(Marietta, Ga. – Feb. 6, 2015) The Chattahoochee Tech Foundation recently welcomed two new trustees to the board that governs the 501 (c)(3) organization that provides philanthropic support to the college, its students, and programs.

The two new trustees include:

Randy Gravley is President and CEO of Tri-State Communications Inc., Exponent Broadcasting Inc., as well as Vice President of BMG Broadcasting Inc. Gravley’s companies own and operate five radio stations in North Georgia. Gravley is a former Chairman of the board of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB), Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, A-Day for Reinhardt University and United Way of Cherokee. Gravley currently serves on the board of directories of the National Association of Broadcasters, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Foundation Board, Lanier Joint Development Authority and the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. Randy is a graduate of both Leadership Cherokee (Class of 1997) as well as Leadership Georgia (Class of 2006). Gravley was also named to the “40 Under 40” by Georgia Trend Magazine.

Jeff Moon, who is currently the City Manager for the City of Woodstock, holds a M.S. degree in economic development from the University of Southern Mississippi and a B.S. degree in social science education from Troy University. He began serving as city manager for the City of Woodstock, GA on April 15, 2008. From February 2001 until April 2008, he served as city administrator for the City of Orange Beach, AL. Jeff is married to Nancy and has two daughters and one son.

The Chattahoochee Tech Foundation advances the mission and vision of Chattahoochee Technical College through emergency and special request funds, merit based scholarships, and program support. The Foundation, which is a private, non-profit organization, receives support for this from individuals, businesses, corporations and other foundations. Members serve for one and three year terms with officers serving two year terms.

In other business at the board’s recent meeting, trustees voted to elect its officers to the board’s executive committee. Officers include:

Don Barbour, Chair

Don Barbour is the Regional Director of External Affairs with AT&T. In his current position, Barbour represents AT&T before business, civic, community, cultural, educational, economic, and government groups in 17 northwest Georgia counties.

Barbour has worked at AT&T and Bellsouth since 1981. He began his career as an analyst and worked his way up through three different management positions to his current job.

Barbour is a Marietta native who graduated from Marietta High School in 1974. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Emory University in 1978 and a Master of Business Administration degree in business management from the University of Tennessee in 1980.

He also volunteers his time as Chair of the Paulding County Chamber of Commerce Executive Board. Previously, he served as the vice-chair of the Chattahoochee Tech Foundation.

Jason Anavitarte, Vice-Chair

Anavitarte is Kaiser Permanente’s Government Relations Officer and Public Affairs, responsible for governmental and community relations throughout metro Atlanta and Georgia. Anavitarte has helped develop and maintain relationships with city, county, state and federal elected officials in Georgia and throughout the U.S.

He also manages Kaiser Permanente’s Member Advisory Council made up of 45 members which provides strategic recommendations for Kaiser Permanente and its board of advisors. Anavitarte serves the community through several board appointments, including Cobb’s Competitive EDGE Initiative, People to People International Atlanta Chapter, and the Christian Athletes Atlanta.

Susan Stephens, Treasurer

Susan Stephens is a native of Cartersville Bartow County. She holds a BS in Business Administration from Shorter College. She is a graduate of Leadership Rome. Stephens owns Susan Stephens Designs, a full service interior decorating company, in Cartersville. Stephens served as chair of the North Metro Tech Foundation for two terms. She serves as secretary on the Waterford Homeowners Board of Directors, volunteers on the Bartow Cartersville Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Luncheon Committee and the Chamber’s Cook- Out Committee. She previously served as President of the Cartersville Noon Optimist Club and a former board member of Habitat for Humanity.

Mark Goddard, Secretary

Mark Goddard is a native of Cherokee County. He graduated from Etowah High School in 1991 and earned a BBA in Marketing and Professional Sales from Kennesaw State University. Goddard is the Manager of Commercial Marketing for Cobb EMC; he has been with Cobb EMC since 1997. He is a past Chairman of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the 2013 A-Day for Reinhardt University, and serves on the joint development authority for Cobb and Cherokee counties. Mark is a former member of the Cherokee County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and a newly appointed member of the Development Authority of Cherokee County. He is a graduate of Leadership Cherokee and was recognized as one of the top 10 in 10 young professionals in Cherokee County. He and his wife Jennifer have been married since 1997 and have two children.

For more information on the Chattahoochee Tech Foundation, call 770-528-4522 or visit www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu/foundation.

(Acworth, Ga. – Feb. 5, 2015) Chattahoochee Technical College announced recently that it will be offering an introductory welding class at the Bartow County College and Career Academy.

The class will start on March 9 and run for eight weeks with classes on Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 to 9:30 each evening. The course, which allows students to earn 3 credit hours toward a diploma in Welding and Joining Technology from Chattahoochee Technical College, provides an introduction to welding technology with an emphasis on basic welding laboratory principles and operating procedures. Topics for the course include industrial safety and health practices, hand tool and power machine use, measurement, laboratory operating procedures, welding power sources, welding career potentials and introduction to welding codes and standards.

