Atlanta Technical College • 1560 Metropolitan Parkway, SW • Atlanta, Georgia 30310 • 404.225.4400 • www.atlantatech.edu

JOURNEYS2014-2015

i n t o t h e w o r l d o f a t l a n t a t e c h n i c a l c o l l e g e

1560 Metropolitan Parkway, SW • Atlanta, Georgia 30310t 404.225.4493 • f 770.357.1397 • cld@atlantatech.edu

http://www.atlantatech.edu/confcenter/conference-center.php

Host your next event at the Dennard Conference Center

The Cleveland L. Dennard Conference Center is a state-of-the-art event facility located on the campus of Atlanta Technical College. It is three miles south of Turner Field and just 15 minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Parking is free and there are a variety of event and catering packages available.

The Dennard Conference Center has more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space that can be configured to meet your needs. So, if you are hosting a trade show, business meet-ing, wedding, conference, bar mitzvah, holiday party, banquet or seminar, we invite you to consider the Dennard Conference Center, one of Atlanta’s premiere event venues.

dennardconference

center@Atlanta Technical College

BEYOND THE FRAME

Acclerating Opportunities

pg.19

I N S I D E

As set forth in its student catalog, Atlanta Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, veteran status, or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). For further information regarding these laws (Title VI and IX) or to request reasonable accommodations upon enrollment

(Section 504/ADA) contact:

Sylvie Moses, equity/special needs coordinator404.225.4434, smoses@atlantatech.edu

Atlanta Technical College, Cleveland Dennard Center, Suite B164, 1560 Metropolitan Parkway, SW, Atlanta, GA 30310

“BEYOND THE FRAME”

We serve a diverse student body of approximately 4500 students, representing all ages, cultures, and educational backgrounds. The college offers more than 80 high-tech degree, diploma, and technical certificate of credit programs. Our students, along with

our faculty and staff, create an academic community that is intellectually stimulating and technically challenging. Our mission is workforce development and our goal is student success.

During this academic year, Atlanta Technical College has focused on building and reinforcing our “framework for success.” Within this frame, our students, faculty, and staff have been striving for student success and improving our service within the community and around the world. Together we are the sum of our individual and collective journeys as we provide our students with rigorous academic and applied study that prepares them to make significant contributions to this community and to the world.

Once we understand the framework and its impact on our success, we then prepare to stretch the limits of the frame and to transform our education and experiences into leadership and service.

Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.Albert Einstein

Atlanta Technical College engages our college community in academic and applied learning, and we challenge each other to think and behave critically and creatively in our diverse, changing global community. Atlanta Technical College students are challenged “to think outside the box”—to go beyond the frame of traditional academics and technology and to use critical thinking and creativity as strategies to reframe their professional and personal successes. Beyond the frame of traditional ideas and expectations is a space where faculty, staff, students, and graduates think critically, work innovatively, and live proactively in the global community that is diverse and constantly changing.

We are on an adventure that will take us beyond the frame of conventional thought and traditional thinking to a vibrant place of possibilities. I invite you to join us on our journey to success!

I N S I D EFEATURES

JOURNEYSis published by the Office of Communications & Marketing at Atlanta Technical College.

VOL. 6, NUMBER 1

EDITOR & WRITER: Terreta A. Rodgers

CONTRIBUTING WRITER: Pia ForbesLaura Raines

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Shana Dezelle

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Jonathan HarperRon Witherspoon

The Office of Communications & Marketing

Front cover photo by Ron Witherspoon

Inspiration by the students & alumni of Atlanta Technical College

Letters to the editor are welcome. They may be edited for clarity and length. Unless otherwise noted, articles may be reprinted as long as credit is given.

All inquiries and comments should be sent to

JOURNEYS EditorAtlanta Technical College1560 Metropolitan Parkway, SWAtlanta, GA 30310404.225.4604E-mail: trodgers@atlantatech.edu

3 SPECIAL REPORT – ATC HAS $63 MILLION IMPACT IN REGION

5 BRIDGE BUILDER AWARDS

7 ACHIEVEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

9 PROFILES IN COURAGE

13 PRESCRIPTION FOR SUCCESS

15 HIGHFLYING PARTNERSHIP

16 BRIDGING THE GAP

17 ENGINEERING GREAT CAREERS

19 SHIFTING THE EDUCATION PARADIGM

21 LEARNING TO SUCCEED

22 ART SHOW

Alvetta Peterman Thomas, Ed. D.President, Atlanta Technical College

A UNIT OF THE

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

SPECIAL REPORT

Spending associated with Atlanta Technical College has $63 million impact in region

Dr. Je� rey M. Humphreys, director of the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, says the area served by Atlanta

Technical College (ATC) bene� ts economically from spend-ing, directly or indirectly related to the college, that adds up to $63,965,060. � e economic impact is in a new report from Dr. Humphreys that details his analysis of economic data from the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) for the 2012 � scal year. � e study also found that the college’s spending results in 692 public and private sector jobs. Humphreys reported that statewide, for each job created on a TCSG college campus, one o� -campus job exists because of college-related expenditures. “One in every 264 nonfarm jobs in Georgia occurs because of spending associated with a TCSG college,” he says. “� e fundamental � nding is that each of the TCSG colleges, including ATC, creates substantial economic impact in terms of output, value added, labor income, and employment. � is economic impact demonstrates that continued emphasis on technical colleges as an enduring pillar of the regional economy translates into jobs, higher incomes, and greater production of goods and services for local households and businesses.

TCSG commissioned Humphreys to calculate the importance that spending connected to the state’s technical colleges has for their service delivery areas, which range in size from two to eleven counties. ATC serves Fulton and Clayton Counties.

Several categories of college expenditures were reviewed for the study, including personnel salaries and fringe bene� ts, college operations, capital construction projects, and student spending.

� e result, put in the context of the taxpayer investment, indicated that the $11,686,087 state appropriation for ATC in 2012 supported the enrollment of 7,239 students, generated $63,965,060 in local spending, and helped to sustain almost 692 college-related jobs.

“� e data that we have seen in the latest economic impact report is encouraging,” explains Dr. Alvetta Peterman � omas, president of Atlanta Technical College. “Our robust educational o� erings and strong partnerships with business and industry are yielding results. We are ful� lling our mission of workforce development and as a result, the region has seen a $63 million infusion. As we continue to expand our programs into high-demand � elds such as industrial engineering, bioscience technology, supply chain management, logistics, industrial systems technology, and mechatronics, we are optimistic that Atlanta Technical College will continue to make a signi� cant impact on the economic vitality of this region. “

Statewide, the $315 million state appropriation for TCSG in 2012 helped to educate almost 153,000 technical college students, contributed to $1.2 billion in direct and indirect spending in communities throughout Georgia, and was a factor in almost 15,000 public and private sector jobs.

3JOURNEYS

Presidential appointee keynotes inaugural clergy lunch

The Reverend Brenda Girton-Mitchell, Director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partner-ships in the Offi ce of the Secretary, U.S. Department

of Education, served as the keynote speaker for the Inaugural Faith Community Brunch hosted by Atlanta Technical College (ATC). Held on Th ursday, March 20, 2014, the brunch was an opportunity for ATC representatives to brief faith leaders on the community empowerment services off ered at the college, includ-ing career-focused credit programs, GED® preparation programs, continuing education courses, and customized contract training workshops.

During the address, Girton-Mitchell, who was appointed to the position of director by President Barack Obama in 2010, intro-duced Mr. Obama’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge. Working within the framework of the challenge, faith leaders and college administrators band together to evaluate the pressing needs of their neighborhoods and promote education and service learning as tools to address problems. Girton-Mitchell challenged the faith leaders to work with Atlanta Tech and all of the educational institutions in their service area to foster positive community relations and help parishioners fi nd the path to self-suffi ciency and employment.

