Highlander Magazine - Fall/Winter 2021

HIGHLANDER The official magazine of Georgia Highlands College

Fall/Winter 2021

In this Issue Introducing GHC’s Interim President Dana Nichols, Ph.D. 50 & Forward: GHC launches new strategic plan New bachelor’s degree in Building Information Modeling Management

Table of Contents

...in this issue 3

Office of the President

The Highlander is published twice a year by Georgia Highlands College 3175 Cedartown Highway Rome, GA 30161 • 706.802.5000 highlands.edu Editor and Designer Sheila Jones Senior Director of Marketing and Communications

6

50 and Forward

10

Campus News

25

Student Spotlight

Writers Nick Godfrey Director of Communications

26

Faculty Spotlight

Mark Andrews Development Communications Coordinator

28

Retiree Spotlight

30

Chargers Taking Charge

35

Charger News

39

Give Today

Photographer Jeff Brown Director of Digital Media Services

Georgia Highlands College Executive Leadership Team Dana Nichols, Ph.D. Interim President

KEEP UP WITH GEORGIA HIGHLANDS ON SOCIAL MEDIA /GeorgiaHighlandsCollege /GHCAthletics /gahighlands

@GaHighlands @GHC_Athletics

ALSO FIND US ON...

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 30 areas of study, as well as seven bachelor’s degrees. Over 15 areas of study are offered fully online.

ABOUT THE COVER: Dr. Dana Nichols was named GHC’s interim president in July 2021 after President Don Green’s departure.

Read the full story on pages 3-5 in this issue.

Sarah Coakley, Ph.D. Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer Jamie Petty Vice President for Finance and Administration Rob Laltrello Chief Information Officer Dana Itkow Chief Human Resource Officer Leslie Johnson Campus Dean - Cartersville site Ken Reaves Campus Dean - Marietta site

The University System of Georgia (USG) named Dana Nichols as interim president of Georgia Highlands College, effective July 7, 2021. Nichols was the college’s chief academic officer and provost.

She succeeded President Don Green, who accepted a new position as president of Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pa. Nichols served in her provost role since August 2018. Among other duties, she supervised the deans in each academic area which includes Health Sciences, STEM, Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, Business and Professional Studies, and Libraries and Testing, as well directors for the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Enrollment Management, and Student Support Services.

“Dr. Nichols’ experience and knowledge of Georgia Highlands College make her an excellent choice as the college continues to focus on student success and degree attainment for the communities it serves,” recently retired USG Chancellor Steve Wrigley said. “She understands

how important GHC’s mission is, and I’m grateful for her leadership.”

Nichols previously worked as vice president for academic affairs at Chattanooga State Community College. She began her academic career at Gainesville State College, serving first as a tutor in the Foreign Language and Writing Labs, and then as associate professor of both English and Spanish.

A native of northeast Georgia, Nichols has also served as assistant vice president and dean of Academic Affairs at Lanier Technical College. She earned a doctorate in English from Georgia State University, dual bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish from Mercer University, and two associate degrees from Gainesville College.

“I am so honored to assume the role of interim president at GHC,” Nichols said. “With the support of a great team of faculty and staff, we will not only continue GHC’s tradition of providing the type of student-centered, quality, and affordable education and training opportunities that we

GHC Interim President Dana Nichols Dr. Nichols welcomes guests to the Boots and BBQ celebration event in November.

See more on pages 28-29 in this issue.

are known for, but we will also expand our innovative curriculum and outreach efforts together with our partners in industry and K12 education.”

In her role as provost, Nichols has been focused on retention and graduation efforts at GHC with a strong commitment to student success strategies, creating new degree programs and certificates that complement local workforce needs, and pursuing strategic scheduling across GHC’s five locations.

FALL IN-SERVICE

GHC faculty and staff gathered at the Floyd campus in August 2021 to kick off fall semester and the new academic year.

highlands.edu | 3

Office of the President

Dr. Dana Nichols named interim president

Office of the President

A Fond Farewell Dr. Donald J. Green GHC’s fourth president 2014-2021 Dear GHC family, I write to offer my most sincere thanks for the last seven years. Together, we have heightened the public perception of our college, enriched the student experience, and enhanced the college’s facilities. All the while, you have maintained your compassion and commitment to each individual student, creating lifechanging service to provide future opportunity.

Seven years ago, Georgia Highlands was perceived as solely a transfer institution. That remains our primary mission and should be something in which we always take great pride. We provide an amazing affordable start for many students. But GHC has also become a provider of high-value, low-cost baccalaureate degrees leading to graduate school and great careers. As we continue to innovate curricula and provide student support, we will enhance the lives of our graduates while growing our reputation for relevant academic excellence.

As GHC endured the effects of a pandemic, we were quick to adopt new methods of service and instruction. The lessons you so adeptly employed will serve this college for years to come. As a multi-site college, you have cracked the code on effective service through our Virtual HUB. We have applied a variety of instructional technologies that will allow GHC to exchange low enrollment site-based course sections with efficient online options by combining students from across the region, allowing those students to complete their education in a timely manner.

We have changed the paradigm of student life from student entertainment to student engagement. Recent Zoom-based workshops have had participation five times that of traditional acts traveling from campus to campus and the content has been life-changing. I see a future where intramural sports may include team-based activities but will also embrace personal health and wellness, all the while allowing our exercise science and sport management students internship opportunities.

Underrepresented communities have thrived because of your outreach and support. Examples of our work include the growth of our Hispanic communi-

4 | Fall/Winter 2021

ties in our student ranks. Seven years ago, Hispanic students made up approximately 3% of our enrollment. Today, these students represent about 12% of our enrollment. Our Brother-to-Brother chapter was named national chapter of the year three times amongst 300 chapters nationally. Phi Theta Kappa has grown both in national stature and diversity! I am proud of the college we are and the communities we reflect. Our entire student population has improved in retention and completion.

Your innovation and tenacity have allowed Georgia Highlands to become more secure and steady. We have stood up a police force, implemented annual advertising campaigns, established a brand and strong social media presence, adapted sustainable business practices, championed an emphasis on environmental health, renovated older facilities and constructed new ones. We have leveraged a low-interest rate environment to bring greater fiscal health and pursued wellness campaigns to create greater physical and mental health.

I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve you. We are a community that has made great strides while never losing track of our primary objective: student success. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of Georgia Highlands College.

Sincerely, Don

EXCERPT AS SEEN IN THE ROME NEWS-TRIBUNE: A graduation rate that has jumped dramatically over the last five years is one of the things Don Green is proud of as he left Georgia Highlands College at the end of June.

During a virtual interview with Green and GHC [incoming] Interim President Dana Nichols, he said he is most proud of the college’s faculty and staff.

“These are people who would run through a brick wall to help a student,” Green said.

During his seven-year term as president, they kept an emphasis on growing the baccalaureate programs and keeping the acquisition of a college degree affordable.

The graduation rate at GHC has grown significantly over the last five years, he said.

In 2017, the number of graduates was up by 9%.

In 2018 that percentage increased by 10%, then by another 9% in 2019. It was up again, by 14%, in 2020. Green said that, when summer classes are over this year, the 2021 graduation rate should be up by

another 14% or more.

The rearrangement of the college from different divisions into different schools allowed the rapid development of new programs, Nichols said.

The college combined its business and professional studies schools, and the stand-alone math division program was moved into the school of science, engineering technology and mathematics.

A new entrepreneurship program within the school of business and a customizable bachelor’s program in health sciences is already seeing significant growth. [Also see story on page 13 about GHC’s newest bachelor’s degree in Building Information Modeling Management.]

Nichols stressed that growing the number of baccalaureate programs available at GHC is a major goal going forward, but a focus on the number of students who actually complete their degrees is the highest priority.

“Graduation is life changing and we know that,” Green said. “I’m very proud of our institution and I’m very proud of our people.”

SAYING GOODBYE –

A farewell reception was held for President Green at the Cartersville site in July 2021. Friends, GHC employees, USG colleagues, and community members came out to congratulate and bid farewell to Green. A commendation letter was presented by State Representatives Katie Dempsey and Matt Gambill.

highlands.edu | 5

Office of the President

Green extolls growth of graduation rate at GHC during farewell news conference

50

and Forward

FOR 50 YEAR When a college first makes its mark in history, it’s to say, “We are here.” And now, after 50 years of making history, that statement becomes, “We are here to stay.”

Across five decades, communities throughout northwest Georgia have looked to us as a provider of accessible, low-cost, high-quality college degree opportunities.

In the 70s, when our communities needed more qualified nursing graduates to meet the rising need, they looked to us.

In that same decade, when area teachers needed specialized training, like those professionals seeking careers in the nearby Georgia School for the Deaf; or when the community needed a regional police academy; and when there was a need to train the next generation of journalists through hands-on publication work with a direct connection to the Georgia Press Association – they looked to us.

In the 80s and 90s, when the University System of Georgia sought the first institution to adopt computer literacy and install computers throughout its college, they looked to us. When our community needed dental hygiene graduates; when areas and cities needing a stronger college presence requested a site closer to home; and when a growing need to provide online options for students working full time while taking care of their families continued to rise – they looked to us.

RS & BEYOND All through the 2000s, when expanded course and degree offerings for rapidly growing careers in our region were necessary, they looked to us.

For 50 years, GHC has been a community that takes charge and helps others take charge too. We have NOT simply been on the sidelines of history; instead we were making history – making our community better and stronger – meeting the needs of the students we serve.

For 50 years, our communities have looked to us. And they look to us now.

From our 50-year foundation, we now charge forward. We charge forward by building upon who we are and by remembering who we are in every action that we take next.

As we have always done, we will answer the call across northwest Georgia for more graduates of innovative curriculum designed around rising careers in areas like logistics and supply chain management, criminal justice, building information modeling, healthcare management, financial technology, and so much more.

We will continue to make college career programs affordable and accessible to the communities we serve. And those programs will be carefully crafted to instill the highest levels of academic excellence in each of our graduates.

At the forefront of our decision-making will remain the inclusion of diverse backgrounds, talents, and perspectives through the everfocused engagement among everyone in the GHC community.

We will work together with our students, our alumni, our employees, and our communities to ensure Georgia Highlands College is a place for all students to excel.

And at the center of all we do – and all we are – and all we have always been – is the heart of Georgia Highlands College, the heart of the past 50 years and the future, the heart of our 50 years and forward: We care.

And for the next 50 years and beyond, that will never change.

It is who we are. And we are here to stay.

Our Shared Values ACCESS We provide access to high quality, affordable educational opportunities within the diverse communities we serve. Through intellectual, cultural, physical, and social developmental opportunities, we facilitate the growth and wellness of our students, employees, and our communities.

CARING We demonstrate personal and professional caring for all students and employees. Through our shared values, we seek to ensure that students and employees know that we are invested in their well-being, growth, and success.

