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.

Amber aspires to be a pediatric oncology nurse and hopes to eventually become a nurse practitioner. She plans to work full-time in the U.S. and take short-term trips overseas for mission work.

Her advice for others wanting to pursue a nursing career — “Study, study, study and then study some more. Every time I want give up, I think about the kids in Kenya waiting for someone like me to come help them. This helps me keep my eye on the prize.”

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.

GTC TV News paid a visit to the Office of Veterans Affairs to get a closer look at everything they have to offer our men and women in uniform.

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.

“Commencement is a special time for the Gwinnett Tech family – one that reflects our mission and commitment to our students and our community. Our faculty and staff are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our outstanding students, and equally proud to present these highly trained and skilled graduates to the business community,” says President Bartels.

Among the technical college system, Gwinnett Tech has consistently been the state’s leader in graduation awards. For the past nine years, GTC has awarded the largest number of associate degrees each year. For past five years, Gwinnett Tech has also been among the top three colleges in overall awards conferred and certificates granted.

In his address, Jackson remarked, “I want to congratulate you on your perseverance and your commitment to lift yourself up for the challenge.”

“What you have learned is important for life. You are walking away with skills critically important in preparing you for work – that is the main commission of the technical college system,” added Jackson.

“Life-long learning is critical to life success. Don’t stop here,” Jackson said in closing.

Now the country’s 11^th fastest growing public two-year college, Gwinnett Tech experienced across the board growth this academic year. Last fall, the college opened its new Life Sciences Center, which serves 3,000 students annually. With the new center, GTC also added four new health science programs — health information technology, cardiovascular technology, diagnostic sonography and patient care technician. Next fall, Gwinnett Tech will offer a new LPN to RN bridge program.

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.

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.

Gwinnett Tech’s dual enrollment program offers three distinct pluses:

1. Under the HOPE Program, dual enrollment coursework is covered at a 90 percent rate.
2. All hours paid by HOPE under a dual enrollment program do not count toward the total HOPE Scholarship or Grant hours that Georgia students can use after high school for their undergraduate studies.
3. Dual enrollment coursework is excluded from HOPE GPA calculations.

Gwinnett Tech also doesn’t require a set GPA for entry into dual enrollment courses, however SAT, ACT and COMPASS scores must meet college admission standards.

Depending on the program, students can choose to enroll in one college course or become a full-time Gwinnett Tech student.  Either way, the credits earned will transfer to many colleges and universities throughout Georgia and the nation. Students are able to take classes online or on the GTC campus in Lawrenceville.

Ready to learn more? Talk to a Gwinnett Tech admissions representative at 770-962-7580 or visit www.GwinnettTech.edu.

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.

“Jackson EMC has consistently supported education at all levels and particularly our efforts at Gwinnett Tech. Their investment in the Legacy of Lives campaign is one that benefits both our students and our community, including the thousands of Jackson EMC members in the area,” said Sharon Bartels, president, Gwinnett Tech.

In past years, Jackson EMC has supported other Gwinnett Tech campaign initiatives and scholarship programs of the Gwinnett Tech Foundation.

“Investing in the communities that we serve is in our company’s DNA. Gwinnett Technical College continues to produce graduates that are well trained to enter the workforce of our community, so we know that our investment in Gwinnett Tech is a sound and worthy one,” said Randy Dellinger, Gwinnett District Manager for Jackson EMC.

Jackson EMC Board Chairman Otis Jones and Dellinger met with Gwinnett Tech students, faculty and administrators for the on-campus check presentation.

With support from leaders in healthcare, technology and the private sector, the Legacy of Lives campaign has raised over $31 million to date, about 60 percent of its $50 million goal. Providing healthcare education programming costs GTC three times more than traditional programs.

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.

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.

GTC News visited the students at work in the shelter’s operating room to bring you this special report.

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.

Professor Kamar and her party were “most impressed with the up-to-date facilities, wide variety of programs, and exceptional equipment” that Gwinnett Tech students are able to use. She expressed her desire that the technical institutes in Kenya move toward this level of excellence.

The visit concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Technical College System of Georgia and the Kenya Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology. With the signing of the MOU, TCSG and MOHEST agree to work together to improve the delivery of educational opportunities to the students of Kenya’s technical colleges.

“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.

GTC TV News was on hand for the special night and brought you this report.

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.

Gibson serves as the student chapter president of the Associated General Contractors, president of GTC’s Commercial Construction Guild, is a member of the GTC Student Leadership Council and is a GTC Student Ambassador. He was recently hired as an assistant project manager with Bowen and Watson in Toccoa, Ga. The general contracting construction firm specializes in the construction of K-12 schools both in Gwinnett County as well as throughout the state of Georgia.

Commercial Construction Management Program Director David Barrett says, “Corey epitomizes everything the technical college system stands for.  He is an outstanding leader, both in the classroom and in the GTC community.”

Gibson was selected from among six student finalists including Daniel Barfield, Surgical Technology, Lawrenceville; Jacqueline Solomon, Nursing, Snellville; Kimberly Horn, Business Administrative Technology, Lawrenceville; Beth Hood, Radiologic Technology, Suwanee; and Robin Knight, Business Management, Lawrenceville

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.”

Tree Campus USA, a national program launched in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation, honors colleges and universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation. Tree Campus USA is supported by a generous grant from Toyota.

“Our urban forest here at Gwinnett Tech is a valuable and treasured resource for our community and our students,” says Gail Zorn, grounds director. “Preserving and protecting this natural resource is a top priority for us.”

During 2011, the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota helped campuses throughout the country plant 30,000 trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities have invested more than $22 million in campus forest management. More information about the Tree Campus USA program is available at www.arborday.org/TreeCampusUSA.

Gwinnett Tech offers an associate degree and a diploma program in Environmental Horticulture, plus certificate options that train students for employment as a landscape design technician, landscape/greenhouse installation technician, and in floral design