4JOURNEYS

“Th e spending factor alone is a sizable return on the state’s investment in TCSG, and it would be signifi cantly higher if we were to add the economic value that our graduates create once they leave college and meet employers’ needs for a skilled workforce,” said Ron Jackson, TCSG commissioner.

Th e study did not attempt to measure the value in terms of the increased earnings of TCSG graduates or the colleges’ role in helping the state to attract and retain companies with high-skill, good-paying jobs.

Nor did it calculate the impact of TCSG’s Quick Start program, a state economic development incentive that provides customized training free of charge to new and expanding businesses.

Th e full report, Th e Economic Impact of Technical College System of Georgia Institutions on their Service Delivery Area Economies in FY 2012, is available online at https://tcsg.edu/download/TCSG_Impact_2012_Economic_Activity_1.2014.pdf

Girton-Mitchell (center) poses with the men of AIM (Atlanta Tech Institute for Males) and ATC President Alvetta Peterman Th omas.

2014 BRIDGE BUILDER AWARDS

ATCF honors four women who are breaking barriers and building bridges

The Bridge Builder Awards has been in existence since 2001. It is an annual event at which the Atlanta Technical College Foundation (ATCF) recognizes leaders and organizations from the corporate, non-profi t and government sectors who have worked to improve educational outcomes for underserved children and adults. Past honorees have included Ambassador

Andrew Young, Ingrid Saunders Jones, Ann Cramer, Vickie Palmer, Tad Hutcheson, Sara Gonzalez, Hank and Billye Aaron, and Th e Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. In 2014, four dynamic women have been tapped to receive Bridge Builder Awards as acknowl-edgment for their contributions. Th e honorees are presented with the awards during annual Bridge Builder Awards celebration on April 17, 2014. Proceeds from the event support student scholarships and grants, provide awards and support to faculty, and help obtain equipment for technical programs at Atlanta Technical College.

2014 Award Recipients

Mary Brock

Mary Rockett Brock is Co-Owner of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Atlanta Dream. Th e Atlanta Dream are 2010, 2011, and 2013 Eastern Conference Champions, having been to the WNBA Finals for three out of their six seasons as an expansion team.

She was selected as a Bridge Builder for her work with organizations that develop policies and programs to improve educational and wellness outcomes, from the cradle through college, for low-income youth. Brock serves on the Board of Trustees of Usher’s New Look Foundation and Spelman College, the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Metro Atlanta Chamber, and the Board of Advisors of the Winship Cancer Institute. For many years, she has served on the Board of Directors of Horizons National, a program for underserved youth that focuses on the learning achievement gap, with 36 affi liates across the country, including one that began in the summer of 2013 at Atlanta Technical College.

Mary is married to John F. Brock, III, with whom she has funded chairs dedicated to cancer research at Georgia Tech and Emory University.

Cheryl Lomax

Cheryl Lomax is Senior Vice President, Global Marketing and Corporate Aff airs at Bank of America. She is charged with helping to drive Bank of America’s corporate social responsibility strategy and delivering the full capabilities of Bank of America to individuals, companies, and institutional investors in Georgia.

In 2013, Lomax was instrumental in ushering Atlanta Technical College into the Bank of America Neighborhood Builder® program. Th e program supports high-performing nonprofi ts that have made a signifi cant impact in the community working in the bank’s priority funding areas of housing, jobs, and hunger relief. Th rough it, Bank of America pairs leadership training with a $200,000 unrestricted grant so leaders gain valuable skills while applying funding where it is most needed. Atlanta Technical College has used the funds to help students pay for tuition, books, supplies, and transportation, and to provide development programs that lead to employability.

In addition to working with Atlanta Technical College, Lomax serves on the Board of Directors of Th e East Lake Foundation, True Colors Th eatre, and Warrick Dunn Charities. She is a member of the Advisory Board of Th e Bryan School of Business and Economics at Th e University of North Carolina Greensboro and engages in community improvement projects through Delta Sigma Th eta Sorority, Inc., Th e Links Incorporated, and Jack & Jill of America. Her work with these and other community organiza-tions led the ATCF to name Cheryl Lomax a 2014 Bridge Builder.

5JOURNEYS

Erica Qualls

Erica Qualls serves as General Manager for the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Marriott International’s third largest hotel, a $100 million-a-year operation. She is responsible for ensuring guest and associate satisfaction, managing the hotel’s fi nances and assets, overseeing guest relations, and fostering business alliances that promote Marriott International. Th e Atlanta Mar-riott Marquis is Georgia’s largest hotel, with 1,663 guestrooms and suites and over 160,000 square feet of meeting and convention space.

Qualls has worked with the Children’s Miracle Network, United Negro College Fund, United Way of Greater Atlanta, the YWCA, and Th e Atlanta Area Council Boys Scouts of America to promote equity in education, employment, and access to resources. She also served on the Local Board of Directors for Atlanta Technical College for three years, during which she was instrumental in establishing the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel/Restaurant/Tourism Management Student Scholarship. Qualls’ work with youth-focused com-munity groups and Atlanta Technical College was the impetus behind Th e ATCF Board of Trustees’ decision to name her a 2014 Bridge Builder.

Karyn Greer

Karyn Greer is an Emmy Award-winning anchor at the Networks of 11 Alive. She is the past president of the Atlanta Press Club and currently serves on the Board of Governor’s for the National Academy of Television, Arts & Sciences. In 2013, Greer released, I Am a Mother, and added published author to her list of accomplishments.

Since her arrival in Atlanta in 1989, Greer has been actively engaged in the Atlanta community, working with the Greater North Atlanta Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.; Th e Sport of Giving; the Salvation Army; American Cancer Society; and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. to promote the ideals of equal access to quality healthcare, food, education, and employment resources. Greer, an avid supporter of Atlanta Technical College, has also lent her name, time, and tal-ents to the college’s campus and community initiatives aimed at moving students from being chronically unemployed to being gainfully employed. For these and other valued feats of service, Karyn Greer has been selected to receive the highest honor bestowed by the college, the Atlanta Technical College President’s Award.

6JOURNEYS

Scenes from the Bridge Builder Awards

Bioscience student spends semester at SEABioscience technology student Suzette Kramer Shipp set sail on an educational adventure of a lifetime in 2013 when she enrolled in the SEA Semester, a study abroad program off ered through the Sea Education Association (SEA). During the Academics on Shore segment of her studies, Shipp spent six weeks at the SEA campus in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Th ere, she conducted experiments alongside professional researchers, scholars, and mariners, and earned academic credit for the curriculum in oceanography, nautical science, and marine policy.