INCLUSIVITY We recognize the contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and talents and work toward inclusivity by creating a culture where diverse perspectives are authentically acknowledged and where those perspectives influence decision-making.

ENGAGEMENT We foster engagement for and between students, employees, alumni, and our communities. We encourage positive, meaningful interactions and relationships between individuals, groups, and organizations which lead to intellectual, cultural, physical, and social development.

EXCELLENCE We champion excellence for and by each student, employee, and our communities. Through intellectual, cultural, physical, and social development, we strive to perform and achieve at the highest levels possible in all that we do by operating with the highest standards of academic achievement, personal ethics, and organizational stewardship.

NEW STRATEGIC PLAN WILL GUIDE GHC INTO THE NEXT 50 YEARS The process of developing the new strategic plan for GHC began in November 2018, when President Green and Dean of Planning, Assessment, Accreditation, and Research (PAAR) Jesse Bishop convened and charged the Strategic Planning Council (SPC). The group began the work by reviewing the existing plan, discussing the institutional mission, goals, and values, and considering two important questions: Who are we now? Where do we go next?

Guided by the Dean of PAAR through the next three months, the SPC worked through initial rounds of SWOT analyses, giving insights into the state of the institution.

Through a long, deliberative, and inclusive process of surveys, focus groups, workshops, and forums, five values were identified: Access, Caring, Inclusivity, Engagement, and Excellence.

This plan is the culmination of months and months of work, analyzing nearly every facet of

the institution before and through the midst of the pandemic. It is the result of shared governance operating as intended, giving everyone at the institution a clear voice.

While there is no way to build a plan that represents every singular voice, the plan comes directly from a strong consensus of stakeholders who wish to see the institution succeed.

Students, faculty, and staff have given their time and ideas to build our shared future. For that we are grateful and humbled that so many engaged in this process over time and worked to map out GHC’s next several years. With 50 years as a foundation, we charge forward with a renewed sense of our core values, a more important commitment to the services and opportunities we provide, and a clear vision for success in the future. For a full version of the plan, visit strategicplan.highlands.edu.

Dr. Nichols unveils the new strategic plan at Fall In-Service.

Accessibility Matters The courses at GHC are created with accessibility in mind through preemptive design by ongoing training and resources for faculty. The goal? Create a successful college experience for all students.

Disability access in course design at GHC is one of many ways the college exemplifies our shared value of access.

GHC’s strategic plan highlights access – the ability for students to maintain greater agency over their academic pursuits through expanded resources as well as through equity practices – as a one of its shared values. Other shared values include caring, inclusivity, engagement, and excellence.

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) at GHC helps in this initiative by providing professional development for faculty and staff on making digital content for courses and other student-facing departments of the college accessible to students with disabilities.

8 | Fall/Winter 2021

The CETL provides faculty training for building a course from the ground up with accessibility being a key element.

Each semester the CETL offers three accessibility professional development labs on increasing the accessibility of documents, media, and content presented in GHC’s online learning management system, D2L. These labs focus on expanding access to the educational opportunities GHC provides by equipping faculty to make their course’s digital components accessible to all students, particularly for students with disabilities. This includes formatting access for colorblind, deaf, or hard-of-hearing students and for ease of navigability by assistive technologies such as screen readers for students who are blind or have low vision.

“Courses that are accessible from their inception are better for all students and faculty, not only those with disabili-

ties,” Instructional Designer for CETL Rachel Rupprecht said. “Faculty benefit by saving time, since it is less timeconsuming to make materials accessible while creating them than it is to remediate them later, and by creating teaching materials which better serve their students.”

For students with disabilities, this means the ability to complete assignments and engage with their classmates and instructor without having to ask for assistance. In addition, the implementation of practices such as closed captioning of lectures expands accessibility for all students by providing an additional method to receive instruction.

The CETL’s mission includes the creation of high-impact faculty development opportunities to equip GHC’s faculty to fulfill our mission. Accessibility is central to that mission because it is a key component of access.

GHC STRATEGIC PRIORITIES 2021-2026 Priority 1: Access & Opportunity A. Enhance and re-energize the Strategic Enrollment Management Plan to provide more opportunities and access to high-quality higher education in our region and sector B. Renew our focus on high-quality customer service experiences for all students C. Expand affordability initiatives for students D. Expand institutionally supported professional development for all employees E. Develop and implement an inclusive recruiting and hiring initiative F. Continue to support innovative approaches to cybersecurity that deny access and opportunity to protected data and systems G. Ensure campus facilities support safe and secure experiences for all

Priority 2: Inclusivity & Engagement A. B. C. D. E. F. G.

Create an inclusivity campaign designed to promote social-belonging for all students Expand co-curricular student engagement programming Enhance internship programming Strengthen campus mental health initiatives to support students, faculty, and staff Expand inclusion, equity, and diversity efforts on campus Develop and sustain alumni engagement initiative Develop and sustain community engagement plans across units

Priority 3: Student Success A. B. C. D.

Continue to develop and support high-quality, innovative academic curricula and modalities Expand high-quality advising to all students Support high-impact teaching & learning practices in the classroom and beyond Leverage existing and innovative technology solutions to support on-campus and online learning across the institution E. Reinforce graduation messaging across all departments F. Re-envision career services G. Implement a growth mindset campaign for students, faculty, and staff

Priority 4: Efficiency & Effectiveness A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H.

Expand data informed decision making across the institution Support student affordability through innovative services and processes Reinforce a culture of excellence through accountability, recognition, and celebration Strengthen the integrated planning model to ensure quality assessment and alignment of strategic priorities and activities Identify new revenue sources that supplement the student experience Continue to build a more resilient and effective institution Maintain safe and secure experiences on campus and in virtual environments Support employee career progression and institutional succession planning

strategicplan.highlands.edu

50

and Forward

GEORGIA HIGHLANDS COLLEGE

Campus News

The Aspen Institute names GHC one of 150 U.S. community colleges eligible for 2023 Aspen Prize $1 million prize recognizes excellence in equitable outcomes for students in and after college GHC was the only institution in the University System of Georgia to be named by the Aspen Institute as one of the 150 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

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.

GHC will join the other selected 149 colleges to submit data and narratives as the next steps in an intensive data and practice review process, culminating in the announcement of the Prize winner in spring 2023.

The Aspen Prize spotlights exemplary community 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 lowincome backgrounds.

“In an era of persistent inequity and workforce talent gaps, our nation’s best community colleges are stepping up to deliver more degrees to increasingly diverse students so they are prepared for the good jobs waiting to be filled,” said Josh Wyner, executive

10 | Fall/Winter 2021

director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “Leaders of exceptional community colleges understand that achieving excellence requires expanding college access and increasing degree completion, but it doesn’t stop there. They are committed to ensuring that all students—including those of color and from low-income backgrounds—graduate with the skills needed to secure a job with family-sustaining wages or successfully transfer to and graduate from a university. That same commitment that stands at the center of the Aspen Prize: to advance the goals of social mobility and equitable talent development.”

The eligible colleges represent the diversity and depth of the community college sector. Located in urban, rural, and suburban areas across 34 states, these colleges serve as few as 230 students and as many as 57,000. Winning colleges have ranged from smaller institutions serving rural community and smaller towns—including Lake Area Technical Institute (SD, 2017 Prize winner) and Walla Walla Community College (WA, 2013)—to large community colleges serving major metropolitan areas, including Miami Dade College (FL, 2019), and San Antonio College (TX, 2021).

The four other previous winners are Indian River State College (FL, 2019); Santa Fe College (FL, 2015); Santa Barbara City College (CA, 2013); and Valencia College (FL, 2011).

In this first round, eligibility for the Aspen Prize is based on publicly available data. Eligible colleges ASPEN INSTITUTE – continued on page 25

In a report showing that the University System of Georgia (USG) state economic impact grew to $18.6 billion, GHC holds the second highest economic impact among state colleges in Georgia for fiscal year 2020.

GHC’s economic impact was over $170 million and was part of the system directly and indirectly generating 155,010 jobs in the state.

The annual study is conducted on behalf of the Board of Regents by Jeffrey M. Humphreys, Ph.D., director of the Selig Center for Economic Growth in the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.

According to the report, every dollar spent directly by USG institutions and their students generated an additional 47 cents for the surrounding region’s economy. While $12.7 billion of the $18.6 billion was a result of that direct spending, the remaining $5.9 billion was additional spending within local communities sparked by the presence of a USG institution.

With an uptick in direct spending for FY2020, the report found, “In sum, USG institutions were a vital source of economic stability.”

The Selig Center also conducted a companion study led by Humphreys and Alexandra P. Hill titled, “Lifetime Earnings for University System of Georgia Class of 2020.” The lifetime earnings report showed how work-life earnings increase substantially with each step up in earned degree.

USG’s 2020 graduates who work in Georgia are expected to bring in a combined $175 billion in lifetime earnings, of which $59 billion (34 percent) can be attributed to their degrees.

“With strong support from the state and significant planning from our campuses, USG’s economic impact on local communities across Georgia held steady despite a challenging year,” Acting Chancellor Teresa MacCartney said. “At the same time, a degree from a USG institution continues to add real value to the lives of our graduates and their families. We remain focused on doing everything in our power to help more Georgians complete college and ensure our state has a well-prepared, highly skilled workforce to grow Georgia’s economy.”

The full economic impact report and the lifetime earnings report are available online.

Lockett named Assistant Vice President of Academic Resources and Retention GHC named Michelle Lockett as Assistant Vice President of Academic Resources and Retention.

Lockett will supervise the Student Support Services Center, Academic Tutoring Center, Grants Administration, Office of the Registrar, and the Center of Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

Lockett has extensive experience in higher education, both in the public and private sectors. Prior to GHC, Lockett served as Academic Dean at the Fairburn and Stone Mountain campuses of Georgia Military College and she has worked in academic institutions for over 14 years with a proven track record of student achievement and retention.

Lockett said she appreciates the “all-hands on” approach to campus processes and initiatives at GHC and plans to contribute to the continued success of the college.

“Every student matters, and it is our goal to connect each student to the support services they need to enhance, empower, and aid them in this learning environment,” Lockett said. “I would like to impact GHC through increased student outreach activities, tutoring, and career services initiatives and help to make GHC a household name through increased partnerships in area communities.”

For Lockett, an area of expertise she plans to bring to GHC is fostering dual enrollment partnerships with surrounding school districts.

Lockett holds a Master of Science in Human Resources Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies. She is currently in the dissertation stage of earning her Doctor of Business Administration in Leadership.

In her spare time, she likes to read, watch Animal Planet, reflect, and teach management courses.

highlands.edu | 11

Campus News

GHC holds second highest economic impact among state colleges in Georgia

Campus News

Collaboration leads to newly approved bachelor’s degree focused on rising careers in engineering and construction Students at GHC will now have access to an affordable bachelor’s degree in Building Information Modeling Management (BIMM) starting spring 2022 after receiving final approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The recently approved bachelor’s degree was designed in collaboration with engineering and construction industry leaders.

