with a GCAA Conference title.

The Chargers went 18-7 in GCAA and 45-11 during their campaign, and set a bevy of new standards for the program. The team took on the NJCAA Region 17 Tournament by storm, winning three straight to claim their second Region Championship under head coach Dash O’Neill.

u Jordan Thornton took on the role of Head Softball Coach in September 2022 after serving a couple of months as interim. . She was initially hired as assistant softball coach in January 2020.

Simmons named NJCAA and WBCA Player of the Year

Jashanti Simmons, recent guard for the Lady Chargers basketball team, has become one of the college’s most decorated student-athletes.

She graduated in summer 2022 with an associate degree in recreation management and then headed to Troy University to continue her education and play for the Troy Trojans.

Arriving at GHC from Eatonton and a graduate of Putnam County High School, Jashanti has been honored with being named the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Player of the Year and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Player of the Year – a first for GHC’s women’s basketball.

“What Jashanti accomplished here at GHC is really what the two-year college experience is all about,” Lady Chargers Head Basketball Coach Brandan Harrell said. “Jashanti came in as a quiet, underrecruited basketball player from Eatonton, and she left GHC as the most

decorated women’s basketball player in GHC’s short 10-year history.”

Her accomplishments also include being named a two-time NJCAA First Team All-American and a two-time WBCA All-American. Jashanti became GHC’s first 1,000-point scorer, including when the Lady Chargers played only 25 games in the 2020-2021 as compared to the 35 games typically played during a season. During her two years, the team went 53-7 overall and 29-1 in the GCAA. The Lady Chargers made two consecutive national tournament appearances with a NJCAA National Runner Up in 2022.

Jashanti said she had a great experience during her time as a GHC student and Lady Charger.

“I had a few ups and downs at some moments, but I managed to keep my head straight and focus,” Jashanti said. “If you needed help, all you needed to do was ask, and going to the Tutorial Center would help. too.”

At Troy University, Jashanti plans to continue playing while earning her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management.

“Attending GHC and playing basketball at GHC has prepared me as a better person not just on the court but also in the classroom and just in general,” Jashanti said.

O’Neill Thornton

Submitted photo

PUTTING ACADEMIC SUCCESS FIRST: NJCAA Academic All-Americans at GHC

In summer 2022, GHC saw 12 student-athletes named National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Academic All-Americans.

To be named an NJCAA Academic All-American, student-athletes must achieve an overall GPA of 3.60.

“Having these student-athletes honored by the NJCAA as Academic All-Americans is a great accomplishment for our athletic programs and says a lot about our staff’s commitment to academics,” Director of Athletics Brandan Harrell said. “It is a reflection of all the hard work that our student athletes put into academics throughout the entire year.”

Harrell said these students’ academic achievements were made in addition to the requirements faced by student-athletes, including game travel, doing homework on the road, practice, and working out.

“There is so much that our student athletes face during the course of the academic year, it would be easy for our student athletes to not make good grades,” Harrell said. “But they choose to make academics a priority.”

Harrell described academics as the “lifeblood” of GHC’s athletic program. He said almost all GHC student-athletes come to GHC, either as a freshman or a transfer, looking to transfer to a four-year university to continue their academic and athletic career.

In order to make that happen, Harrell said, not only do student-athletes have to perform on the court or field, they must also perform in the classroom.

“Student athletes must meet the transfer requirements of the universities that are recruiting them,” Harrell said. “Those universities know that GHC provides our student-athletes with a solid academic foundation.”

GHC student-athletes come from all over the country and all over the world, and Harrell said the athletic program strives to recruit student-athletes who are not only talented players, but also good people.

“There are so many great individual stories among our student-athletes,” Harrell said. “I can’t think of anything more rewarding than seeing these young men and women achieve their goals and to do great things.”

First Team Academic All-American

ShaoTung Lin, Women’s Basketball

Conner Todaro, Baseball

Haley Overton, Softball

Second Team Academic All-American

Max Luke, Baseball

Patrick Walker, Baseball

Third Team Academic All-American

Alexandra Shishkina, Women’s Basketball

Ben Olson, Baseball

Parker Poteet, Baseball

Hailey Cronic, Softball

Madison Dennis, Softball

Malone Aldridge, Softball

Jordan Brown, Men’s Basketball

Three baseball players named NJCAA All-Americans

Three baseball players – Conner Todaro, David Smith, and Ben Olson – were recognized as 2022 NJCAA Division I Baseball All-America team members.

To be an NJCAA All-American, players must have played at least 50 percent of the college’s total games at two or more positions, with at least 33 percent of the total games being played at one position. The nominee must have recorded a minimum of 50 innings pitched.

“First of all, it is unheard of to have three AllAmericans off of the same team, so for our student athletes to achieve that level of excellence is an incredible testament to their character and commitment to excellence,” Head Coach for Baseball Dash O’Neill said.

This honor is an example of how GHC is recog-

nized nationally as a leader in developing successful individuals who will make an impact on the world around them.

“This distinction also shows that at GHC, students like these young men can come to our school and completely change their trajectory in life,” O’Neill said.

O’Neill said all three of the All-American winners had previously been voted team captain by their teammates and showed dedication on and off the field and served as an inspiration to others.

“These young men were not just excellent on the field of play, they excelled in all areas of their lives and are true representatives of what it means to be an AllAmerican,” O’Neill said.

Todaro Smith Olson

Women’s Basketball

Georgia Highlands College women’s basketball is led by Athletics Director and Head Coach Brandan Harrell and Assistant Coaches Consuelo Saxton and Eric Burkhalter. The team competes in Region XVII of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association of the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 1. The team is based at the Floyd campus and plays all home games at the Floyd gymnasium in Rome. For more information visit ghcchargers.com.

Men’s Basketball

Georgia Highlands College men’s basketball is led by Head Coach J.J. Merritt and Associate Head Coach Greg Schiefen, and Assistant Coaches Joseph Brooks, AJ Farrar, and John Williams. The team competes in Region XVII of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association of the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 1. The team is based at the Floyd campus and plays all home games at the Floyd gymnasium in Rome. For more information visit ghcchargers.com.

Softball

Georgia Highlands College softball is led by Head Coach Jordan Thornton. The team competes in Region XVII of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association affiliated with the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 1. The team is based at the Cartersville site. For more information visit ghcchargers.com.

Baseball

Georgia Highlands College baseball is led by Head Coach Dash O’Neill, Assistant Coach Todd Cole, and Pitching Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Tucker Hughes. The team competes in Region XVII of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association of the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I. The team is based at the Cartersville site. For more information visit ghcchargers.com.