Chick-fil-A^® Leadercast^® is a one-day leadership event broadcast live from
the Gwinnett Center to hundreds of locations around the world.

While several thousand business people and other attendees purchased tickets to the packed the event, the students’ attendance was made possible by Gwinnett Tech as a Student Life project. “Student Life is thrilled to make this opportunity available to our students. This is an once-in-a-lifetime chance,” says Student Life Director Rachel Mariano.

GTC students snapped up available tickets and were appreciative of the opportunity, which included a meet and greet with Olympian Richards-Ross.  “She made a statement that said she visualizes her victory. And that is something that I’m going to take into my own future,” said Marisa Malone. “I am going to visualize my victories.”

“We are able to see day in and day out, how important it is for our students to be able to complete their education. Changing the HOPE Grant GPA from 3.0 to 2.0 will certainly help students be able to stay in school and earn that credential,” said Gwinnett Tech President Sharon Bartels.

Added TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson, “For the technical college system, restoring the 2.0 GPA for the HOPE Grant is critically important for those students who are enrolled in our technical certificates of credit and diploma programs. For our students, today is a big day.”

Signing the bill at the recent Technical College System of Georgia 2013 Leadership Summit, Gov. Nathan Deal stressed how the change will improve the state’s workforce development efforts.

“We need more college or technical college degrees in order to attract and fill the jobs of tomorrow,” Deal said. “I want to make Georgia the number one place to do business in the country. When we are trying to attract companies to come to Georgia or induce companies that are already here to expand, the technical college system is one of our foremost selling points.”

“We have so many students that have a lot of life responsibilities already. To give them the impetus to keep going, even if it’s gotten difficult or if it’s been a while since they were in college, is wonderful,” added Bartels.

For more information on the changes to the HOPE Grant  for Fall Semester 2013, visit www.tcsghopeinfo.com

“This is the culmination of years of hard work… and lots of late nights,” said GTC student Vicki McClure. “It’s exciting to be able to show everyone our work.”

Among those on hand and taking notes were members of the Interiors program Advisory Board, all working members of the industry. Program Director Susan Arnold said the students will benefit from the board members notes and critique.

The portfolio show was held at the Pinckneyville Community Center.  Gwinnett Tech students are actually helping provide the Center with a design facelift in the facility’s gallery area. “The students were asked to do a budget study for Gwinnett Parks and Recreation. From there, the Pinckneyville Community Center will select a design and implement that design in 2014,” said Arnold.

Gwinnett Tech offers an associate degree and a diploma in Interiors, plus certificate options for faux and decorative painting, interior design assistant and kitchen and bath designer.

“We look forward to this evening all year. It’s such a privilege to recognize the hard work and dedication of our students, and to celebrate with them and their families. So many of our students are in college despite significant hardship and are committed to their education as a means of improving life for themselves and their families. Their stories are inspiring to all of us at Gwinnett Tech,” said Gwinnett Tech President Sharon Bartels.

Among the students recognized were members of National Technical Honor Society, outstanding students for each Gwinnett Tech program, Collegiate DECA Award winners, SkillsUSA winners and a host of individual program honorees.

As this year’s Distinguished Student, Sanalila has a long record of service and leadership on campus. He is the founding member and president of the Student Veterans Organization, a Student Ambassador, and a member of the Multi-Cultural Club, National Technical Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He was a 2012 finalist for GTC’s GOAL (Georgia Occupation Award for Leadership) Award and is a scholarship recipient from the college’s Computer Information Systems Advisory Board. He is a frequent volunteer for Special Olympics and has also supported the Lawrenceville Boys and Girls Clubs, Annandale Village and Habitat for Humanity. Sanalila, from Dacula, is a husband and father of two.

Sanalila is actually working on his second associate degree from Gwinnett Tech. He is already a graduate of the college’s computer networking program and has earned five industry certifications. He is currently employed at Hewlett Packard.

In her recommendation of Alfred, GTC English instructor Dr. Cynde Gregory said, “He is without question one of the most capable and kind students I have taught over my lifetime. He senses when other feel discouraged and comforts them with utter grace and tact. He lives his live with humility and focused attention to work… His work ethic is a thing of beauty. “

In all, GTC offers more than 50 degree, diploma and certificate options that can be completed in two years or less. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.

Now in its 17^th year, Program Director Mark Newton’s recipe includes more than 75 students, 35 employers, and 10 minutes interviews that yield both learning and opportunity.