GHC worked with a construction technology firm, Trimble, to design curriculum for the program.

Additionally, Trimble donated Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) software and technology for use with the GHC program.

Through another partnership with SDS2, a software design company focused on construction modeling, architecture, engineering, and construction software and technology have been donated for a new learning lab. The lab features cutting-edge technology for modeling 3D steel detailing.

“Building information modeling is our most current and most advanced design, construction, and facility management approach. It brings information and technology together to produce a digital representation of a project which integrates and quickly

12 | Fall/Winter 2021

examines data from several sources,” Instructor of BIM Management Maria Holt said. “Today, BIM practices are critical because they facilitate the involvement of an entire project team, enabling the team to coordinate all information in clear and accessible ways. BIM’s comprehensive data integration capabilities allow a project to evolve parallel with the physical project across its duration. Technologies that enable this practice give users a solid framework to improve communication and data exchange across the industries involved.”

BIM is the technology-driven process for estimating, creating, and managing information and visuals on a construction project. A building information model represents a 3D version of every aspect of the project, from facade to foundation to structural steel.

As a part of the collaboration with industry leaders, GHC will offer training on various software platforms at no additional cost to the students through its learning lab. Graduates will also complete their degree with several sought-after industry certificates such as the SDS2 Estimator Certification which teaches model-based estimating for realistic cost expectations.

A ribbon cutting for the new learning lab was held in late June, and the name of the lab was

BIMM – continued on page 13

Campus News Ribbon cutting held for new Building Information Modeling Management learning lab GHC partnered with SDS2 (A Nemetschek Company) for the opening of a learning lab for students in the new bachelor’s in Building Information Modeling Management (BIMM). (See story on page 12).

GHC’s partnerships with local industry leaders in the field led to an affordable degree pathway to a fastgrowing sector with highpaying careers.

The partnership with SDS2 gives students access to a learning lab at GHC’s Cartersville site with some of the leading software for 3D steel detailing software with intelligent connection design. SDS2 gener-

ously donated the software and technology utilized in this learning lab.

At the ribbon cutting held in late June, the name of the lab was unveiled as the “SDS2 Learning Lab” in honor of the company’s generous contribution to GHC and its students.

The new bachelor’s program went before the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for certification and was approved in late November.

The program came online in January 2022. The program is one of just two of its kind in the nation with the other at Purdue University.

BIMM – continued from page 12

unveiled as the “SDS2 Learning Lab” in honor of the company’s generous contribution. (See story above).

“Our BIM management program at GHC is paramount in providing students with the foundation to succeed in their professions in the architectural, engineering, fabrication, and overall construction sectors,” Holt said. “Because BIM implementation requires a constant shift toward new tools and software change, those looking for a career in this industry will help set the ground for contributing to the implementation of evolving construction techniques and innovations among the different roles within a project team.”

GHC’s new bachelor’s degree has been featured

by Construction Dive, a leading industry publication, and the ConTech Crew podcast for its fresh approach to rising careers.

Additionally, Forbes noted that GHC is helping to “solve the construction labor shortage through ingenuity.”

“Because BIM is the world’s most advanced approach to the construction process, a career in BIM opens doors for a variety of opportunities in different ramifications of the construction industry, such as steel detailing, BIM /VDC management, and estimating, among many others,” Holt said.

highlands.edu | 13

Campus News

2021 commencement returned to a tradition dating back to the founding of the college Georgia Highlands College (originally Floyd Junior College) had a single graduate at the end of its founding year in 1970.

The first commencement ceremony was in 1971 with GHC’s first president, David McCorkle, and the dean, Wesley Walraven, presiding over the small event in the president’s office on the Floyd campus.

As a special return to the tradition of on-campus commencements, GHC hosted its 2021 graduation ceremony at the Floyd campus on Thursday, May 13.

Three separate ceremonies took place throughout the day. Ceremonies began at 10AM and 6PM, with the nursing pinning/commencement ceremony beginning at 3PM. Regent T. Dallas Smith brought greetings from the USG Board of Regents and gave the commence-

ment address during the 6PM ceremony.

T. Dallas Smith is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer at T. Dallas Smith & Company. He leads all new business development initiatives. His role includes overseeing all brokerage affairs related to the company and providing chief liaison ser-

vices to key clients.

Dallas, a Georgia State University alumnus, is Chair of the Real Estate Committee at his alma mater. He also serves on the boards of the Council for Quality Growth and Atlanta Commercial Board of REALTORS. He has been awarded numerous honors including Atlanta’s Most Admired CEO in 2017, Atlanta Commercial Board of REALTORS’ Realtor of the Year in 2018, and Empire Board of Realists Broker of the Year in 2018.

Class of 2020 celebrated with special event GHC’s class of 2020 endured the effects of a pandemic as they successfully navigated a path to graduation. To further emphasize their success and to finally hold an in-person event after their virtual 2020 graduation, GHC held a special celebration on the Cartersville site.

The event, which included cap and gown photos, a selfie station, and refreshments, allowed graduates like Joseph Cheriyampurathu, of Rome, Cheriyampurathu to catch up with some familiar faces.

“Although I graduated, I wanted to come out and see how my former classmates are doing,” Cheriyampurathu said.

Attending classes at GHC’s Floyd campus, Cheriyampurathu graduated from GHC with a

14 | Fall/Winter 2021

Bachelor of Business Administration in Healthcare Management. In December 2020, he began working as the Region 1 Transportation Specialist for Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS).

Relocating to the U.S. from India in 2011, Cheriyampurathu said his classes at GHC, along with engagement with his classmates, helped prepare him for his role at DHS. For Emily Van Kleef, of Rome, the Class of 2020 Celebration was an opportunity for her and her family to not only celebrate her accomplishment of earning an Associate Degree in Psychology, but also her high school graduation, which was held last year in a drive-through format. As the 2020 valedictorian of Coosa High School, Van Kleef participated in the Dual Enrollment program, allowing her to graduate from high school while also earning a degree from GHC. “2020 was interesting, but the college made it very easy to transfer any of my on-site classes to online classes,” Van Kleef said.

Van Kleef is currently enrolled at Kennesaw State University and is pursuing a double major in Psychology and Criminal Justice.

GHC has been ranked No. 1 by University HQ as the “Best Affordable College” to earn your degree in Healthcare Administration.

GHC’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Healthcare Management offers students the foundational knowledge and practical skills that are essential for a demanding and rapidly changing healthcare industry.

“The faculty in GHC’s Healthcare Management program have extensive career experience within the industry which gives them a unique perspective when teaching the material,” Assistant Professor of Healthcare Management Jay Pickern said. “Our students are presented with a number of real-world application assignments that allow them to put theory into practice.”

GHC students take on experiential learning trips to places like local hospitals, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Museum, the Georgia Supreme Court, and more as a way of exposing them to a variety of career options within the field.

Students also complete a required internship at the end of the program, which gives them experience in the field as they prepare to begin their individual job searches.

Locally, there is great demand for a degree in healthcare management as Rome and the sur-

rounding areas are considered a healthcare hub in Northwest Georgia. The relative proximity to Atlanta also creates an opportunity for graduates to find a variety of healthcare environments such as hospitals, clinics, and corporate entities within the healthcare field.

Healthcare managers, also called healthcare executives or healthcare administrators, are at the heart of the business behind the healthcare field as these experts are in charge of planning, directing and coordinating medical and health services in clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, doctors’ offices, and more.

“GHC’s Healthcare Management program is a great place for students who have an interest in healthcare but are not necessarily interested in hands-on patient care,” Pickern said. “Our program is also a great fit for students who might already be in a clinical career but have an interest in moving into a management role within their current departments or organizations.”

University HQ serves as a source for independent news and comprehensive information about career paths, requirements, universities, scholarships, and new programs. The organization also ranked GHC as No. 22 in the country for the Best Affordable RN-to-BSN degree.

Campus News

Healthcare program ranked as ‘best affordable’ degree in the country

GHC RECEIVES NATIONAL ACCOLADES FOR QUALITY AND VALUE Known for its value, variety of programs, and class options, GHC has recently been recognized by several national publications including Intelligent.com for having one of the “Best RN to BSN Programs for 2021.”

According to Intelligent.com, the 2021 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment, and leading third-party evaluations. The website analyzed 162 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 50 making it to the final list.

Another website, nursingschoolhub.com, named GHC’s Associate of Science in Nursing program “one of the most affordable in the country.”

In addition, Value Colleges ranked GHC in its listing of “Top 10 Online Associate in Political Science.”

“If you’re an adult with a family and a job, or if online learning is simply more accessible to you than classroombased learning, then an online political science degree can help you reach your goals while providing the flexibility that you need,” the Value Colleges editors said in a press release.

In terms of overall price and value, Best Value Schools named GHC one of the “most affordable colleges in Georgia.”

PremiumSchools.org listed GHC as the “best online community college in Georgia.”

“We looked at every community college in the nation that offers some online degrees,” Malcolm Peralty, chief editor of Premium Schools, said. “We then sectioned them by state and compared graduation rates, as well as the average cost of attendance after financial aid was applied.”

University Headquarters (HQ) ranked GHC No. 8 in the nation for the “Best Affordable Supply Chain Management degree.” Georgia Highlands College offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management.

According to its website, “University Headquarters has a highly specific and proprietary ranking system to determine the best, most affordable supply chain management degrees. … While the cost of a supply chain management degree is important, the University HQ team looks beyond the price tag.”

highlands.edu | 15

Campus News

State Legislative and Board of Regents Officials meet at GHC for Gratitude Event GHC hosted a “Gratitude Event” with state legislators and members of the USG Board of Regents in October. The event highlighted appreciation for the continued support of higher education in the state and the continued support GHC has received in helping students graduate with career-focused college degrees throughout northwest Georgia with little to no debt upon completion.

State higher education chairmen Senator Lindsey Tippins and Representative Chuck Martin were in attendance as well as Representative Matthew Gambill and Representative Mitchell Scoggins.

Although unable to attend the event in person, Senator Bruce Thompson, Senator Chuck Hufstetler, and Representative Katie Dempsey sent their support.

Also in attendance were members of the Board of Regents, Chairman Sachin Shailendra and Regent Lowery May, as well as the University System of Georgia’s Acting Chancellor Teresa MacCartney.

After a brief meet-and-greet, the group toured GHC’s STEAM building at the Cartersville site,

16 | Fall/Winter 2021

which was led by GHC Student Government Association President Matthew Perry.

Classes started in the STEAM building in January 2019. Thanks to state funding under the fiscal year 2017 budget, the addition of this building increased GHC’s ability to directly impact and support the community workforce through STEAMbased degrees (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) adding to GHC’s nearly $170 million economic impact.