Upon completion of Academics on Shore, Shipp traveled to San Diego, California, where she boarded the Robert C. Seamans, a 134’ sailing school vessel. For six weeks, she worked on the tall ship and helped provide weather observations to a national database, learned to chart the course for the vessel using celestial navigation, and served as the Junior Watch Offi cer, taking full command of the vessel during specifi ed watches. During that time, Shipp also developed and tested a research project that examined the linkages between nitrogen, phosphorous, Apparent Oxygen Utilization (AOU), and microbial production spanning a transect of the South Pacifi c Gyre Oxygen Minimum Zone. Data was collected from multiple sample sites while she was at sea and during her stops in Nuka Hiva, Marques Islands; Fakarava, French Polynesia; and Papeete, Tahiti. Th e information gathered during her voyage provided the basis for a representative biogeo-chemical analysis of the South Pacifi c Gyre, and, on February 25, 2014, Shipp released an e-poster on her presentation, Mapping and Measuring the “Oxygen Minimum Zone in the South Pacifi c Gyre,” at the 2014 Ocean Sciences Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Dean of Health and Public Safety publishes article on cultural competencyDr. Queenston Th orpe, Dean of Health and Public Safety Technologies at Atlanta Technical College, served as lead author on “Incorporating Cultural Competency into a Physi-cal Th erapist Assistant Curriculum.” Th e article, which she penned with Bernadette Williams-York, director of the physical therapy program at Alabama State University, appeared in the Journal of Best Practices in Health Professions Diversity and presented a compelling case for the need to teach physical therapist assistants to be culturally competent practitioners. Th orpe and her co-author included pedagogy for teaching physical therapy in diverse settings and they demonstrated how cultural competence objectives progress through fi ve domains: awareness, knowledge, sensitivity, competence, and profi ciency. Th e taxonomy of physical therapist assistant behaviors in a cultural competence curriculum was outlined for readers, as were the curriculum goals, objectives, and learning outcomes.

ACHIEVEMENT & LEADERSHIP

Ying Ma awarded rotary scholarship

Ying Ma, a pharmacy technology student at Atlanta Technical College, is the winner of the Clayton County Rotary Club Scholarship. Club President Karen Sullivan presented Ma with a $1,000 check during their January 22 meeting. Ma, who is originally from China, earned a diploma in pharmacy studies from Suzhon University in China in 1998. Following graduation, she went to work for

7JOURNEYS

ATC student advances to NetRiders fi nal international roundMahmood A. Th ompson, a computer information technology student at Atlanta Technical College, advanced to the fi nal international round of the Cisco Networking Academy 2013 NetRiders USA/Canada Post-Secondary Competition. He was one of only three students selected to represent Georgia in the fi nal round of the competition.

For this challenge, which is commonly referred to as NetRiders, professional programmers use Cisco’s Web 2.0 technologies to create interactive networking skills contests to enhance classroom learning, to unite students from across the world, and to promote further technology education and training. Contestants rely on their IT acumen to navigate through online exams and simulation activities, using the Cisco Packet Tracer to construct, to confi gure, and to troubleshoot virtual networks.

Th e benefi ts to student participants are far reaching. Th ey include recognition for outstanding achievement, hands-on experience working on real-world challenges, exposure to career opportunities and internships through increased visibility, and connections to future business associates around the globe. Students from colleges and universities in more than 50 countries competed in NetRiders 2013. Th e 17 international winners received the coveted prize of a weeklong study excursion to Cisco headquarters in San Jose, California, the heart of Silicon Valley in the U.S.

Whitehead selected for Research and Respondent Team at DREAM 2014Terence Whitehead, an automotive repair student at Atlanta Technical College, was one of only eight students selected nationwide to serve on the Research and Respondent Team for the Achieving the Dream Annual Institute on Student Success, held February 24–27, 2014, in Orlando, Florida.

Sponsored by the National Society for Collegiate Scholars, the Research and Respondent Team was charged with providing postsecondary administrators with feedback and qualitative data on the impact of Achieving the Dream National Reform strategies on student outcomes. Whitehead and his colleagues shared their views on critical improvement tactics with more than 1800 college vice presidents, success coaches, student advisors, policy teams, and other higher education leaders who attended the institute. Th ey provided insight on the direct and indirect interventions used at their home institu-tions to increase student success and close the achievement gap. Whitehead, a veteran of the Afghanistan War, also shared strategies for engaging and retaining veterans.

In appreciation of their service on the Research and Respondent Team, students received complimentary admission to Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence presented by the Disney Institute and they attended the Business Behind the Magic Tour.

ACHIEVEMENT & LEADERSHIP

several hospitals and medical instrumentation companies, but put her career on hold when she met her husband and moved fi rst to Canada and then to the United States.

After giving birth to a baby girl, Ma stayed home for several years to take care of her family. All the while, her urge to work in the medical fi eld never subsided. So, in 2013, she enrolled in the pharmacy technology program at Atlanta Technical College. Th e rotary scholarship has helped Ma cover the cost of tuition and supplies, and she is expected to graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in Pharmacy Technology in May 2014. Following graduation, Ma hopes to work for a local hospital or retail pharmacy outlet. 8

JOURNEYS

PROFILES

9JOURNEYS

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CourageCouragein

Demetrica Wright, Unique Bunch, and Robbie Howard

Robbie Howard spent 10 years working for the CVS/Caremark conglomerate,

working her way up the ladder from conversion trainer to district pharmacy trainer. During her tenure, she enjoyed the work but noticed an alarming trend. “Being a pharmacy technician allowed me to provide community health to a diverse population and I loved my job,” explains Howard. “While I was at CVS, though, I saw that the Baby Boomers who initially fi lled the pharmacy technician positions were approaching retirement. And sadly, I didn’t see the next generation clamoring to get the allied health education they would need to fi ll those vacated roles.” With a smile, she adds, “I just felt as though I needed to do my part to change that.”

At the time, Atlanta Technical College was looking to hire someone to direct its pharmacy technology program and teach related classes. Howard’s education, professional background and passion were exactly what the college needed. Now, nearly six years later, Howard has been named Teacher of the Year at the college, a nod that both surprises and humbles her.

“I am honored, particularly to have received the backing of my college,” says Howard. However, she insists that she has not done anything extraordinary. “I’m a service-oriented person, so whatever I can do to serve and support my colleagues and students, I do without a second thought. Truthfully, this is what we all do here at Atlanta Technical College.”

However, what Howard has brought to the college and her division has outpaced the expectations of many of the people who surround her daily. Students and colleagues alike credit Howard for making Atlanta Technical College’s pharmacy technology program a model of excellence. When Howard arrived at the college, the program was in its infancy. She was appointed chair, and she guided the team through curriculum

development and program launch. Today, it is the only program in the metro Atlanta area accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and employers are jockeying to get graduates of the program to join their pharmacy teams.

Asked about the passion she brings with her to work every day, Howard says, “Th e work that we do as instructors at Atlanta Technical College, and indeed in the Technical College System of Georgia, is transformational. Every day, I see another life changed and it reaffi rms this is where I am meant to be…Where else can you have an immediate and lasting impact on your com-munity, economy, and way of life?”

Howard, determined to be an example of excellence and lifelong learning for her students, engaged in two signifi cant undertakings last year. First, she earned additional certifi cations in chemotherapy, sterile products, and compounding from the National Pharmacy Technician Association. Th en, she joined the Rotary International Group Study Exchange Program and traveled to Taichung, Taiwan, to study technical education systems abroad. Howard believes that these experiences have helped her develop progressive teaching methodologies that will help her students compete for and obtain employment anywhere in the world.

“Th e priority goal I’ve set for the program and our students is excellence. I want the industry to continue to say that Atlanta Tech graduates are well-skilled pharmacy technicians, and I want the students prepared to get the work done on Day One; included in that preparation is the knowledge of the world and their place in it. I encourage students every semester to take the time to look beyond the frame and see how their actions can improve the quality of life for all citizens of the world.”

Charting a bold new

futureTeacher of the Year

leaves corporate America to develop

healthcare talent

PROFILES

10JOURNEYS

PROFILES

Courage

March 27, 2014 is a date that will forever stand out in the mind of Unique

Bunch. It is the day that she heard Ron Jackson, Commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia, announce her as the 2014 Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) GED® Student of the Year for the State of Georgia.