“We have 35 employers here, they’re sitting at tables of three, and they’re interviewing one student at a time. Our students are from the Culinary Arts program as well as the Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management program,” explains Newton.  “So the students have an opportunity to talk one-on-one with employers. They also practice interviewing, and get some great feedback. The resume will help them get the interview, but it’s the interview that will help them get the job.”

Tamara Markham, area manager with Marriott International, is a repeat participant and a fan. “I come back year after year because I have found talent in this program and have actually hired folks as a result of being a participant of the program, which I think is great, too. So, it’s a win-win for everybody.”

“When you’re interviewing for a job you don’t get a second chance. You don’t get to press rewind and go back and play it again. You get that opportunity here,” she adds.

Culinary Arts student Adam Cherry is enthusiastic about the contest. “I think it’s a good experience to learn your people skills while you’re in school. That way, when you go out into the industry, you pretty much have it down pat. The best advice I can give to a student is ‘don’t be too nervous to take a risk.’ Always be ambitious about what you want to do.”

Students participating in the program get immediate feedback on their interview from the employers, who also give Newton valuable advice and suggestions to hone his curriculum to industry needs.

“Workforce development is incredibly important at Gwinnett Tech,” says Netwon.  “We have a clear focus in our program — we want students to become more employable.”

Gwinnett Tech offers associate degree programs in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management and in Culinary Arts, plus a host of diploma and certificate options in both fields.

The competition is part of Manufacturing Appreciation Week, which was developed by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) and the Georgia Department of Economic Development to recognize the contribution of manufacturing to Georgia’s economy.

“We’re so impressed by Joseph and the rest of the students that participated in this competition. It’s great to see students at such a young age take interest in manufacturing in their home communities,” says David McCulloch, vice president of Economic Development at Gwinnett Tech, a TCSG college.

The student design competition involves school-aged children from across Georgia submitting artwork depicting the importance of manufacturing to their lives and communities. Winners were named for grades 9-12, 6-8, and K-5.

For Chung’s award-winning entry, he created a collage by drawing different company symbols that best represent the manufacturers of Georgia, including Atlanta-based Delta Airlines. His winning effort netted him a $100 scholarship check, presented by Lieutenant Governor Cagle, at the MAW Governor’s Awards Luncheon held at the Georgia International Convention Center.

“I was really excited to meet Lieutenant Governor Cagle. We were recently learning about him in my social studies class, so it was great to get the opportunity to meet and talk to him in person. I also enjoy drawing and painting, and this design contest gave me experience entering art competitions,” says Chung.

Manufacturing provides jobs for approximately 408,427 Georgians. The nearly 9,000 manufacturing facilities in Georgia are devoted to making products as diverse as textiles to automotive parts.

Gwinnett Tech offers more than 50 degree, diploma and certificate options that can be completed in two years or less. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.

Get the latest news about Gwinnett Tech: www.GwinnettTech.edu/news.

Registration for current students is open from April 3 – 30, while new students register from April 12 -30. The priority Financial Aid application deadline for the term is April 15.

Go to www.gtc-web.org to register. Summer Mini-Mester classes begin May 20, 2013.

Need more time? Late registration runs from May 10 – 15.

Orientation sessions for Summer Semester 2013 students are scheduled for:

• Friday, April 12, 9:30 a.m.
• Friday, April 12, 1:00 p.m.
• Saturday, April 13, 10:00 am.
• Friday, April 26, 10:00 a.m. (Late Orientation)
• Saturday, April 27, 10:00 a.m. (Late Orientation)

Please call Gwinnett Tech at 770-962-7580 to make an orientation reservation.

GTC scholarship donor Sandra Strickland and Jordan Bollander, a Gwinnett Tech Bioscience student who was awarded the Clyde and Sandra Strickland General Scholarship

The Gwinnett Tech Foundation awarded more than 260 scholarships for academic excellence and achievement to Gwinnett Tech students this year, totaling just over $322,000. College leaders united student scholarship winners and their scholarship donors and investors at the 2013 Scholarships and Awards Breakfast last week.

Gwinnett Tech President Sharon Bartels characterized the day as a particularly inspiring one for educators.  “We are surrounded by successful students who are taking action to change their lives for the better. Many are now able to realize the life-long dream of a college education and the path to a rewarding career. The quality of their lives and their ability to positively impact our community has been changed immeasurably by these generous donors and investors.”

Representing scholarship donors, speaker Sandra Strickland challenged the students to ask themselves daily “what can I do?” to improve my life and my community. Speaking to the importance of education, she reminded students that an education “is with you always” and pays life-long dividends.