In speaking about the building, GHC’s Interim President Dana Nichols said, “I think what’s most important is what happens inside.”

“Every single day, the students inside buildings like this one are working toward completing a college degree with us,” she said. “Many are the first in their family to ever set foot on a college campus.

Many work full-time jobs and have families to take care of. Many are right out of high school with career goals that will ultimately help our communities thrive.”

The tour of the STEAM building concluded in the learning lab designed for GHC’s newest bachelor’s degree for Building Information Modeling Management beginning spring semester 2022. The lab features the latest technology in the BIM field which was contributed by GHC’s industry partner, SDS2. (See BIMM story on page 12.)

Addressing the officials, Nichols said, “Bringing a career-focused college degree that can be obtained with little to no debt upon completion to students throughout northwest Georgia who attend Georgia Highlands College would not be possible without your tireless support,” Nichols said.

Every single dental hygiene student who graduated from GHC in 2021 completed their graduation requirements and passed both the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE) and the Central Regional Dental Testing Services (CRDTS) clinical board examination.

Dental hygiene licensure in Georgia requires that graduates from an accredited dental hygiene program pass both board examinations.

The exams assess the candidate’s competency and ability to understand important information from basic biomedical and dental sciences and the ability to apply such information in a problem-solving context.

Dental Hygiene Program Director Regina Gupta said the goal of the program is to prepare Dental Hygiene students to be excellent clinicians and pass both board examinations on the first attempt.

The Dental Hygiene program also runs a mockCRDTS exam every spring to help prepare students for the clinical board exam.

“In the history of the program, we have only had two students who did not pass the NBDHE on the first attempt,” Gupta said. “In my opinion, this level of success reflects highly on our program, the curriculum, the faculty, and the caliber of our GHC

students.”

A survey of recent GHC dental hygiene graduates revealed that all students who had completed licensure are currently employed. Some work full time, and others work part time while completing GHC’s online Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene.

These GHC graduates and the rest of GHC’s graduating class of 2021 join a record-breaking number of overall degrees awarded throughout the University System of Georgia for fiscal year 2021.

The increase in degrees awarded sets another record for the most degrees awarded in the system’s 90-year history.

Articulation agreement guarantees admission from GHC to UGA in Microbiology Thanks to an exclusive articulation agreement between GHC and the University of Georgia (UGA), GHC students who complete their associate degree in biology while taking specific courses in the biology pathway will be admitted into UGA’s Bachelor of Science in Microbiology program on their Griffin Campus, easing the transition toward obtaining a higher-level degree.

“As most know, UGA has a very competitive admissions process, and this agreement gives students an alternative to admission into UGA,” said Interim Dean for GHC’s School of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Jason Christian.

This program is ideal for students interested in working in the growing fields around microbiology, immunology, industrial hygiene, or public health.

It also would allow a student to apply to medical school, veterinary school, physician assistant programs, or a whole variety of graduate schools.

The articulation agreement was effective beginning fall semester 2021.

The University of Georgia’s Griffin location allows students to obtain a UGA degree without relocating to the Athens area. Whether a student desires to stay closer to home and commute to Griffin or relocate to be near the south metro area, the UGA Griffin Campus affords those options to individuals desiring to earn a UGA degree.

Students looking to complete a bachelor’s degree on the Griffin Campus must have completed at least 60 transferable semester hours with a transfer GPA of at least 2.8 as calculated by UGA Undergraduate Admissions as well as any prerequisite courses specific to the degree program in which they wish to enroll. GHC’s Associate of Science in Biology is a perfect start for students who want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology on the UGA Griffin Campus.

highlands.edu | 17

Campus News

100% of dental hygiene students pass national board exams

Campus News

New Media Innovation Center houses film, student publications, writing center, and more GHC recently opened the college’s new Media Innovation Center – “the MIC” – on the Floyd campus. The new area houses space for the student newspaper, Six Mile Post (SMP), the newspaper’s Student Spin Podcast, Old Red Kimono (ORK) literary magazine, and the Writing Center. The MIC also has a studio for GHC’s Film programs.

The MIC opened this fall in in the David B. McCorkle building.

All students will have access to the MIC and can schedule a time to use industry-standard technology and software to assist in the completion of classroom and personal projects.

“We want to help students facilitate whatever idea or project they are working on related to media,” Interim Dean of Humanities Jessica Lindberg said.

SIX MILE POST AND OLD RED KIMONO As the SMP has grown in terms of how it connects to students – online, print, and through the Student Spin podcast – a revamped space was essential.

“This new space is very open, modern, and technologically updated,” SMP Faculty Advisor Allison Hattaway said. “I hope that the new office layout will help students feel more comfortable so that they really feel like this is their space.”

The MIC will place student staffers for the SMP and ORK front and center thanks to the office’s layout, which includes large panel windows. Hattaway said this increased visibility will help attract GHC students to become involved as both readers and contributors to student news publications.

The new space also will allow for community engagement, providing a central location to observe

18 | Fall/Winter 2021

the operations of the SMP, Student Spin, and ORK, which could lead to greater networking opportunities for students.

“We’d eventually like to have guest speakers and representatives from local media outlets to observe students working in this new collective space,” Hattaway said.

FILM Although GHC’s Film program just launched in the fall of 2020, students are already working on internships, including the production of professional films, one that included scenes filmed on the Floyd campus in summer 2021.

Through the MIC and its Film studio, School of Humanities Division Chair Seth Ingram said the college will be able to attract more film productions to the Northwest Georgia region creating more opportunities for students to get hands-on experience.

Offering pathways in both Film Production and Film Studies, students can get hands-on experience working with industry tools and equipment. In addition, students from all programs of study will be able to arrange access to this equipment for their academic, professional, and personal pursuits.

“The goal is to have the MIC serve as an allinclusive resource for our students, but will also be home to the Film program,” Ingram said.

WRITING CENTER & COLLABORATION One mission of the MIC is to provide crosscurricular assistance to students. As the new home to GHC’s Writing Center, students will have access to additional help in becoming more effective communicators.

MIC – continued on page 19

Students from across all of GHC’s sites came together recently for the “Charge Into Leadership Conference” at GHC. The day-long event featured guest speakers like the motivational speaker Quentin Lee. Lee, who is the principal of Childersburg High School in Talladega, Ala., kicked off the event by presenting his viral parody music video he created for his students to raise awareness on the importance of staying safe amid the COVID pandemic. The video has over 6 million views on YouTube and was featured on Good Morning America for helping represent the impact of positive leadership practices.

Central to Lee’s presentation, however, was how the influence of others and their leadership helped shape the person he is today.

“You can either have a growth mindset or a fixed mindset. So, I challenge you, what are you thinking? If you think you can’t do it, then it cannot be done,” Lee said. “But if you think you can do it, you will work hard with everything that is in you to make sure it is done.”

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

Session topics included discussions of social media, time utility and work-life balance, and how developing and applying different leadership styles can cultivate positive results in others and in oneself.

Student Astrid Cuellar-Benitez, who attends classes online, said the entrepreneurship speaker panel stood out to her as providing valuable “nuggets of information,” as well as the Time Utility and Work-Life Balance workshop presented by Joy Hambrick.

Cuellar-Benitez said she enjoyed the “one-on-one”

aspect of the breakout sessions. She cited Assistant Professor of Business Administration and Economics Oris Guialleame’s session called “Motivational Leadership: The Power of Now” as especially impactful.

“His story of being an immigrant and following his dreams – that was truly inspirational to me,” CuellarBenitez said. “We would ask him a couple of questions, and he really engaged with us through his answers and would also ask the group thought-provoking questions.”

Assistant Professor of Business Administration Shanika Wright-Turner and Coordinator for Cocurricular and Transitions Programs Clifton Puckett co-facilitated the event. Puckett said the event was a success with positive feedback from students, faculty, and guests.

“This conference promotes our mission of developing skills in our students that they can take with them as they take their next step in life, whether it be transferring, graduating, or maybe even starting their own careers or businesses,” Puckett said.

MIC – continued from page 18

“A lot of times students may think ‘I’m not a strong writer, so I don’t have a place on a newspaper staff,’ or ‘I’m shy, so I don’t have a place on a podcast program,’” Hattaway said. “We want all students to have a place at the MIC.” For example, students without a background in writing or who feel uncomfortable having a publicfacing role could help to develop an outline for a program to air, recruit interview subjects for a podcast, or gain professional experience working with others on one of GHC’s student productions.

“Some students might not realize there are so many opportunities to apply transferrable skills, and the MIC is a great place to start,” Hattaway said.

Led by English Instructor Shannan Harrington, the Writing Center will help students to better approach writing assignments by guiding them in the areas of brainstorming, outlining, research, revision, and grammar.

“From beginning support in English to helping graduates with their cover letters and resumes, the Writing Center will help students with whatever they need in terms of writing support,” Harrington said.

Allison Hattaway said housing these student publications alongside the Writing Center and Film program will help give all students a chance to branch out and explore new opportunities on campus to grow as students and as individuals.

highlands.edu | 19

Campus News

‘Charge Into Leadership’ connects community leaders with students

Campus News

Renovated Winn Building at Paulding site increases opportunities for students

GHC officially cut the ribbon for the newly renovated Winn Building at the Paulding site during fall semester. The project has transformed the facility into a modern academic building, expanding degree and program offerings in the area.

“This project was made possible with a total of $4.1 million in state funding, and for that, we owe special thanks to our legislators for all they do to support Georgia Highlands College, the University System of Georgia, and education in the state,” Interim President Dana Nichols 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,

20 | Fall/Winter 2021

study rooms, a faculty suite, and a beautiful patio area.

Nichols stated the completed renovation will directly impact increasing graduation and retention rates locally in the Paulding area by giving students the opportunity to earn a college degree without leaving Dallas.

“We look forward to bringing so much more to our students, and we thank everyone involved in this project from conception to construction to ultimately one of the most important parts – which is the education that takes place inside,” Nichols added.

Georgia Highlands College received the $4.1 million to renovate its Winn Building in Dallas near the current Paulding instructional site under the fiscal year 2019 state budget.

Concepts like the application and integration of different motivating and reflective learning strategies, the creation of asynchronous interactive modules for the library, and metacognition and advanced online engagement strategies for students may, at first, seem difficult to understand – but, at the end of the day, faculty examining courses at GHC have a singular goal in mind: make the student experience in GHC courses better.

The process for enhancing and redesigning courses to meet this goal has been a long and well-researched endeavor. Instructors participating in GHC’s Faculty Learning Committee (FLC) started looking for ways to increase student motivation and facilitate development of a “growth mindset.”

Two dozen faculty presented their ideas to administration and peers during the college’s first “Best Practices in Teaching Symposium.”

