May 2023 Graduate Feature

Celebrating Our Graduates

Making lifelong friends and gaining real-world experience

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BE HERE. BE YOU. Celebrating Our Graduates

Healthcare Management grad plans to continue on to Brenau University

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mom of four returns to college for Graphic Design degree

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

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

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

dinner

table about the new things I’d learned.”

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

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

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

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

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

Submitted photo

Submitted photo

YOU. BELONG.

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

Captain Chad Johnson with the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) is growing his knowledge and career potential by graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from GHC.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I found the projects assigned in astronomy to be

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

Kindt is excited about her future prospects upon graduation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

KINDT– continued from page 4

Celebrating Our Graduates

Film program graduate named Academic Recognition Day Representative

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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