Two short years ago, Unique Bunch was a high school student in her hometown of Lansing, Michigan. She was not a bad student, but issues in her personal life distracted her from reaching her full potential. She found herself in trouble, and, as part of her penance, spent time in a detention center before being released to a girls’ home. Instead of being bitter about that diffi cult time, Unique credits it with giving her time to be alone with her thoughts and see where her life was headed if she did not make some important changes.

“Initially, I suppose I was angry,” Unique recalls. “But I soon realized that I needed the structure that the center and the girls’ home provided. Th at time helped me realize that my life wasn’t on track and that I needed to do something about it.”

With a new outlook, Unique moved to Atlanta and connected with the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA), an arm of the City of Atlanta that provides services and training to help citizens prepare for and secure employment. In turn, AWDA connected her with Atlanta Technical College, its partner in several initiatives helping students to earn a GED® and get on the path to meaningful employment. Th ree weeks after enrolling in the program, Unique had a GED®.

Unique believes that Atlanta Technical College has played a critical role in jumpstarting her future.

“My experience at Atlanta Tech has been beyond anything I could have imagined. In addition to the teachers treating their students respectfully and relating to them as individuals, this educational experience has given me the structure I know I need. It has helped me to pinpoint how to pursue my goals.”

Her goals include an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Atlanta Tech and, eventually, becoming an FBI agent. Until classes begin in May, Unique is learning all that she can at the Police Cadet Academy and is looking forward to an internship with Homeland Security.

With so much going right for Unique, being named the Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) GED® Student of the Year was an unexpected bonus. Th e award, which recognizes the educa-tional achievements and leadership of students who are studying for or have earned their GED® credential, has boosted her confi dence and humbled her. It has also provided her with a new means for getting to class and important appointments. As the winner of the 2014 competition, she receives the grand prize, a new 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer ES that was donated by Jeff Smith, the owner of the Jeff Smith Mitsubishi,Chevrolet, and Ford dealerships in Byron, Georgia.

Unique, perpetually eff ervescent, says, “Th e EAGLE award reminds me that hard work really does pay off . I can’t tell you what a good feeling that is.”

Over the coming year, Unique will travel the state in her new car while she serves as the Georgia’s EAGLE ambassador for adult education. She will be speaking to students, civic groups, legislators, and others about lifelong learning and the importance of earning a GED® credential.

Finding her place

EAGLE student stages

a comeback

PROFILES

12JOURNEYS

Ron Jackson, TCSG Commissioner; Unique Bunch, 2014 Adult Education Student of the Year; Josephine Reed-Taylor, TCSG Deputy Commissioner; Beverly Smith, TCSG Asst. Commissioner for Adult Education.

Industry/education partnerships build a stronger Georgia workforce

Georgia expects to add 483,000 new jobs by 2020, according to the state’s labor department. Almost one fourth of those jobs are projected to be in the allied health fi elds.

It takes more than doctors and nurses to deliver health care to Georgia’s growing and aging population. Th e market place needs a robust pipeline of patient care technicians, dental assistants, radiologic technologists, surgical technicians, pharmacy technicians, dental hygienists, and other clinicians needed to work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, physician offi ces, and home health agencies. Atlanta Technical College is meeting that demand with a grow-ing number of associate degree, diploma, and certifi cate programs in allied health fi elds. “But we can’t do it alone,” says Dr. Queenston Th orpe, Dean of Health and Public Safety Technologies at Atlanta Technical College. “We need the partnerships of business and industry to provide internships and clinical training sites for our students and to ensure that our programs meet the standards of today’s employers. Strong partnerships are a win for everyone and a positive contribution to Georgia’s economy and quality of life.” Th orpe is proud of the college’s investment in the $14.8 million Brenda Watts Jones Allied Health and Technology Complex. With additional classrooms and labs, Atlanta Tech has been able to start fi ve new associate degree programs in allied health: registered nursing, dental hygienist, physical therapy assistant, radiology technology, and surgical technology. “We had a licensed practical nursing program for 30 years, but our community partners told us they needed associate and baccalaureate-prepared nurses. Th at’s the way the profession is going,” says Th orpe. Th rough articulation agreements with four-year Georgia colleges, Atlanta Tech RNs will be able to easily enter the job market or continue for their bachelor’s degrees.

Spending time out in the community with industry leaders helps Th orpe and her program directors shape their content and delivery methods to meet workforce needs. Th rough networking and community outreach, medical experts are recruited to serve

as guest lecturers and mentors. “Our industry partners keep us abreast of market trends and often donate equipment or expertise to improve our instruction,” explains Th orpe. “With the help of modern technology, medical advances are taking place daily. Our guest lecturers help ensure that our students have access to the most contemporary information, thus enriching the learning experience,” she says. Th ey are also enlisted to join program advisory boards where they review the curricula, lab equipment, and instructional methods of all of the technical programs.

Since allied health students are required to complete internships or clinical hours to earn their degrees, certifi cations, or licensure, community partners play a critical role in providing clinical sites and real-world experiences for learning clinicians. Atlanta Tech is proud to have relationships with Grady Health System, Southern Regional Medical Center, and other health care facilities where students go to hone their skills.

“Our partners tell us that they are concerned with attracting and retaining the best employees, so we strive to send our students out ready to work on Day One,” says Th orpe. “We instill work ethics

and soft skills in every course we teach. Our students learn the value of appear-ance, timeliness, respect, teamwork, and communicating with coworkers. When they leave for a clinical rotation, we tell them to consider it an extended job interview and to do their best because they might be looking at their future employer.” Access to wider employment opportunities is a direct benefi t for students. Atlanta Tech’s placement rate is above 97 percent. “Th eir students are stellar,” says Stephanie Rogers, inpatient pharmacy

supervisor at Grady Health System and chairperson of Atlanta Tech’s advisory committee for pharmacy technology.She takes six to nine pharmacy tech interns a year, who each complete 225 clinical hours in the hospital. “We draw only from Atlanta Tech because their program is the only ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) accredited program in the city,” says Rogers. “ASHP standards are very stringent, and we know that these students will have the foundation, skills, and work ethics they need to do the job.”

Working in Grady’s renowned Level 1 trauma center gives pharmacy tech students broad hospital experience, but it also gives the hospital a fi rst look at top talent. “We get to see how they work and fi t in with the rest of the team and that takes a lot of the guess work out of hiring. It makes for a very smooth transition for new employees,” shares Rogers.

PARTNERSHIPS

13JOURNEYS

Prescription for Success

and soft skills in every course we teach. Our students learn the value of appear-ance, timeliness, respect, teamwork, and communicating with coworkers. When they leave for a clinical rotation, we tell them to consider it an extended job interview and to do their best because they might be looking at their future employer.”

Access to wider employment opportunities is a direct benefi t for students. Atlanta Tech’s placement rate is above 97 percent.

“Th eir students are stellar,” says Atlanta Technical College surgical tech students

Demetrica Wright, a Columbus, Georgia, native, enrolled at the University of Georgia

after high school and later entered Columbus University in her home-town. With a new baby to care for, however, she entered the workforce, choosing to leave school behind to focus on being a provider. She began a career with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), later accepting a job transfer to Atlanta. Demetrica remained with BCBS for 13 years, working in the credentialing department, where she helped determine if physicians were meeting company standards.

Th ings were going well for the 35-year-old mother of two. Th en, her entire department was outsourced, and things changed drastically. Demetrica found herself job hunting during a recession and her savings being exhausted as she tried to meet her fi nancial obligations. Despite her eff orts, the home she had worked hard to purchase went into foreclosure, leaving Demetrica anxious about what would happen next. However, like the phoenix with whom Demetrica closely identifi es, she was confi dent in her ability to rise from the proverbial ashes.