Running the gamut of course offerings, presenters shared unique ideas to make courses more productive, thought provoking, and effective for students and faculty alike. “[The faculty] at GHC have been working on revising one or more of their courses based on what they have learned about motivation, mindset, and/or metacognition during the Faculty Learning Committee,” School of STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) Division Chair Jayme Wheeler said. “The FLC has included reading ‘Teaching Students How to Learn’ by Dr. Saundra McGuire and attending two live presentations by Dr. McGuire.”

Soon after, FLC participants conducted course audits on the course they wished to redesign. They collected the course and/or module learning objectives;

examined the assessments for alignment, authenticity, and meaningfulness; as well as determined if their learning activities were aligned, engaging, and motivating. Then, they used those results to help establish the direction of their course redesign.

“Some faculty have begun to make changes in their course(s) this semester,” Wheeler said. “For instance, one instructor implemented changes learned during the FLC in her second eight-week course that began in March. Many of the participants are planning for change that will occur in courses beginning either in the summer or fall semesters.”

Josie Baudier, who serves as director for the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, said the event was beneficial because participants learned how their colleagues were implementing these strategies into their courses.

“The hope is that our faculty will be invigorated to learn more about these strategies and others, and will be able to reflect on how these strategies can be incorporated into their classes,” Baudier said.

GHC wins East-West Innovation Bowl Five GHC students representing three teams and three different business ideas scored enough overall points to win the first East-West Innovation Bowl against Sierra Nevada University (SNU) in spring semester 2021.

Lance Philp, of Dallas, presented his plan for a communication application which coordinated various suppliers and expedited a construction project.

Erica Wittenbrook and Brea Wells, both of Acworth, presented their idea titled “Allfull” which is a unique method of dispensing hard-to-reach products like peanut butter. Tynasia Bunting, a guard on the GHC women’s Chargers basketball team from Newport News, Va., and Tommy Sullivan, of Rome, presented their idea for a revolutionary, fast-acting, anti-cramp-

ing rub-on gel that incorporates THC to help relieve pain in athletes and other demographics.

Sierra Nevada University’s Mateo de las Heras won on an individual score for presenting the idea of an interchangeable athletic shoe sole.

Both Sierra Nevada University and GHC will be presented with a trophy.

The event, held virtually, followed the same format as the Charger Innovation Challenge. Similar to the popular television series “Shark Tank,” teams presented their ideas using an elevator pitch followed by questions from the judges.

Judging criteria for the event included the innovation and uniqueness of the presenters’ BOWL – continued on page 22

highlands.edu | 21

Campus News

Faculty enhance the student experience with course redesign

Campus News

Open house held for Paulding educators GHC recently hosted 35 educators from the Paulding County School District to engage in a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) professional development workshop.

The event, held at GHC’s Cartersville site, featured liquid nitrogen demonstrations, chemical reactions and chemistry experiments, DNA activities and demonstrations, bacteria and medical microbiology, concepts on electricity, demonstrations from the health sciences faculty, and demonstrations from GHC’s new Building Information Modeling Management and FinTech degrees.

“Because the group of educators in attendance teach across various grade levels, we wanted them to be able to visit the activities they most wanted to learn about,” Interim Dean for GHC’s School of STEM Jason Christian said.

Georgia Highlands College and Paulding County School District have worked together for years to

bring visibility to STEM through initiatives such as STEM clubs, STEM family nights, and classroom activities.

District STEM Coordinator Sarah Graham said the event made a positive impact on participants and helped show how GHC can provide support to STEM educators.

“GHC professors provided the teachers with hands-on experiences, demonstrating what they could expect from a partnership in the coming year,” Graham said. “Our teachers left ready to collaborate with GHC on their upcoming STEM initiatives.”

Throughout each year, the School of STEM offers professional development opportunities to all K-12 districts in the region, support, participation in STEM related activities and outreach, as well as consulting for STEM certification and/or grant writing.

BOWL – continued from page 21

judging rubrics and behind-the-scenes initiatives to help bring the East-West Innovation Bowl to life.

Manna said the event was a success because it provided students platform to showcase their abilities to critically think and to show their innovative ideas.

Manna added that the intent of the East-West Innovation Bowl and the Charger Innovation Challenge is not to substitute for any classroom-based assignment, but to expose students of various backgrounds and majors to individuals working in the field of business and entrepreneurship.

“What we’re finding out is it’s not enough to graduate a student and hand them a diploma and say, ‘you’re on your own,’” Manna said. “Through these competitions we integrate real-world practitioners as judges, as mentors, and as coaches with these teams to help them prepare; and that begins a relationship that can lead to possible internships, interviews, and employment. It’s a very experiential process.”

ideas as well as feasibility, market potential, revenue streams, and other factors indicative of the potential success of an idea.

“We’re helping students to get involved in initiatives that replicate real-world conditions and I thought it would be great to have GHC students compete against students from another college in a different part of the country with a different demographic,” GHC’s Pat Manna said.

Manna is currently the executive advisor to Dr. Alan Nichols who serves as the Academic Dean for the School of Social Sciences and Education. Manna has also served as a curriculum advisor with the School of Business and Professional Studies.

Assistant Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management Lucinda Montgomery facilitated the livestream for the event. Both she and Manna spent many hours working with SNU to develop

22 | Fall/Winter 2021

Students in GHC’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Logistics and Supply Chain Management program recently participated in a real-world scenario: determining how to relocate a decommissioned Lockheed JetStar aircraft.

The Cohort 4 Principles of Logistics class was given the project to apply logistical concepts and come up with a plan to move the plane from Cobb International Airport to the Marietta Aviation History and Technology Center (AHTC).

“This project has been in the works for the AHTC for quite some time, and they were looking for some out-of-the box thinking to solve their unique problem,” Assistant Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management Lucinda Montgomery said.

Produced in the 1960s and 1970s, and built locally in Marietta, the JetStar was one of the first, and largest, dedicated business jets to enter service. It was the only business jet built by the company known as Lockheed at that time. In 2019, the AHTC received the aircraft from an anonymous donor. Because of the time of year of the donation, and the donor’s stipulation that the aircraft must be decommissioned upon landing, the inability to fly the aircraft resulted in the jet being housed at Cobb County International Airport.

Teams from the Cohort 4 class presented their findings to AHTC Director Brad Hawkins and to plane expert and AHTC Subject Matter Expert Scott Major. Both Hawkins and Major said partnering with GHC for this project helps the museum to continue its mission of being a community resource.

“Their presentation covered a wide range of issues with teams dedicated to transportation, scheduling, equipment, safety, permitting, finances, and communications; it is making us reconsider some of our plans and approach the move with a broader sense of what might be possible,” Major said.

He added they were pleased with the students’

results and they plan to further explore those results with their logistics partners. Hawkins agreed.

“The project allowed us to use our assets, and our ongoing work with this aircraft, to help area students advance their educational objectives,” Hawkins said.

“While this format is outside of our normal avenues of public engagement, the project has immense value as a real-world learning opportunity for students.”

Some ideas for relocation included attaching the JetStar to an 18-wheeler or using a Mi26 helicopter to relocate the aircraft; however, these ideas did not take off upon further research.

“We decided the best route would be to taxi the aircraft with a tug that they use at the airports for maneuvering airplanes to their respected resting area,” said GHC student Greg Chenoweth, who resides in Dallas and attends classes on the Cartersville site.

GHC student Eric Johnson, who resides in Marietta and attends classes on the Cartersville site, said he was surprised at the amount of work that goes along with overseeing and addressing the ongoing difficulty of large-scale logistic projects.

highlands.edu | 23

Campus News

Ideas take flight in logistics and supply chain management project

Campus News

Foundation Camp creates memories through new experiences At the 2021 GHC Foundation Camp, groups of boys ages 10 to 12 were able to experience new adventures on and off campus.

“Providing off-campus activities is instrumental in the development of each camper by enriching their awareness,” GHC’s GHAME Coordinator and Brother 2 Brother Assistant Director Evan Snelling said.

Activities included a trip to the RomeFloyd E.C.O. Center – a joint department of the City of Rome and Floyd County that exists to provide natural resource education. Here, campers learned first-hand about the ecology of Northwest Georgia by viewing 25 live animal exhibits of reptiles, amphibians, fish, and lizards native to the region while getting hands on with wildlife such as snakes and a small alligator.

For a chance to see some wildlife in action, campers went for a ride on the Sulzbacher Roman Holiday, Rome’s 40-passenger excursion boat.

Campers also were able to learn about local industry – and an essential skill – by visiting Pirelli Tires for a tour of the facility.

“Pirelli was added to the schedule to ensure all campers were taught how to change a tire and broaden their views on career possibilities,” Snelling said.

Back on the Floyd campus, campers were able to enjoy some traditional activities like tug-of-war, flag football, kayaking, and canoeing while also participating in a small-scale film production with GHC film instructor and School of Humanities Division Chair Seth Ingram.

At the end of the week, an awards ceremony was held to recognize several campers who made an impression through athletics, academics, and their growth as campers.

“We present an assortment of awards such as a kayak and a canoeing award, to a film award, to a brotherhood award for the campers who show the most concern and commitment to other campers’ wellbeing,” Snelling said. “We give awards to demonstrate what they are doing and being taught is more important than having fun and socializing.”

24 | Fall/Winter 2021

As a student in GHC’s Film Studies pathway, Ivy Hong Le is interested in the preproduction aspect of filmmaking – especially scriptwriting.

On a Local Cinema Studios production at GHC, she had the opportunity to gain an inside look at how a script comes to life and the importance of creativity as an intern on the set of the film “Holy Irresistible,” which includes scenes shot at the Floyd campus.

“Basically, what we do in the art department is decorating for the scene and putting out props or making them for the scene,” Hong Le said. “We have spent the past week setting up a house.”

While the art department can often repurpose existing items and create others, Hong Le learned that sometimes there is no substitute for the real thing. For example, one day she had to drive to Kennesaw in order to purchase two fish to be used in one of the scenes.

“They had to be whole fish, with their heads attached, and I couldn’t find them nearby,” Hong Le said.

She said working in the art department requires strict attention to detail, ensuring that scenes flow properly. Hong Le said that she learned the importance of ensuring continuity while setting up, breaking down, and relocating portions of the set.

“If one little thing is out of place, it can ruin a scene, so we take lots of pictures of where everything is placed,” Hong Le said.

She said being on set has helped her gain perspective on the multiple roles required to make a film production a success. And although the production has required 12-hour days and late nights, she said the experience has been invaluable.

“I definitely learn more through experience and

ASPEN INSTITUTE– continued from page 10

must show strong and improving student outcomes in key areas such as retention, completion, transfer, and equity. Nationwide, 15 percent of community colleges (150 of the approximately 1,000 public two-year colleges nationwide assessed for the Prize) have been invited to apply—the full list can be accessed on the Prize homepage.

