@WorkGwinnett Staff

First, Kenya. Now, a GTC nursing student.

A journey to Kenya three years ago charted the course for Amber Pekelder’s career. Traveling as part of a mission team to Peru, Jamaica and Kenya inspired her to become a nurse. “The need for healthcare is so great,” she says, that her experiences motivate her still today.

Amber is a first year nursing student who will graduate in May 2013. She appreciates the fact that her instructors are passionate about training the nursing students to be prepared. “We participate in simulations in the Life Sciences Center clinical suites – and then we repeat,” she explains. That repetition, Amber feels, is vital to get her ready for real clinical settings. Her first clinical rotation was at Eastside Medical Center and she will return there for her second rotation.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
@WorkGwinnett Staff

Office of Veterans Affairs Helps Ease Transition For Vets

Gwinntt Tech cares about its veterans. That fact couldn’t be more apparent than inside the school’s Office of Veterans Affairs.

Every day the office’s friendly staff helps advise student veterans on a range of issues, from which classes to take to navigating the often complicated application process for GI Bill benefits.

“Because we have a dedicated office of veterans affairs we have staff and resources that are solely focused on assisting our veterans in transitioning from military life to civilian life,” says veterans affairs advisor Lorri Chin-Shue.

The office is also equipped with a computer lab where veterans can do homework, check email and network with other students who share their military background.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
@WorkGwinnett Staff

Gwinnett Tech Celebrates Commencement

TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson

Commissioner Ron Jackson of the Technical College System of Georgia offered the 2012 graduates of Gwinnett Technical College a clear directive, “Choose to become a person of influence.”

Speaking at Monday night’s commencement ceremony at the Gwinnett Arena, Jackson also advised graduates to “always show gratitude, return generosity and offer thanks. Never forget those who help you along the way.”

Over 600 graduates crossed the stage to receive congratulations from Jackson and Gwinnett Tech President Sharon Bartels. The college projects that it will ultimately confer more than 3,200 awards to over 1,200 individual graduates when all grades and graduation applications are finalized.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
@WorkGwinnett Staff

Earn College Credit While in High School

Ready to fast track your college education? How about earning college credit for the courses you are taking in high school? Gwinnett Tech’s dual credit program is a fast, affordable way to start college – while you’re still in high school.

The program provides exceptional opportunities for Georgia high school juniors and seniors to take college level courses at Gwinnett Tech and earn credit toward a high school diploma and a college degree at the same time.

Dual enrollment is a collaborative effort between the Technical College System of Georgia, the Georgia Department of Education (DOE) and the HOPE Program. The program enables high school students to take one or more courses from Gwinnett Tech using a number of financial aid options including the HOPE Grant or HOPE Scholarship. Under dual enrollment, students receive simultaneous course credits that count toward high school graduation and future postsecondary education.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
@WorkGwinnett Staff

Jackson EMC Donates to Legacy of Lives Campaign

Jackson EMC Board Chairman Otis Jones (left of check) and Randy Dellinger, Gwinnett District Manager, Jackson EMC (right of check) join Gwinnett Tech health science students and President Sharon Bartels (center back).

Jackson Electrical Membership Corporation has donated $5,000 to Gwinnett Technical College, supporting the college’s Legacy of Lives Campaign.

Gwinnett Tech’s Legacy of Lives campaign unites business, healthcare and civic leaders to support the education and training of the healthcare professionals needed for the region. GTC’s new Life Sciences Center, opened Fall 2011, is a vivid example of strong partnerships between business and education and the resulting quality of life benefits for the community.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
@WorkGwinnett Staff

Vet Tech Students Volunteer At Gwinnett Animal Shelter

Gwinnett Tech Veterinary Technology students are helping dogs at the Gwinnett County Animal Shelter find  good homes.

Using skills they learned at GTC, the students are assisting with spay and neuter surgeries, making the animals more likely to be adopted.

Vet Tech instructor Ryan Cheek says the volunteer work benefits not only the dogs but also the students, who’ve spent long hours in the classroom training for the valuable hands-on experience.

“Everything they’re doing here we’ve spent the last six to eight weeks learning about,” says  Cheek. “It’s applying what we’ve learned in class to a real-world situation.”

Cheek says helping out at the shelter will prepare students for the work they’ll do once they enter the work force. Now vet techs in training, the students will one day assist doctors of veterinary medicine who perform spay and neuter surgeries every day.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
@WorkGwinnett Staff

Kenyan Education Leaders Visit GTC Campus

The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) and Gwinnett Tech hosted international visitors this week, showcasing Georgia’s successful approach to technical education and workforce development.

The TCSG Office of Global Initiatives hosted the Honorable Professor Margaret Kamar, Kenya’s Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MOHEST). The Honorable Professor Kamar; her personal assistant, Ms. Bartoo Perpetua Jerono; and Mr. Benard Islambo, MOHEST Chief Technical Education Officer met with Commissioner Ron Jackson; Deputy Commissioner Dr. Josephine Reed-Taylor, and Assistant Commissioner Dr. Sanford Chandler.

The group toured Gwinnett Tech with GTC President Sharon Bartels and the college’s executive leadership team, visiting the college’s Life Sciences Center, skilled trades division and on-campus Hudgens Early Education Center.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
@WorkGwinnett Staff

GTC Students Receive Awards and Scholarships at 2012 Ceremony

Gwinnett Tech’s 2012 Awards Ceremony marks the end of another year of success for GTC students. Family and friends filled the Gwinnett Center Performing Arts Theater to watch their loved ones receive awards and scholarships in honor of their outstanding achievements.

“It’s a night where our students are able to be recognized for their hard work [and] enthusiasm and get to share it with their family and friends,” says Gwinnett Tech Foundation Executive Director Mary Beth Byerly.

Throughout the course of the evening nearly $200,000 in scholarship funds were awarded through the Gwinnett Tech Foundation with the support of local business leaders like Clyde and Sandra Strickland and Matthew Holtkamp.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
@WorkGwinnett Staff

Gwinnett Tech Students Receive More Than $196,000 in Scholarships

GTC President Sharon Bartels & Corey Gibson, 2012 Distinguished Student

The Gwinnett Tech Foundation awarded 178 scholarships for academic excellence and achievement to Gwinnett Tech students totaling $196,624 at the college’s annual Awards Ceremony. Students were recognized for achievements in academic and occupational skills, as well as leadership and community outreach.

“We look forward each year to our awards ceremony,” says Sharon Bartels, president, Gwinnett Technical College. “Our students excel in so many areas. It’s a great pleasure to celebrate their accomplishments, and to recognize the donors and business partners who help them achieve their goals.”

Commercial Construction Management student Corey Gibson, Snellville, was named Gwinnett Tech’s 2012 Distinguished Student at the ceremony. Gibson received the honor, along with four other awards, for his academic excellence, leadership and involvement in campus outreach.

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •  
 
@WorkGwinnett Staff

Gwinnett Tech Named a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation

For the fourth consecutive year, the Arbor Day Foundation has named Gwinnett Technical College a 2011 Tree Campus USA in honor of its commitment to effective community forestry management.

Gwinnett Tech achieved the designation by meeting the required five core standards for sustainable campus forestry: a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and the sponsorship of student service-learning projects.

“Students throughout the country are passionate about sustainability and community improvement, which makes the emphasis on well-maintained and healthy trees so important,” said John Rosenow, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Achieving Tree Campus USA recognition sets an example for other colleges and universities and allows students a chance to give back to both their campus community and the community at-large.”

Continue reading →

 
  •  
  •