“No matter where we come from, no matter our background or color, we all face adversity at some point. Th ings seemed to be falling apart, but I knew that with the right resources, things would work out.”

For Demetrica, Atlanta Technical College was the resource she needed to rebuild her life. “I did my research and I saw that Atlanta Tech off ered the most effi cient program for refreshing my skill set for today’s marketplace. I had experience with four-year institutions, and while they’re the best fi t for many, technical college made sense for me.”

At Atlanta Tech, Demetrica has been the prototype of the phoenix. Majoring in marketing management, she has excelled academically and, most important to her, her goal of being a marketing consultant has been affi rmed. In January 2014, she competed for and won the Atlanta Tech GOAL/Student of the Year competition. GOAL, an acronym for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership, is a statewide program of the Technical College System of Geor-gia (TCSG), which honors excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students. Local GOAL winners are selected at each of the state’s 24 technical colleges as well as at Bainbridge College, the sole Board of Regents college with a technical education division.

Demetrica is using the GOAL/Student of the Year platform to help students – traditional and non-traditional – see the tremendous benefi t of a technical college education. “I advocate for Atlanta Tech and TCSG because my experience – the academics and membership in student organizations – has been so overwhelmingly positive.”

Demetrica has fully immersed herself in the campus community and she encourages others to take advantage of the co-curricular, externship and international educational opportunities off ered at the college. She is a member of the National Technical Honor Society and was recently appointed Collegiate DECA historian. In February, she placed fi rst in Marketing Concepts and second in Marketing Analysis & Decision Making at the Phi Beta Lambda North District Con-ference competition. Th ings continued to improve for her as she placed fi rst in the Marketing Management at the Collegiate DECA Winter Conference. In April, Demetrica is scheduled to travel to Washington, D.C. to compete in the DECA International Career Development Conference, to be followed by a trip to Nashville in June to compete in the Phi Beta Lambda National Leadership Conference.

“Student activities are underutilized treasures. As Student of the Year, I

have made a com-mitment to increase the visibility and, consequently, the membership of our campus clubs and organizations. Th e opportunities are here, and many of them are free-of-charge. For people who want to gain experience and

build their resume, involvement in some form of extra-curricular activity is key. At Atlanta Tech, if you have the drive, the opportunities are endless; you can study in Germany, learn a new language, and get skills that will distinguish you from other candidates.”

Demetrica feels that Atlanta Technical College provides a framework for success by coupling hands-on instruction with academic rigor and access to integrated career-focused experiences; the college is producing graduates that are sought after by leaders in business and industry. “I’ve had face-to-face interaction with employers who tell me I’m on the right track. Atlanta Tech students are prepared, and I’ve seen classmates who have been off ered jobs on the spot. To borrow from one of our former slogans, ‘Atlanta Tech works!’ I am just really honored to represent a college that has done so much for me and for countless others who are ready to rise from the ashes but need to be shown the way.”

Rising from the

ashesAtlanta Tech’s Student

of the Year sets her sights on success

PROFILES

11JOURNEYS

have made a com-mitment to increase the visibility and, consequently, the membership of our campus clubs and organizations. Th e opportunities are here, and many of them are free-of-charge. For people who want to gain experience and

Simira Ait Larayak completed her internship at Grady Health System last year and graduated from the pharmacy tech program in January. “I was always interested in science and good at math, and I liked that pharmacy technology combined customer service and medicine,” says Larayak. “Grady gave me excellent hands-on experience and off ered me a job two weeks after I fi nished my internship. Th at felt really good. I felt very prepared for this career, and I enjoy my work in the IV room and the neonatal pharmacy.”

Atlanta Technical College radiologic tech students participate in clinical rotations at Atlanta Medical Center. Daniel Jackson, chief administrative offi cer at Atlanta Medical Center – South Campus, underscores the importance of students acquiring practical experience prior to entering the allied health fi eld. “Healthcare students need to have a place where they can get hands-on experience in a real-world environment,” explains Jackson. “Collaborations between the private sector and post-secondary institutions give them this opportunity and help to build a better pipeline of students who are prepared for the workplace. An educated and experienced workforce is a critical factor in our ability to provide safe and eff ective care for every patient.”

Graduates like Trineesa Brown are confi rmation that the Atlanta Technical College model works. While enrolled in the practical

nursing diploma program, she was assigned internships with four prominent medical facilities: Grady Memorial Hospital, Grady East Point Clinic, Crestview Rehabilitation Center, and Georgia Regional Hospital. According to Brown, these experiences were invaluable. “I was paired with several diff erent types of medical facilities so I was able to see which type of structure best suited

my career goals,” she explains. “My on-the-job training, coupled with the strong academic preparation I received at Atlanta Tech gave me a competitive edge in the job market.” Brown is now employed as a licensed practical nurse with Kaiser Permanente where she works one-on-one with a physician in the internal medicine department.

Th e robust allied health instructional program at Atlanta Technical College has been such as success that plans are underway to expand both its academic off erings and clinical experiences to address additional shortages in the healthcare industry. “We are working to

form partnerships with a greater number of facilities so that we can increase the number of students who leave us with externship and internship experiences,” says Th orpe. “In addition, we are adding a computer tomography certifi cation to our radiology technology program to give our students specialized skills and greater job opportunities. With this framework in place, we can expand our programs to meet special needs of the medical community and grow a better workforce. Providing skills needed in the market—that’s technical education.”

14JOURNEYS

Trineesa Brown

on-the-job training, coupled with the strong academic preparation I received at Atlanta Tech gave me a competitive edge in the job market.” Brown is now employed as a licensed practical nurse with Kaiser Permanente where she works one-on-one with a physician in the internal medicine department.

Th e robust allied health instructional program at Atlanta Technical College has been such as success that plans are underway to expand both its academic off erings and clinical experiences to address additional shortages in the

Atlanta Medical Center

15JOURNEYS

PARTNERSHIPS

Highfl ying PartnershipDelta Air Lines collaboration helps careers take off

The Atlanta Technical College (ATC) Offi ce of Career Placement forged a new partnership with Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines that will give students an advantage in the

job market.

Under the Aircraft Support Mechanic (ASM) Internship Program, students enrolled in Atlanta Tech’s Aviation Maintenance and Avionics programs have the opportunity to gain real-world experience working alongside professionals at Delta’s Technical Operations Center in Atlanta, Georgia. “Th e Tech Op Center is a maintenance repair facility where Delta employees service and repair aircraft,” explains Oliver Simmons, ATC Aviation Department chair. “Th e students selected for ASM will work on cutting-edge machinery and gain invaluable occupational insights.”

According to Joyce Hameen, Program Manager - University Relations for Delta Air Lines, the alliance is a win for both institutions. “Delta is the world’s largest airline,” she explains. “We operate 13,000 fl ights daily and maintain a mainline fl eet of more than 700 aircraft. In order for us to remain the industry leader, we must have a pipeline of well-educated service technicians to keep us operating at optimal levels. Th e internship initiative gives us the opportunity to see how the best-and-brightest aviation students perform in the workplace. ”

For the students selected for the program, ASM can be the opportunity of a lifetime. “Our participants get to see behind the curtain,” shares Hameen. “As a result, they gain a fi rm understand-ing of our operation, culture, and brand. Th is experience gives them a leg up in the job hunt because they enter the marketplace with a track record of success with a Fortune 500 company.”ATC career placement director, Michael Burnside, agrees. “For students who envision a career in the aviation industry, there may be no better gateway program than ASM. Th e technical training obtained in Delta’s hangars and workspaces helps them transition

from students to employees. Moreover, they are given the unique opportunity to network with the professionals who will be making hiring decisions and recommendations when they graduate.”