The next steps in the process include: Selection of the top ten finalists by a panel of 15 experts in community colleges, higher education, and

Student Spotlight

Future film writer gets on-set experience

connections, and this has been great,” Hong Le said.

“We laugh a lot when we’re working, and we’ll sometimes have get-togethers after we’re done.”

Hong Le resides in Rome and attends classes at the Floyd campus. Her plans after graduation are to explore the many opportunities available in Georgia’s growing film industry. workforce training, to be announced in spring/summer 2022; Fall 2022 site visits to each of the ten finalists, during which the Aspen Institute and partners will collect additional information including employment and earnings data and insights about promising practices; A distinguished jury will meet and make award decisions in the first quarter of 2023.

Announcement of the Aspen Prize will be made in late spring 2023.

highlands.edu | 25

Faculty Spotlight

PROFESSOR ERIN SHUFRO JOINS BOARD OF REGENTS’ FACULTY HALL OF FAME

Erin Shufro wears more than a few hats at GHC. She works in the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). She is Chair of Physical Sciences. She teaches as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry. And she is a research advisor to students.

More than that, she is committed to providing access to higher education through high-quality, no-cost learning materials.

For these reasons and many more, Shufro has been selected as the recipient of the 2022 Felton Jenkins, Jr. Hall of Fame Faculty Award for the University System of Georgia (USG).

This prestigious Board of Regents’ system-wide award is highly selective and recognizes a total of three individuals each year for “a strong commitment to teaching and student success.”

The committee noted: “Professor Erin Shufro of Georgia Highlands College developed high quality, no-cost learning materials for her chemistry students at Georgia Highlands College and then found a way to share them with all science students at the college.

In the classroom, she manifests a remarkable commitment to creating multiple learning opportunities in the classroom and in the larger community.”

Shufro is no stranger to going above and beyond in helping students at GHC take on undergrad research opportunities with hands-on training in STEM fields.

Through a partnership with the Lake Allatoona Association, Shufro helped students across multiple areas assume undergraduate research projects with a broader scope not tied to a specific course.

26 | Fall/Winter 2021

“We are accepting all students who want to participate in undergraduate research no matter what their background,” Shufro said. “I want all our students to experience the fun of research and gain the skills that we can teach them.”

One such student was Muhammad Hanzala, who Shufro mentored as a research advisor. His undergraduate chemistry research on the chemicals used in fragrances went on to receive national attention and publication in the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) Proceedings Journal.

Hanzala’s road from research to publication began during his Chemistry 1 class with Shufro.

“Professor Shufro and I were looking for research projects to do, and I noticed at my work that the amount of pentane, an expensive chemical, being used in fragrances was excessive,” Hanzala said.

Hanzala said after discovering the problem, he and Shufro brought the method to GHC labs, refined it and made it cost effective, successfully reducing the price of an extraction.

“One of the most important things that GHC has is very easy access to brilliant professors who are always ready to guide and connect with me,” Hanzala said. “Throughout the research, the practice for presentation and the effort to submitting the research for publication, I always felt like I had the backing of all of GHC’s faculty.”

Shufro is set to receive the Felton Jenkins, Jr. Hall of Fame Faculty Award during the annual Regents’ Scholarship Gala in 2022. In addition to the award and being recognized by the USG Chancellor and the regents, she will receive a $5,000 award.

Students taking Victoria Banks’ English Composition classes at GHC may find themselves working to acquire XP (experience points) while completing assignments and engaging in classroom discussion.

During her time in graduate school, Banks focused on media rhetoric, interactive narrative design, and script writing in video games.

“I worked as a video game journalist while completing my capstone, an interactive script and game demo for a sci-fi RPG (Role Playing Game),” she said. “Along with these projects and experiences, I pursued a career in academia and applied my experience with game design and interactivity to the classroom.”

Banks enjoys including reward systems, quests, levels, and more interactive elements to facilitate an engaging classroom experience.

“My students actually refer to me as Professor Pumpkin,” Banks said. “Pumpkin has always been a nickname/pseudonym of mine as a gamer and content creator, so my students started using it as well.”

Banks said it wasn’t until she entered college that she realized she had a passion for academia.

“I found my mindset broadening, my knowledge growing, and my writing skills refining through collaboration with other creative students and instructors,” she said. “I admired many professors who guided and encouraged me, so I wanted to have a similar positive impact on colleagues and students.”

Banks said the collaboration and ways faculty support each other drew her to GHC. In addition to serving students inside the classroom, Banks aims to contribute to the development of the Writing Center and growth of the English department.

Describing herself as a “Renaissance Woman,” Banks said most of her spare time is spent collaborating in the creative writing club, working on independent game projects, sparring in a mixed martial arts gym, hiking with her dog, or picking up new skills.

“While I have a background in game script writing and narrative design, I’ve also studied varying fields of media composition such as film, television, graphic novels, social media, and more,” Banks said.

At GHC, Banks hopes to offer a unique perspective on multimodal composition and rhetoric while also helping to develop the writing center to its full potential.

highlands.edu | 27

Faculty Spotlight

Professor applies background in game design to classroom

Retiree Spotlight

HONOREES JONATHAN HERSHEY, PhD GEORGIA HIGHLANDS COLLEGE 1983-2021 Jonathan Hershey began his career as a Temporary Instructor of English at Floyd Junior College in 1983, and he has served as the Dean of Humanities and Professor of English at GHC since 2010. His other roles included Director of Georgia Highlands African American and Minority Male Excellence (GHAME) and Brother 2 Brother – two initiatives to improve college success rates for minority men. Dr. Hershey received numerous GHC, local, and state awards for his youth advocacy and service, including the Governor’s Award in the Humanities, Child Advocate of the Year by the Rome-Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth, the MLK Commission Community Service Award, and the African American Male Initiative Leadership Award. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in English and Creative Writing from Georgia State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative from the University of Alabama. He and his wife reside in Rome.

THOMAS DAVID MATHIS GEORGIA HIGHLANDS COLLEGE 1993-2021 David Mathis has spent 29 years at Georgia Highlands College, serving as Athletics Director and the Kinesiology and Wellness Program Manager as well as Tournament Director for the Georgia High School Association basketball tournaments held at GHC each year.

He helped to raise money for non-traditional student scholarships, and his work as Co-Camp Administrator for the GHC Foundation Camp helped at-risk males ages 10-14 to engage in athletic, academic, and character-building activities. Additional accomplishments include numerous volunteer service awards, a 2019 induction into the Rome-Floyd Sports Hall of Fame, and being named a Heart of the Community Award recipient. Mathis also serves as Chairman of the Rome-Floyd County Litter and Blight Task Force and the Rome-Floyd County Land Bank Authority. He is married and has three grown children.

28 | Fall/Winter 2021

Celebration honors Hershey and Mathis while raising money for scholarships and programs

GHC held a celebration in honor of Jon Hershey and David Mathis in November which helped raise money for scholarships and GHC programs.

The two recent retirees were honored as “champions in the community” for their dedication and combined 66 years of service to GHC and the local community. (Read more about Jon Hershey and David Mathis on page 28.)

Proceeds from the event will directly impact students, scholarships, and GHC programs such as Foundation Camp, Charger Athletics, and others endorsed by Hershey

and Mathis.

Gold Level sponsors included Novelis and Jerry W. Shelton.

Music was provided by Little County Giants and Laughlin, and catering was provided by Bonez and Gristles.

GHC would like to extend a special thanks to all the generous sponsors and donors who contributed to this event. Please visit bootsandbbq.highlands.edu for a full list of sponsors.

highlands.edu | 29

Retiree Spotlight

BOOTS and BBQ

Chargers Taking Charge PASSION FOR EDUCATION LEADS TO DECADES OF SERVICE TO FLOYD COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM Education duo. Husband and wife. Georgia Highlands College alumni. Assistant Principal. Teacher. And the list goes on and on for Robert and April Cummings. The path to becoming stand out members of the Floyd County community all started at GHC (then Floyd College) where both Robert and April found their start, leading to longtime careers in the Floyd County School System.

APRIL CUMMINGS After attending GHC (then Floyd College) in the late 1980s and graduating from the University of Georgia (UGA) with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, April worked for News Publishing Company for 10 years in the field of local and corporate advertising. It wasn’t until she and her husband, Robert, had their first child that she fell in love with education.

“I read to our son constantly, and teaching him during those first few years as he developed early literacy skills captivated me,” April said. “We decided I should explore a new career and earn a graduate degree in early childhood education.”

April went on to spend 15 years teaching students in the primary and elementary grades, shaping who she would become in her administration role.

Since July 2017, she has served as Assistant Principal at Johnson Elementary School (JES).

Throughout the day, April’s goal is to focus on what is best for JES students and to support teachers by ensuring students receive the best opportunities for academic and emotional growth.

Focusing on this goal, April is often found in the classroom assisting a teacher, in the hallway helping a class during transitions, in a meeting with a parent, planning instructional supports for students within JES’ professional learning communities (PLCs), or collaborating with the principal and

school staff to develop and sustain a rigorous and positive school climate.

This past summer, April also served as the administrator for Floyd County School’s first Summer School program for upper elementary and middle school students across the system.

“On rare occasions, I have even been seen wrestling in an inflatable sumo costume or serving as a human sundae with our principal in the gymnasium as part of a school fundraiser reward at Johnson Elementary,” April said. “Although educating children is serious and important work, achieving and growing together as lifelong learners should be fun, too.”

CUMMINGS– continued on page 31

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.”

30 | Fall/Winter 2021

NATIONAL STEM FELLOWSHIP AWARDED TO KIERSTEN BOLEY In 2021, GHC alumna Kiersten Boley began the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP). The five-year fellowship includes three years of financial support with an annual stipend of $34,000 and a cost of education allowance of $12,000 to the institution.

Boley started at Georgia Highlands College. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Astronomy at The Ohio State University (OSU).

The NSF GRFP recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions.

Boley said she was “beyond excited” to hear the news she had been accepted. In addition to requiring a proposal, transcripts, and letters of recommendation, the application for the fellowship required a personal statement elaborating on her background, education, and research efforts.

“I knew that I had put in a lot of work for the proposal and the personal statement, but I never would have imagined that I would actually be awarded the fellowship,” Boley said.

CUMMINGS– continued from page 30

April said her time at GHC prepared her academically and helped her prepare for managing school and work. In addition to being a student, April worked at GHC’s Office of Admissions, gaining valuable experience in working with and for others while helping them to be successful.

“Georgia Highlands College provided me with the foundation of collegiate academic success, and I will always be grateful,” April said.

ROBERT CUMMINGS In the early 1990s, after serving in the Air Force and continuing as a reservist, Robert enrolled at Georgia Highlands College (then Floyd College).

“GHC was conveniently located close to home, provided a schedule that allowed me to work full time and earn my degree, while continuing to serve in the Air Force Reserves,” Robert said.