This class is the first of a series of classes in the Welding and Joining Technology Program at Chattahoochee Technical College. The diploma-level program consists of 50 credit hours of program level classes that have been taught at the college’s Appalachian Campus in Jasper and the Paulding Campus in Dallas.

According to Go Build Georgia, welding, the process of fastening two pieces of metal together by softening with heat and applying pressure, is a versatile trade that equips welders to work in a variety of industries. Several other construction trades, such as pipefitters, boilermakers and sheet metal workers, incorporate welding skills. Welding is also used to join beams during the construction of buildings, bridges and other structures. These tradesmen often work from blueprints, using their knowledge and training to determine the best way to join the parts. In 2012, the average annual wage in Georgia was $34,110 with most people making between $24,670 and $45,860.

To register for the class, prospective students will need to apply to the college and submit all required documents by Feb. 27. Welding students who are also eligible for the HOPE Grant program are eligible for the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant. This grant, which pays $125 to $500 a semester based on credit hours enrolled, can be applied toward tuition, fees, or other education-related expenses. Students may apply for financial assistance at Fafsa.ed.gov.

For more information, email Carla Smith at carla.smith@chattahoocheeTech.edu or call 770-606-5800 x3015.

(Marietta, Ga. – Feb. 11, 2015) Building toys that actually work, designing robots made from Legos, working as a pit crew to design and build racing vehicles, or learning to create a video game that will focus on racing, are all opportunities for elementary and middle school students during Spring Break at Chattahoochee Technical College. In partnership with Metro Atlanta Engineering for Kids, Chattahoochee Technical College will host four different camps for Pre-K through eighth graders at its Marietta Campus. Scheduled for April 6-10, the camps will be offered for both half day and full day time slots.

“I’m excited about the camps because this is what it’s all about: bridging that gap between the communities we serve and our institution,” said Chattahoochee Technical College Economic Development Technical Programs Coordinator Raushanah Butler. “With our high schools offering S.T.E.M. Magnet programs and our elementary and middle schools integrating these components into every day curriculum, it is vital that we do our part in ensuring that we continue the momentum that has been built up over the school year.”

Full day sessions will run $299 and last from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a break for students to eat the lunch they brought from home. Half day sessions are available from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for $195.

For Pre-K through second grade students there are two camp options. Camps include:

Junior Robotics: Amazing Mechanisms: The morning session includes this class that mixes fun and learning using LEGO® WeDo™ Robots. With LEGO® bricks, students will build a dancing bird, a smart spinner and a drumming monkey. They also learn how to program and operate their creations using a laptop computer.

Junior Mechanical Engineering: Let’s Make Toys: The afternoon class introduces the youngest of engineers to fundamental concepts of energy, materials and movement. Students explore and construct six different toys throughout this unit, including spinners, magical boomerang cans, wind-up whirligigs and more.

Older students from third through eighth grade will have the opportunity to participate in two different camps.

Momentum Madness: During the morning session students will focus on how fast an object can go without compromising safety. Students in this camp will work with their pit crew to design and build vehicles such as dragsters and hovering levitrons.

Video Game Design: Racing Games: The afternoon session of this week-long camp will also have a race theme as students can create their own video games by designing a racetrack, race cars and an environment for the competition. At the end of the camp, students take home a copy of the game they created.

For more information about these camp sessions, visit https://engineeringforkids.com/location/metroatlanta/camps. For questions about the camps, contact Raushanah Butler at 770-529-2369.

(Marietta, Ga. – Feb. 19, 2015) More than 60 companies, organizations and universities will be at the Marietta Campus of Chattahoochee Technical College March 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to recruit students, alumni and community members. A wide range of companies will be represented seeking students and graduates in all programs for positions including entry-level, experienced, trainees, seasonal and full-time positions. With the theme of Steer Your Future, the event is being held in partnership with Georgia Department of Labor and Goodwill of North Georgia – Smyrna Career Center.

Participants in the Career and College Expo can should sign in at the atrium between buildings B and C and visit tables set up along the hallways of the adjacent buildings. Lists of participating companies and staff will be available to point people in the right direction. Additionally, there will be workshops for job seekers that include topics on what employers want and professional/social etiquette. Participants will also have the opportunity to have a free professional headshot taken for LinkedIn and other social media sites for career searches.

Chattahoochee Technical College Career Services Coordinator Annette Davis suggests participants research the companies prior to attending and become knowledgeable about the products and/or services the various companies offer.

“In addition, participants should target the companies that have positions in the field(s) they are interested in first, then visit some of the other companies,” said Davis. “Prepare a one minute commercial that summarizes your skills, qualifications, experience and goals. Practice this until you feel comfortable using this as your opening. Anticipate the employers asking interview questions and practice your responses. Remember that you want to leave a lasting first impression with the employers.”

Davis stresses the importance of preparation for events like the Chattahoochee Technical College Career and College Expo. Participants and encouraged to come with copies of their resume and dressed professionally for an interview. Resume and interview tips are available online at chattahoocheetech.edu/career-services/. Current students and graduates may also have their resumes critiqued and practice interviewing skills prior to the event by making an appointment with Career Services.