While the ASM initiative is a relatively new endeavor—the fi rst rotation began in May 2013—the ATC/Delta affi liation is not new. Th e airline has been a consistent and fervent supporter of the college for many years, donating aviation equipment and funding educational scholarships. Its employees are also keenly engaged with ATC, working on program advisory boards, mentoring students, speaking at campus events, and hosting hiring fairs.

Later this year, the relationship will take another leap forward as Atlanta Technical College adds the Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology to its degree off erings. Th e new program is being implemented to meet industry needs based upon recommendations presented by partners at the airline and by members of the Aviation/Avionics Advisory Board. Graduates of this program will be able to serve as aviation airframe and power plant mechanics and supervisors and meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards as specifi ed in Federal Aviation Regulation, Part 147. Employees with these qualifi cations are in high demand, and it is anticipated that this advanced level of academic preparation will give graduates access to upward mobility at Delta Air Lines and other companies, allowing their careers to take off .

Aviation instructor, Stephen Lipper, with ATC aviation student

16JOURNEYS

PROGRAMS

Dual enrollment program provides multiple bene� ts to high school students

In the March 13, 2014, report on “� e Plummeting Labor Market Fortunes of Teens and Young Adults,” researchers at the Brookings Institution revealed that, in 2012, the Atlanta

metropolitan area ranked 83rd out of the 100 U.S. cities examined for employment of teens aged 16–19. Equally concerning was the disclosure that the area ranked 82 out of 100 for employment of young adults aged 20–24 during the same year. To improve employment trends among both groups, researchers propose an increase in career-focused early intervention encounters, stating, “We can better prepare young people for the work world by more tightly coupling employer demand with education and training; integrating work-based learning like internships, co-ops and apprenticeships into education; and creating stronger pathways from high school to post-secondary credentials.” Early intervention e� orts like the dual enrollment program o� ered by Atlanta Technical College (ATC) help students successfully transition into adulthood. ATC Dual Enrollment is a collaborative initiative between the college, local K-12 school systems, the Department of Education, and the HOPE program that allows quali� ed high school juniors and seniors to earn credits toward their high school diploma, while simultaneously getting a head start on a college credential. “We tell our students that there is no downside to dual enrollment,” says Brené Bradley, Education and Career Partner-ship Coordinator with Atlanta Public Schools. “Students can earn weighted high-school credits, learn valuable work skills, and get a taste of college-level work at virtually no cost to them. � is is a high-quality learning experience.” Sydney Long, a junior at Maynard Jackson High School, spends part of her day taking classes in the Microsoft Networking Administrator program taught by an Atlanta Technical College instructor who comes to her school. At the end of the program, she will be able to sit for the national certi� cation exam at a vastly reduced student fee and claim a valuable skill on her resume. “I haven’t decided yet where I want to go to college, or what � eld I want to pursue, but I know whatever I choose that technology will be a part of it,” says Long. “Understanding the behind-the-screen workings of a computer will be a good skill to have and it could lead to a very successful career.”

Long’s Atlanta Technical College information technology instructor, Anissa Ferrell, has been teaching high school students about computers and the importance of higher education since 2004. “It’s rewarding. � ey have to meet the college requirements to get in and be disciplined enough to do the work, but it gives them a jump start on what to expect from college and the working world,” she says. Most of her students go on to college. In fact, four of her students from the Jackson High Class of 2013, enrolled in Atlanta Technical College. � ey have found their IT skills to be helpful in securing better summer jobs, internships, and scholarships. Dual enrollment is a timely and less-expensive way to earn a technical certi� cate of credit from Atlanta Technical College. It is also an excellent option for those who may decide to matriculate at a four-year institution after graduation. “Having earned some college credits in high school looks great on a student’s transcript and it could even help them get into a four-year school,” says Betty Kennebrew, dual enrollment monitor and work-based learning coordinator at Clayton County Public Schools. “It is an ideal vehicle to prepare students for the next phase of their life and provide them with viable options.” Dual enrollment tuition costs are covered by the HOPE grant, and those hours do not decrease the HOPE Scholarship or grant hours they could qualify for in college. “It’s not an either/or proposition, but an additional opportunity to start early on their future career path.” Mister Harper heard about the dual enrollment program at Jonesboro High School. � e junior took and passed the ASSET of reading, writing, and math skills to qualify, and enrolled in the Patient Care Assisting program o� ered by Atlanta Tech at the Perry Center for Learning’s Career Center, a high school career academy. “Because a lot of people in my family have had heart problems, I want to be a cardiologist,” says Harper. “� is program allows me to get into health care as early as possible.” Harper has already taken courses in medical terminology and nutrition and will be learning clinical skills this spring. Upon graduation, he will be able to sit for the state’s certi� ed nursing assistant exam to become licensed. “� at means I could work in health care while going to college,” he says. “� ese courses are harder than high school ones, but they are really interesting. Dual enrollment was a good decision for me.”

Bridging the gapSydney Long Mister Harper

PROGRAMS

New programs aim to supply needed industrial engineering and systems technicians for Georgia’s industries

During the economic downturn, one of the most hard-hit industries was skilled trades. Workers in manufacturing, construction and materials distribution were sidelined

when companies closed, moved overseas, or reorganized using new technology for more e� cient operations. Today, the U.S. economy is on the upswing and there is resurgence in skilled trade employment. According to the 2014 Georgia Manufacturers Register®, an industry directory published annually by Manufacturers’ News, Inc., Georgia gained 7,769 manufacturing jobs from May 2012 to May 2013. � is represents a 1.6 percent uptick. “Georgia’s industrial climate continues to improve,” says Tom Dubin, President of Manufacturers’ News, Inc., which has been surveying industry since 1912. “� e state’s reasonable labor costs and friendly business environment continue to result in many companies investing in its manufacturing sector, particularly those in the auto/transportation equipment industries.”

While jobseekers are � nding that employment has gained momentum, they are also � nding that their skills are outdated. Employers have upped threshold requirements and expect candidates to bring a higher caliber of readiness to the table. Several years ago, administrators at Atlanta Technical College (ATC) forecasted this shift in training requirements and traveled to Felix-Fechenbach School in Germany to observe the European pedagogy that was put in place to prepare workers for the high skilled industries of robotics, mechatronics, and engineering. Armed with the knowledge obtained during the exchange trip, and from U.S. industry leaders, the college created two associate degree programs, industrial engineering (IE) and industrial systems technology (IST). Samuel Afuwape, chair of the industrial technology department at Atlanta Technical College explains that industry input was a critical component to developing a timely educational program. “We worked with the Georgia Engineering Alliance and local industry advisors to align our curricula and lab equipment with the most current needs of Georgia industries and businesses,” he says. As a result, IST students will study programmable logic controllers, computers, electronics, industrial wiring, controls,

New programs aim to supply needed While jobseekers are � nding that employment has gained While jobseekers are � nding that employment has gained

17JOURNEYS

Engineering great careersPROGRAMS

motorized instrumentation, � uid power, and mechanical pumps and piping in order to be able to maintain, and improve those systems in a work environment.

IE students will learn how to layout machinery and equipment, plan work� ows, conduct statistical production studies, and ana-lyze production costs. Consequently, they will be able to predict and solve operating problems in order keep companies operating at optimum e� ciency and cost-e� ectiveness. “� ese students will learn how to extract data, to create models and graphs, and to analyze systems to increase overall productivity,” says Afuwape.