“After completing my associate degree at GHC, I was able to smoothly transition

“There are so many amazing people out there doing great research.”

In the fellowship, Boley will continue to do research on exoplanets as well as begin research on the work she proposed to create a “galactic planet formation model,” which will show where in our galaxy planets are forming and when we can expect them to form.

In addition to her current educational pursuits, Boley also serves as a graduate researcher for OSU with the research topic of Planet Formation as well as a First Lieutenant, Executive Officer of a Ground Ambulance Unit for the U.S. Army Reserves. Currently, her research is devoted to understanding how metals impact planet formation by studying the oldest stars in our galaxy.

Boley stated GHC is a great place to earn a college degree.

“GHC has something that most large universities don’t: great teachers that really nurture curiosity. I think by starting at GHC, I was set up to succeed…,” Boley said. “The personal connection that you have with the professors at GHC allows you to ask more questions and gain a deeper understanding.”

to Shorter College and pursue my bachelor’s in education degree.”

Robert has been serving Coosa High School (CHS) since 1996 as a social studies teacher prior to entering his current role as the Lead Special Education Teacher. Each day, Robert works with students who benefit from academic support services as part of their educational plan for success.

“I am able to work one-to-one with students and assist within particular content areas of focus, and I also work with small groups of students at a time to help them strengthen and clarify concepts and skills, rotating through different classrooms throughout the day to support both students and the general education classroom teacher,” Robert said.

Robert also meets with teachers, parents, and administrators regularly to develop and monitor educational plans, and he serves as the point of contact for many parents, establishing a direct line of communication while ensuring that CUMMINGS– continued on page 32

highlands.edu | 31

Chargers Taking Charge

From Gambia to Graduation

Grad plans to start his own company For recent graduate Lamin Kuyateh, attending and graduating from GHC was both a milestone in his academic career and a gateway for engaging and learning about American culture.

Originally from Gambia, Kuyateh came to the U.S. in 2014 for greater education and career opportunities as well as to experience a different lifestyle.

“My experience here at GHC was phenomenal, and the faculty and staff are incredible,” Kuyateh said. “They work closely with students by providing them all the resources and tools needed to achieve their goals.”

As a pre-engineering major, Kuyateh plans to continue his education upon graduation and work toward a career in mechanical engineering.

“I want to earn a master’s degree in mechanical engineering technology so I can work for the big companies like Chevrolet, Dodge – and so I can open my own company,” Kuyateh said.

Part of his experience at GHC included his work in the GHC student organization Brother 2 Brother. B2B exists to provide positive solutions to the educational, cultural, social, spiritual, and intellectual needs of African-American and Latino male college students at GHC as well as opportunities for leadership development and campus and community service.

“My brother, Amadou Kora, brought the club to my attention before getting accepted to GHC,” Kuyateh said.

CUMMINGS– continued from page 31

students are making progress toward their goals.

“I have always believed that the development of these critical relationships are an investment in each student’s future,” Robert said.

Robert originally entered the field of education with aspirations of serving stu-

32 | Fall/Winter 2021

“During my first semester, I met the club organizers, and they went deeper in explaining the goal of the club. That’s when I decided to join. The activities we do in club were so motivational and inspiring.”

In addition to his involvement in B2B, Kuyateh said GHC provided him with an opportunity to engage in many new activities as well as to travel to some of Georgia’s historical sites. Kuyateh’s time in the classroom was positive as well.

Retired Dean of Humanities and Director of Brother 2 Brother and Georgia Highlands African American and Minority Male Excellence (GHAME) initiative Jon Hershey said Kuyateh has shown dedication to academics as well as a strong work ethic and a willingness to participate in the GHC experience in as many ways as he can.

“Lamin has been a consistent member of Brother 2 Brother and shows a sincere concern for the welfare and success of his brothers while maintaining a job and attending GHC full time,” Hershey said. “As a native of the Gambia, Lamin is one of a growing number of international students at GHC, and we have learned from him as much as he has learned from us. I am proud to see him graduate this spring.”

Kuyateh resides in Austell and attended classes on the Marietta and Cartersville sites. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys watching and playing sports including basketball and soccer as well as learning how to work on cars.

dents both inside and outside of the classroom. He is thankful for being able to take on multiple coaching roles while also teaching students. During late winter or early spring, Robert can be found on the golf course serving as CHS’ golf coach.

He said the reward of serving students continues long after the school year or the sport season ends as when

reuniting with former students outside of CHS and hearing updates on their lives or recalls of a specific lesson that may have stuck with them or made them appreciate history after they took his class.

“The greatest reward as an educator is knowing that the time you invest in a student makes that type of lasting positive impact,” Robert said.

LUNDY EAGER TO RETURN AND OFFICIALLY EARN DEGREE FROM GHC Chris Lundy has his bachelor’s degree. He has his master’s. He is even working on his doctorate. In May, the joined other GHC graduates in receiving his associate degree.

The reason?

He wanted to officially graduate from the place he feels gave him a strong foundation to go on and do everything he’s doing right now.

“It was always a goal of mine to earn this degree, and I’m thankful the University System of Georgia (USG) has this system in place that allows me to earn this degree after so many years,” Lundy said. “I’m what you consider a ‘reverse credit transfer’ — since I completed my master’s degree in a university system institution, I was able to come back and get my associate degree.”

Lundy earned his Associate of Science in General Studies from GHC at the May commencement ceremony.

He already received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Jacksonville State University (JSU)

and his Master of Education in Higher Administration from Georgia Southern University (GSU).

“Georgia Highlands College gave me some great opportunities as a student,” he said. “I’m very thankful for the foundation that GHC laid out for me.”

Lundy’s decision to go back and obtain his associate degree ties in with another educational and professional pursuit: he is currently working on earning a Doctor of Education in Student Affairs Leadership at the University of Georgia (UGA) with a focus on transfer services.

“This reverse transfer is another way of showing transfer students that I share in their experiences and all the emotions that come with making the transition from a two-year school to a four-year school,” he said. “It is not always easy, but a new environment, new friends, and new challenges can lead to new opportunities.”

Lundy credits GHC faculty for helping him in his own collegiate or

Lundy and Hershey

professional journey – particularly Jon Hershey, who served as the Dean of the School of Humanities at GHC. “If it wasn’t for Dr. Hershey, then I probably wouldn’t have made it [this far],” he said. “Stand strong and remain resilient in your pursuit of an education and find a network of people equally committed to your excellence.”

Lundy currently resides in Atlanta, serving as the academic advising manager in the School of Aerospace Engineering at The Georgia Institute of Technology. In addition to his career and academic pursuits, he enjoys watching sports and advocating on behalf of the Sickle Cell community.

GHC ALUM, REPORTER GOES VIRAL FOR COMPLETING NEWS SEGMENT WHILE SKATEBOARDING GHC alumnus Victor Williams of Detroit’s WDIV news station has gone viral after completing a news segment while skateboarding at the same time.

During the live segment, Williams was discussing a new skatepark opening in town and had a little fun with it. In the clip, Williams skates with ease while still talking to his colleagues back in the studio, Karen Drew and Jason Colthorp.

“As far as Chandler Skatepark, they’ll be done in about 10 days or so,” Williams said as he skated up and down each ramp.

“Victor, you are so cool! Look at him go!” Drew cheered.

“That’s live folks! Really good stuff,” Colthorp added before he asked how many years Williams had been skating.

“A long time,” Williams said as Drew mentioned that she was “so impressed.”

After the segment, Williams posted the video on his Twitter page, and as of January 2022, it’s garnered over 5 mil-

lion views, 25,000 retweets, and 184,000 likes, including recognition from Pro skater Tony Hawk.

Williams has been at WDIV since October 2019. The journalist previously worked at news stations WOIO, WLOXTV, WBBJ-TV, and WSB-TV. Williams is a graduate of Georgia State University and Georgia Highlands College.

highlands.edu | 33

Chargers Taking Charge RECENT PhD GRADUATE CREDITS GHC FOR STRONG FOUNDATION On April 29, Cory Lowe walked across the stage to celebrate earning his Ph.D. in Criminology at the University of Florida, a little more than a decade after earning his Associate of Arts in Political Science at Georgia Highlands College (GHC).

Although Lowe initially received his Ph.D. in 2020, commencement ceremonies were put on hold at the time. Participating in the 2021 graduation ceremony reminded Lowe of earning his first degree at GHC, which laid the groundwork for his academic and professional career.

“I dropped out of the first college I attended because of family and personal challenges, but when I had the opportunity to return to higher education, Georgia Highlands College provided an excellent educational experience and mentoring,” Lowe said. “This enabled me to restart my journey through higher education on a much better footing.”

He said he also appreciates the value of GHC’s low-cost tuition, which allowed him to afford continuing on the path of higher education, being able to receive an excellent education near home without going into an excessive amount of debt.

Attending classes at both the Floyd campus and Cartersville site, Lowe was heavily involved in Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society. He said the organization and the faculty involved provided networking opportunities and social support.

“Phi Theta Kappa also gave me my first introduction to academic conferences, which was very helpful since I have gone on to present research at many regional and national conferences,” Lowe said.

Lowe is currently employed as a research scien-

e b i r c s Sub Now ghctoday.highlands.edu 34 | Fall/Winter 2021

tist at the Loss Prevention Research Council in Gainesville, Florida, where he resides, researching how to prevent retail crimes such as theft, fraud, and violence.

Lowe also holds a Bachelor of Science in History and Political Science at Shorter University and a Master of Arts in Social Sciences at Georgia Southern University. He said that graduating from GHC and going on to earn his Ph.D. would not have been possible without the influence of his family and friends.

“If I had moved away to complete my associate and bachelor’s, I would have missed even more years with my family and my community,” Lowe said. “I am thankful Georgia Highlands College exists because it gave me several additional years with my family and community before I moved off for graduate school.”

Although the people, quality of education, mentoring, cost, and convenience are all factors that Lowe said helped shape his opinion of GHC, he added he also has an emotional tie to the college: “Georgia Highlands College will always hold a special place in my heart because it is where I got a second chance at a college degree.”

GHC Today is the official news center for Georgia Highlands College.

Students, alumni, and community members can subscribe to receive periodic updates like this one from the college and see all the exciting things happening at GHC!

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 a full game schedule, team roster, and season updates, visit ghcchargers.com.

Men’s Basketball

Georgia Highlands College men’s basketball is led by Head Coach J.J. Merritt and Assistant Coaches Greg Schiefen, Julian Reinhart, Reymond Savage, 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 a full game schedule, team roster, and season updates, visit ghcchargers.com.

highlands.edu | 35

Charger News

Women’s Basketball

Charger News

SEASON RECAP Charger Baseball They say that baseball is a game of inches. That proved to be the case as Palmer Sapp’s bottom of the ninth blast in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XVII title game was pulled back into the field to end the Chargers’ record breaking 2021 season.