Clyde and Sandra Strickland currently provide scholarships for Gwinnett Tech Healthcare and Public Safety students and fund the Breaking Through Initiative, which provides support for students who earned their GED at Gwinnett Tech to continue on to college at GTC. Since the Strickland’s first donation to GTC in 2011, the Foundation has been able to assist nearly 300 students with scholarships due to their generosity.

The Gwinnett Tech Foundation offers a wide range of scholarships available to both incoming and current students. Students attending Gwinnett Tech for Fall Semester 2013 may apply for Foundation scholarships from May 10 through June 13. Information is available at www.GwinnettTech.edu/scholarships.

In all, GTC offers more than 50 degree, diploma and certificate options that can be completed in two years or less. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.

The Horticulture program holds a community plant sale annually to sell the plants the students have grown to the community. Offered at the sale will be:

• Annuals: Petunias, angel wing and wax begonias, coleus, geraniums, black pearl ornamental pepper, sweet potato vine, calibrachoa and more.
• Perennials: Iris, hibiscus ‘Lady Baltimore,’ hummingbird mint, kniphofia uvaria ‘Flamenco,’ balloon flower, echinacea, strawberries, wood aster and more.
• Shrubs: Viburnum, ‘Pink Stardust’ magnolia, cleyera, spiraea, cryptomeria and more.
• Herbs: ‘After 8′ chocolate mint, oregano, thyme, marjoram, basil and more.
• Tropicals/Tender Perennials: Shell ginger, banana tree and lantana.
• House Plants: Begonias, spider plants, philodendron and more.

“I know every year we say the plant sale gets better, but the greenhouse is spectacular. The students have pulled together the best looking and the healthiest plants ever.  There are more varieties than we have time to list and I think our supporters will be pleased,” says Aaron Poulsen, Horticulture program director.

The GTC greenhouse is located adjacent to Building 600 on the Gwinnett Tech campus, 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville. Cash and check are accepted and preferred at the sale. However, credit/debit cards will be accepted in the business office in Building 100.

Save the date for the college’s upcoming Edible Sale on May 7 – 9, when a variety of vegetables, fruit and herbs will be sold.

Gwinnett Tech offers a degree and diploma program in Environmental Horticulture, plus certificate options that train students for employment as a landscape design technician, horticulture installation technician and floral designer. Beginning this fall, GTC will add certificate programs in Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

In all, GTC offers more than 50 degree, diploma and certificate options that can be completed in two years or less. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580

Dr. Phil Gibson, Bioscience Program Director

Gwinnett Technical College recently hosted 40 North Gwinnett High School biotechnology students, giving the students a “up close and personal” look at careers in the fast-growing bioscience field with a tour and demonstrations in Gwinnett Tech’s Life Sciences Center.

While on campus, students spend 30 minutes in four different lab settings, exploring protein research, bioscience careers, bioscience technology and equipment and lab safety. Gwinnett Tech life science instructors Dr. Saphronia Wallace, Herschel Meaders, Dr. Mohammed Salameh, and Dr. Roberts Powers led the sessions.

“This event allowed us to show Gwinnett County Public School students that Gwinnett Tech is one of the best-kept secrets for bioscience education and research in the region,” says Dr. Cathy Scholz, dean of life sciences at Gwinnett Tech. “The students experienced our state-of-the art labs and equipment, but also got the opportunity to learn about our exceptional bioscience program.”

North Gwinnett High School student Anna Raye said, “I have never been on a college campus before, so I really enjoyed touring Gwinnett Tech and learning about the different areas of bioscience and biotechnology. My favorite session was Dr. Salameh’s on protein research.”

Gwinnett Tech is a frequent destination for high school students. Most recently in February, 25 sophomores from the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology came to the college for a shadowing event in the bioscience lab. Students were shown how to perform lab safety inspections, how chemical media is prepared, and enjoyed a tour of Gwinnett Tech’s Bioscience department.

Bioscience Program Director Dr. Phil Gibson has also hosted numerous high school groups in the past and is currently creating science labs for 8th graders at Moore and Sweetwater Middle Schools.

The bioscience field is currently one of the fastest growing business sectors in the U.S. and Georgia recently ranked seventh nationally for the number of biotechnology companies, according to Georgia Bioscience Technology Institute.

Gwinnett Tech offers a degree in Bioscience Technology and certificates for Bioscience Environmental Laboratory Technologist, Bioscience Regulatory Assurance Technologist and Clinical Research Professional. GTC also offers more than a dozen programs in other life science and healthcare career fields.

GTC offers more than 50 degree, diploma and certificate options that can be completed in two years or less. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.