When asked about the di� erentiation between the two programs of study, Afuwape shares, “� ere is a lot of overlap in the curricula for IE and IST, but engineering students will learn more about the processes, while industrial systems students will know more about the industrial machinery within the process.“

He notes that both occupations require excellent analytical, critical thinking, deductive reasoning, and communication skills. “To succeed, students will need to be good at math, interested in science, and have a desire to understand how machines and computer systems work,” he explains. “� ey must also have a passion for solving complex problems.”

Students enrolled in IE and IST will spend a signi� cant amount of time in state-of-the-art labs honing their skills on million dollar training equipment obtained through a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. � ey will also engage in capstone projects where they will work on the real-world problems of local companies.

According to the chair, the ultimate goal of the degree programs is to give graduates options for the future. “Our Industrial Engineering and Industrial Systems graduates will be able to � nd entry-level jobs at salaries of $40,000 to $50,000 on average, or they’ll be able to continue their education to earn a baccalaureate degree,” says Afuwape. “� e Technical College System of Georgia has an articulation agreement with the Southern Polytechnic State University that will allow ATC students to apply their credits to advance studies programs there.”

� ose who chose to enter the workforce can � nd gainful employment with companies such as Caterpillar; Baxter International Inc.; Georgia Power; CSX; AECOM; AMEC Engineering; GE Transportation; and many others.

Industrial engineering and industrial systems technology classes will start in the fall with Atlanta Technical College accepting 22 students into each program.

motorized instrumentation, � uid power, and mechanical pumps motorized instrumentation, � uid power, and mechanical pumps

18JOURNEYS

Shifting the education paradigmNew Atlanta Tech programs accelerates opportunities to employment

The 2011 U.S. Census revealed that more than 39 million adults, aged 16 and older, lacked a high school credential and were not enrolled in an education program. � at

same year, the number of Georgians without a diploma or GED® certi� cate topped 1,283,830.

In this era when postsecondary education has become the arbiter of economic opportunity, it has become necessary to employ innovative education models to provide these citizens with e� cient and e� ective methods for obtaining a GED® and a college education in a short period of time.

Atlanta Technical College (ATC) has partnered with several prominent community organizations to put in place second-chance career education programs that will allow participants to work towards earning a GED® and, at the same time, a technical certi� cate of credit.

� e � rst program, Accelerating Connections to Employment (ACE) began in August 2014, and is presented in partnership with the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA). Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, the program allows unemployed Georgians to obtain an education, and meet the threshold requirements for gainful employment. AWDA screens applicants and eligible candidates are enrolled in ATC where they select one of two tracts, the eight-month pharmacy technology channel or the four-month medical billing and coding path. At the conclusion of the program, graduates leave with both a GED® and a technical certi� cate of credit in their � eld of study.

� e second program, Accelerating Opportunities (AO), is a Jobs For the Future ( JFF) initiative which focuses on jobs, the economy, and improving opportunities for adults. � is initiative allows Adult Literacy/GED® prep students who score at a High Intermediate level on the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) in Reading, Math, and Language Arts to dually enroll in technical certi� cation of credit programs to earn their GED® and college credentials simultaneously at an accelerated pace. AO’s use of non-traditional evidence based instructional strategies provides adult learners with marketable, stackable, credit bearing certi� cates and degrees, as well as assists with college and career readiness. � e goal of JFF is to drive economic recovery for individuals

and communities by substantially increasing the number of work-ready adults in family sustaining jobs. � e Center for Working Families is an Atlanta Technical College AO funding partner who is instrumental in providing opportunities for adults who have been dislocated from the workforce, unemployed, underemployed, or are simply in need of a second chance to a� ordable educational opportunities leading to a sustainable career path. � e ACE and AO models are innovative because they create seamless paths from unemployment to self-su� ciency, giving participants access to employment opportunities that otherwise would not be available to them. ACE and AO also provide sustainable human capital for industries experiencing a shortage of quali� ed workers. “Without a GED® and post-secondary education, many people are trapped in a cycle of low-income jobs,” states Dr. Alvetta Peterman � omas, president of ATC. “� ese programs give participants the opportunity to overcome systematic barriers and build their capacity in a short amount of time.” A college education was always on the agenda for Averia Grogan. She performed well in school and set lofty goals for her academic

career. However, when she was 16 years old, her plans were derailed by the death of her grandmother, who had been the sole provider for Averia and her � ve siblings. Averia assumed the role of caregiver for her younger brothers and sisters, who ranged in age from one to six years. Without childcare and the resources for basic survival, she missed so many days of high school that the administrators withdrew her from the institution. Over time, Averia managed to secure employment but could never advance because of her educational de� cit. After years of hardship, she reached a break-

ing point and decided to change her life. She feverishly searched the internet for workforce development programs. One night she came across the City of Atlanta webpage and was instantly drawn to the announcement for the ACE program. � e program provided the three things she desired most: assistance acquiring a GED®, tuition-free education, and guaranteed job placement. � erefore, at the age of 33, Averia returned to school to pursue her dream of a career in pharmacy. She explains, “I am so thankful for this opportunity. I have friends who are in their 40s and are still paying back their student loans. To be able to earn my GED® and get a college education for free is a blessing.” Averia’s hard work and dedication have already impressed her instructors. “Ms. Grogan is one of the most impressive students I have encountered in all of my years of teaching,” states Robbie Howard, pharmacy technology program director. “During the � rst week, she sought out and met with campus advisors to map out a plan to achieve her academic and career goals.” Upon complet-ing the ATC ACE program, Averia intends to work for CVS Pharmacy and enroll in the pharmacy technology associate degree program at ATC. After graduation, she plans to pursue a doctor of pharmacy degree at Mercer University.

PROGRAMS

19JOURNEYS

old, her plans were derailed by the death of her grandmother, who had been the sole provider for Averia and her � ve siblings. Averia assumed the role of caregiver for her younger brothers and sisters, who ranged in age from one to six years. Without childcare and the resources for basic survival, she missed so many days of high school that the administrators withdrew her from the institution.

Over time, Averia managed to secure employment but could never advance because of her educational de� cit. After

Jennifer Lilly and Sara Cooper

Like Averia, 29-year-old Jennifer Lilly discovered that quality employment was beyond her reach without an education. Although Jennifer did walk across the stage at her high school graduation ceremony in 2003, she did not pass a portion of the graduation test, and, therefore, did not receive a diploma. In the 10 years since she left high school, Jennifer has held a series of low-wage, low-skilled jobs. “I tried to get a good job, but you can’t do much without a GED® and a college education,” she says. “I have two kids, and I want to do more to provide for them.” Jennifer admits that her parents had to do quite a bit of arm twisting to get her to sign up for the ACE program. “Initially I was scared,” she says. “The thought of coming to a college campus to get a GED® was intimidating. I thought people would judge me.” However, her viewpoint changed completely when she stepped on campus. “Everyone at Atlanta Tech has made me feel welcome. There is no stigma; we are treated as first-level pharmacy tech students.” Jennifer was even impressed with the extent to which staff and administrators have gone to help the ACE students overcome the auxiliary barriers to their education. “Finding affordable childcare for my two-year-old has been a big obstacle for me, and I put off going back to school to take care of my child,” she says. “Atlanta Tech has an on-site childcare center that is safe, comfortable, and appealing. I have so much support here that I am now confident that I will be successful in this program.” Twenty-six year old Jarrez Lowe is the father of an eight-year old son. He acknowledges that he made poor choices in high school that derailed his dreams of attending college. “During my sophomore year in high school, I hung out with the wrong crowd and ended up in legal trouble,” explains Jarrez. “For several years, I was headed down the wrong path but after the birth of my son, I had to look at life through a new window and try new things. I had to grow so that my child could grow.” Jarrez enrolled in the AO carpentry program at ATC. He is a star student and has plans to re-enroll in ATC after completing AO to further his carpentry skills. “I was nervous about going back to school but Atlanta Tech has a very supportive environ-ment. They give you more than the academics; they teach you life skills so that you can transition into the real-world of work and are successful.” “The ATC ACE and AO programs are tangible steps in addressing workforce development issues,” says Dr. Thomas. “We are shifting the paradigm, working in a very intentional way to give individuals marketable skills to meet the needs of the industries that are suffering from worker shortages.” According to The National Center for Education Statistics, young adults ages 25-34 who attain an associate degree earn a median income of $37,000 a year versus the $22,900 earned by their peers who do not have a high school diploma or equivalent. With the help of ACE and AO, Averia, Jennifer, Jarrez and their classmates have a framework for success and are now on the path to more prolific job possibilities and higher wages.