While mere inches prevented GHC’s season from continuing, skipper Dash O’Neill reflected on a historic season full of highlights and shattered records.

“This team was just so much fun to be a part of, and I don’t know if I have ever had a group that I’ve been more proud of,” O’Neill said. “With a season getting cut short for these guys last year and so many different obstacles to navigate, this was a remarkable group of young men. They are conference champions, they are all over the post season award boards, and we have another group of sophomores moving on to great 4-year schools. I love these guys so much, and the season they put together will be something they will take with them for the rest of their lives.”

The list of post season accolades continues to pile up for the Chargers who landed a program best six players on the All-Conference Team: David Smith (C), Palmer Sapp (IF), Joe Sutton (IF), Conner Todaro (OF), Johnny Dow (P), and Conner Perry (P). Johnny Dow was also named Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA)/NJCAA Region 17 Pitcher of the Year. David Smith and Conner Todaro earned GCAA Gold Glove Awards for their excellence in the field, and Johnny Dow, Joe Sutton, and Conner Todaro were each named to the Region 17 All-Tournament team.

Brandon Prince was the baseball program’s 5th consecutive Male Scholar Athlete recipient. GHC Head Coach Dash O’Neill was named GCAA Coach of the Year for leading the Chargers to the regular season title and league best 42 wins.

A bevy of program records fell in 2021, particularly on offense where the Chargers shined brightest. GHC set new

36 | Fall/Winter 2021

marks in the following team categories: Wins (42), GCAA Wins (18), Complete Games (14), Walks Allowed (153), Hits (591), Runs (456), Runs Per Game (8.0), Doubles (125), Triples (24), Home Runs (56), RBI (414), Walks (253), Batting Average (.351), On Base Percentage (.451), Slugging Percentage (.553), OPS (1.004), Extra Base Hits (205), and Total Bases (932).

A slew of individual records fell in 2021 as well as Conner Todaro set new season marks for Batting Average (.435), Hits (87), Runs (66), Doubles (18), Triples (6), and On Base Percentage (.519). David Smith set a new record for RBIs with 62 on the year, and Brandon Prince shattered the stolen bases record by swiping 40 bags this season.

Johnny Dow tossed a record five complete games, including the first no-hitter by a single pitcher in GHC history.

Conner Perry established a new record for strikeouts with 76 on the year, and his nine wins are also the most in program history. Chase Townsend added the program’s second no hitter a few weeks after Dow’s gem.

As a team, the Chargers led the GCAA in eight different primary offensive categories and five major pitching categories. They set a new standard for winning streaks as well in 2021 after rattling off 15 consecutive victories in March. Ten Chargers will be moving on to continue their careers at four-year institutions next year: Johnny Dow (Georgia State), Omar Daniels (Dayton), Joe Sutton (South Alabama), Chase Townsend (Kennesaw State), Brandon Prince (Georgia Tech), Trace Twardoski (Columbus State), Nic Castonguay (Montevallo), Gavin Harmon (Georgia Gwinnett), Palmer Sapp (Georgia College), and Carter Lott (Middle Georgia).

Here’s to celebrating the 2021 Georgia Highlands College Chargers, GCAA Champions, Trojan Horse Series Champions, and NJCAA Region XVII Runner Up.

After having the 2020 season cut short due to COVID, the return to play in the season of 2021 was filled with hope and a special kind of excitement to be back on the field again. The team faced a tough schedule highlighting some of the best teams in the nation. There were many obstacles to face through rain, schedule changes, and new COVID protocols, but the team remained resilient and showcased all the hard work they put in to prepare throughout the fall.

Georgia Highlands Softball, led by Head Coach Savannah Sloan and Assistant Coach Jordan Fortel, finished the 2021 season with an overall record of 23-21, and a record of 17-9 in GCAA Conference play. In 44 games, the Chargers batted .292, scoring 221 runs, while blasting 41 homeruns over the season. The pitching staff for the Chargers held it down in the circle amassing 234 strikeouts in 281 innings of play, charting a 3.78 ERA for the season.

In the post season, the Chargers split with Georgia Military College in the first two matches of a best of three series. Returning the following day for the finisher, the Chargers put up a fight, but the Bulldogs came out on top going on the win the GCAA tournament.

“This team has been through and overcome a lot in their time together between COVID, seemingly endless amounts of rain, and schedule changes galore. We could

not be prouder of this Charger team as they displayed an excellent level of resilience returning from the canceled 2020 season” Coach Sloan said.

Several players were awarded Player of the Week awards throughout the season. Lacey Rutledge (SS), Madalyn Morton (RHP), Natalia Herrera (3B), Izzy Marcotte (C), and Montana Ledbetter (RHP). Three Chargers received first team All-Region accolades: Lacey Rutledge (SS), Madison Bennett (2B), and Hailey Cronic (1B). Four more Chargers received second team All-Region accolades: Allie Daffron (OF), Montana Ledbetter (RHP), Madalyn Morton (RHP), and Izzy Marcotte (C).

Charger Softball had several players move on to fouryear homes. Right-handed pitcher from Illinois, Montana Ledbetter, is now playing at Georgia College. She is joined

by Georgia resident and short stop Madison Bennett.

Madalyn Morton, a right-handed pitcher and Virginia native, moved on to continue her career at Warner University. Hard hitting first baseman, Taryn Hitchcock moved on to continue at Brenau University. Natalia Herrera, Izzy Marcotte, and Lacey Rutledge all joined the Hurricanes of Georgia Southwestern to continue their softball careers.

Second baseman, Georgia native Madeline Hairston continued her career at Middle Georgia State University.

highlands.edu | 37

Charger News

PSEASON RECAP Charger Softball

Charger News

More to the game Student-athletes honored with national academic awards

Sixteen of GHC’s student-athletes were recently recognized for their work in the classroom in addition to their abilities on the field and court by receiving National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Academic honors.

Student-athletes are eligible to earn academic honors by achieving an overall GPA of 3.60 or higher for the 2020-21 academic year. A 4.0 GPA is required for the NJCAA All-Academic First Team, a 3.80-3.99 GPA is required for the All-Academic Second Team, and a 3.60-3.79 GPA is required for the All-Academic Third Team.

“These individuals not only represented GHC on the court and the field of play, but they excelled in the classroom as well,” retired GHC Athletics Director David Mathis said.

Student-athletes on the All-Academic First Team are ShaoTung Lin, Women’s Basketball; Brandon Prince, Baseball; Natalia Herrera, Softball; Madalyn Morton, Softball; and Lacey Rutledge, Softball.

The All-Academic Second Team includes Caleb Carter, Baseball; Chase Townsend, Baseball; Mon-

tana Ledbetter, Softball; Maggie Schandera, Softball; and Allison Daffron, Softball.

Student-athletes on the All-Academic Third Team are Carter Lott, Baseball; Michael Moody, Baseball; Taryn Hitchcock, Softball; Isabel Marcotte, Softball; Haley Overton, Softball; and Mitchell Walker, Baseball.

Three GHC coaches named “Coach of the Year” by GCAA

Three athletic coaches at Georgia Highlands College (GHC) were recently named “Coach of the Year” by the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA).

38 | Fall/Winter 2021

Brandan Harrell was selected as “Coach of the Year for Women’s Division I Basketball.” JJ Merritt was named “Coach of the Year for Men’s Division I Basketball.” And Dash O’Neill was named “Coach of the Year for Men’s Division I Baseball.”

“Receiving these awards means that our coaches are respected across our conference and are working hard to make their respective sports successful both on the field or court and in the classroom,” recently retired GHC Director of Athletics David Mathis said.

The GCAA is a collegiate athletic conference and is a member of the National Junior College

Athletic Association (NJCAA) / Region XVII. The GCAA’s twelve members are comprised of four-year colleges, two-year community colleges, and technical colleges. GCAA members compete in fifteen sports for both men and women.

The “Coach of the Year” awards are voted on by the other coaches in the conference.

“Our coaches have been through one of the toughest years due to COVID and other obstacles, but they have done a remarkable job,” Mathis said. “They have had the health and safety of our student athletes as a priority and have been successful both athletically and academically.”

Take Charge - Change Lives

FUND AN EDUCATION. FUND A DREAM. FUND A FUTURE. Georgia Highlands College Foundation, Inc. has supported GHC and the education, dreams, and futures of students since 1973.

The Foundation relies on your support and that of likeminded donors to make this mission a reality.

GHC FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES Greg Patton, Chairman Patton Financial Associates Randy Quick, Chair-Elect & Treasurer Rome Radio Partners, Inc. Luke Lester, Past Chairman Bond, James Bond, Inc. Dee Bishop Sarah H. Burkhalter David Caswell

A donation of just $200 can make the difference in whether a student is able to complete their degree. Your gift, no matter the size, will make a tangible impact in the lives of students.

Melanie C. Collier Dr. Gayland Cooper Mary Louise Lever Steve Moore

Your contribution to the GHC Foundation will directly support programs like: Scholarships, Athletics, Foundation Camp, Food Pantry, and more!

Sally Platt John Quinlivan Matt Sirmans

JOIN OUR LEGACY OF GIVING BY CONTRIBUTING TO THE FOUNDATION TODAY. Give online at givetoday.highlands.edu or by mail at GHC Foundation, 3175 Cedartown Highway, Rome, GA 30161.

To learn more about how you can take charge and change lives, contact Liz Jones, Director of the GHC Foundation and Annual Fund, by phone at 706-368-7509 or by email at GHCFoundation@highlands.edu

In Memoriam GHC RETIREES

CHARLES DUDLEY SALLEY JULY 3, 2021

THOMAS RALPH PETERS, JR. NOVEMBER 17, 2021

*Names listed here are based on reports made to OneUSG Connect Benefits Call Center and provided to GHC.

Sue Spivey Tommy Strickland Mark Weaver Liz Jones Director of Foundation & Annual Fund Dr. Dana Nichols, Ex-Officio GHC Interim President Jamie Petty, Ex-Officio GHC Vice President Finance & Administration Donnie Denson, Ex-Officio Alumni Association Chairman

Coming Summer 2022

NEW MARIETTA LOCATION

1090 Northchase Parkway followme.highlands.edu

R E D N A L H HIG

r 2021

Fall/Winte

l magazine

The officia

Highlands of Georgia

College

sue In this Is

C’S CING GH INTRODU PRESIDENT INTERIM CHOLS DANA NI ARD: 50 & FORW CHES GHC LAUN N ATEGIC PLA STR W NE ELOR’S NEW BACH BUILDING DEGREE IN G MODELIN N IO AT INFORM MENT MANAGE

DON’T MISS THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE HIGHLANDER MAGAZINE! Want to receive a free copy of the Highlander magazine twice a year?

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

8 HIGHLANDER.HIGHLANDS.EDU