20JOURNEYS Jarrez Lowe

Learning to succeedGovernment agencies and nonpro� ts meet goals with the help of Economic Development

According to Forbes Magazine, U.S. corporate spending on employee training soared to over $60 billion last year, an increase of more than 15 percent over 2012. Corporate

leaders invested in training as a means of achieving a competitive advantage, bolstering pro� ts, and better serving customers.

Research indicates that not-for-pro� t, government and social service agencies also bene� t from employee development programs. However, many administrators shy away from continuous learning, believing that it is too costly at a time when their budgets and resources are shrinking.

� e Atlanta Technical College Economic Development Division (EDD) has been working with local municipalities and community collaboratives to spread the message that a� ordable training and testing services are available right in their own communities.

“At Atlanta Tech, our approach to economic development includes a broad range of services and products that are not generally thought of as economic development initiatives,” says Warren Pincombe, economic development specialist. “While many people are acquainted with the Dennard Conference Center, which is made available to paying clients who wish to host non-college events, they are not as familiar with the services we provide to non-pro� ts and government agencies through our customized training and Professional Assessment Center.”

� rough customized contract training (CCT), Atlanta Technical College develops and delivers instructional programs tailored to meet the speci� c needs of the client. Using CCT, organizations can address de� ciencies in technical competencies or soft skills. For years, corporate clients, such as � e Coca-Cola Company, Sara Lee, and Delta Air Lines, have used these Atlanta Tech

services to improve employee performance. Now, the college’s vice president of economic development, Harold Craig, has noticed that an increasing number of public sector managers are following the lead of their corporate counterparts and investing in training. “� e marketplace is changing rapidly,” says Craig. “Government o� cials and agency leaders are realizing that they need to have a learning strategy in place. Since many of them cannot a� ord to hire training personnel, they solicit our assistance with training and development.”

Two clients that turned to Atlanta Tech to build employee capacity were the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Atlanta Public Schools. � e EPA contracted with Atlanta Tech to provide a series of one-day classes in Microsoft O� ce over a period of nine months. Atlanta Public Schools enlisted the help of CCT specialists to enhance the skillset of employees in the warehouse division.

“� e Atlanta Public Schools Warehouse sta� received outstanding forklift training from Atlanta Technical College,” said James Carter, logistics supply supervisor. “Our sta� learned the most recent industry work ethics and safety procedures. � e trainer also analyzed our equipment and operating practices and

provided recommendations for performance improvement. As a result of our partnership with Atlanta Tech, we are more e� cient and productive.”

While cost is one of the motivating factors for using Atlanta Tech’s services, Pincombe explains that the � exibility o� ered through CCT is also attractive to clients. “Our specialists are available to deliver training at the time and location that best accommodates our clients,” he says. “While an average contract can last anywhere from two to three months, we work with clients to structure the best curriculum for their needs. As a result, training may last for one week or only one day; it all depends on what the client needs.”

� e increasingly diverse nature of local communities has also impacted the scope of training that is now being requested. As work environments become highly interactive and highly multi-cultural, public sector employers are recognizing the need for soft skills training. One example of this is the City of College Park. In 2010, city o� cials hired Atlanta Tech to provide customer service and sensitivity training for all employees. � is initiative led to improved customer relations and performance outcomes.

21JOURNEYS

PROGRAMS

22JOURNEYS

As a result of the community awareness e� orts of the EDD team, an increasing number of agency leaders are discovering that the college can provide additional resources to help them reach goals. One example is the Professional Assessment and Certi� cation (PAC) Center. � rough the PAC, social service agencies, public school systems, and private employers can measure employee skill pro� ciency. � ey can also use the center’s services to help clients acquire certi� cations often needed to enter the workforce.

� e PAC Center is currently used by American College Testing to administer COMPASS exams, which measure the aptitude of students preparing for post-secondary education, most often at technical colleges. In the past, Atlanta Technical College partnered with the Clayton County Chamber’s Prevention Plus, Inc. – a nonpro� t organization that provides education and vocational services to high-risk youth – to provide COMPASS preparation. “� e on-site COMPASS Training provided by ATC has been vital in bridging the gap to college for our students,” explains Tammy Miller, executive director of Prevention PLUS,

Inc. “� is experience strengthens our work of preparing our students for college and helps them gain the much needed con� dence to excel.” As a result of the success of the Prevention PLUS initiative, a similar program is in development with College Park’s McClarin High School.

According to Craig, the EDD services are multilayered to address the complex and ever-evolving needs of the community. “If neighborhood partners require CCT, PAC services or even professional certi� cation training, specialists are available to assess their needs and develop a strategy for a� ordable and innovative capacity building programs,” says Craig. “Atlanta Tech is good for growth. We provide the resources for their customers to boost e� ciency, to reach goals, and to serve our constituents better. Together, we are building stronger, more sustainable communities.”

ART

S SH

OWIn honor of Atlanta Celebrates

Photography Month, Atlanta Technical College and Arts Clayton

presented the First Annual Atlanta Technical College Student Photography Show. � e theme for the exhibit was Life in Focus and more than 25 original images captured by Atlanta Technical College design and media students were featured. Life in Focus was held at the Arts Clayton Gallery in Jonesboro from October 11 - 25, 2013.

� e Church by Connie Cross

Man on a train by Jamarqus McNair

Kneed Me by Deborah Johnson

1560 Metropolitan Parkway, SW • Atlanta, Georgia 30310

Atlanta Technical College • 1560 Metropolitan Parkway, SW • Atlanta, Georgia 30310 • 404.225.4400 • www.atlantatech.edu

JOURNEYSi n t o t h e w o r l d o f a t l a n t a t e c h n i c a l c o l l e g e

1560 Metropolitan Parkway, SW • Atlanta, Georgia 30310t 404.225.4493 • f 770.357.1397 • cld@atlantatech.edu

http://www.atlantatech.edu/confcenter/conference-center.php

Host your next event at the Dennard Conference Center

The Cleveland L. Dennard Conference Center is a state-of-the-art event facility located on the campus of Atlanta Technical College. It is three miles south of Turner Field and just 15 minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Parking is free and there are a variety of event and catering packages available.

The Dennard Conference Center has more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space that can be configured to meet your needs. So, if you are hosting a trade show, business meet-ing, wedding, conference, bar mitzvah, holiday party, banquet or seminar, we invite you to consider the Dennard Conference Center, one of Atlanta’s premiere event venues.

dennardconference

center@Atlanta Technical College