Impressions are important, according to Davis. Dressing professionally, having a great resume and practicing answers are the first step. Firm handshakes, making eye contact and showing interest in the organization are also necessary.

For more information on Chattahoochee Technical College and its programs visit www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu or call 770-528-4545.

(Marietta, Ga. – Feb. 19, 2015) Chattahoochee Technical College announced recently its participation in three new High School Summits geared toward letting students know about the options available for earning college credit while still in high school. Chattahoochee Technical College will be among several other colleges and universities participating in the events, including Kennesaw State University, Georgia Highlands College, Georgia Perimeter College, Reinhardt University and others.

Open to students from eighth through eleventh grade, participants will learn more about the College Credit Now programs at local colleges and universities, as well as meet with representatives from the Georgia Department of Education. Information will be presented in theater style settings, as well as through one on one question and answers at the various college tables.

Upcoming events include:

Cherokee County Sequoyah High School 4485 Hickory Road, Canton, GA 30115 February 25, 2015 7:30 p.m.

Paulding County Chattahoochee Tech’s Paulding Campus 400 Nathan Dean Blvd., Dallas, GA 30132 March 4, 2015 6:30 p.m.

Cobb County Campbell High School 5265 Ward Street, Smyrna, GA 30080 March 12, 2015 6:00 p.m.

College Credit Now programs are geared toward students still in high school and include Accel, Dual Enrollment, Joint Enrollment and Move on When Ready. Students can earn both high school and college credit, depending on the program.

For more information visit www.chattahoocheetech.edu/enrollment/admissions/enrollment-for-current-high-school-students/ or email collegecreditnow@chattahoocheetech.edu.

(Acworth, Ga. – March 2, 2015) Chattahoochee Technical College was recently announced as a simulcast location for the largest convergence of leaders in the world – Leadercast 2015. Business and Community leaders in the area can access the knowledge and experience of world-renowned leaders by attending Leadercast at Chattahoochee Technical College’s North Metro Campus on May 8, 2015.

The Leadercast event, a brand that builds “Leaders Worth Following,” is broadcast live from Atlanta to hundreds of sites around the world. The 2015 simulcast will feature the following speakers:

• Andy Stanley, leadership author and communicator;
• Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Laureate and founder of The Malala Fund;
• Ed Catmull, president of Pixar & Disney Animation Studios;
• Seth Godin, innovative thinker and best-selling author;
• Rudy Giuliani, 107th mayor of New York City from 1993-2001;
• Aja Brown, mayor of the city of Compton, California;
• Bill McDermott, CEO of SAP AG;
• Commander Rorke Denver, Navy SEAL Commander and author; and
• Bill and Giuliana Rancic, award-winning personalities and co-hosts of Leadercast.

Leadercast exists to change positively the way the world thinks about leadership. This year’s theme – The Brave Ones – will explore what it means to lead in a way that creates bold cultures, builds faithful employees, and produces high achievement.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chattahoochee Technical College North Metro Campus in Acworth. Registration is available online at a cost of $75 for participants and includes attendee journals, discussion guides and lunch.

For more information about Leadercast, visit www.Leadercast.com. For local ticketing or registration information, call 770-528-4550.

(Marietta, Ga. – March 4, 2015) The Chattahoochee Technical College Libraries will be recognizing Women’s History Month with a large collection of resources with information about famous women and related topics. Celebrated in the month of March, Women’s History Month highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.

“It is a time to pay tribute to the generations of women whose commitment to nature and the planet have proved invaluable to society,” said Chattahoochee Technical College Director of Libraries Barbara Moore. “It’s also an opportunity for us to learn through biographies of famous women, stats and facts about women and more.”

Students, faculty, and staff can visit www.chattahoocheetech.edu/services/library/ to search the Chattahoochee Technical College Libraries’ catalog for women’s history. Resources available through the catalog include books, online tools, and articles. Topics include a wide variety of subjects and events related to women’s history.

For more information on this and other services provided by the Chattahoochee Technical College Library, students and faculty are encouraged to speak with a librarian at any of the college campuses or visit www.chattahoocheetech.edu/services/library/.

(Acworth, Ga. – March 5, 2015) For two years Chattahoochee Technical College Office of Service Learning has hosted an event to learn more about the effects and prevention of child sexual abuse and sex trafficking. In its third year, the Chattahoochee Technical College Service Learning Conference will focus on mental health with a one day conference hosted April 23 at the North Metro Campus in Acworth.

The goal of the collaborative event is to integrate multiple disciplines and programs, by highlighting different approaches to issues facing students and the community. Speakers will provide information that will be helpful to healthcare professionals, community leaders, public safety personnel, parents and students. The focus of the conference will concentrate on medical, social and legal aspects of those coping with various mental health issues.

In previous years we have held conferences on Child Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking Prevention,” said Sociology Instructor and Faculty Director of Service Learning Leigh Keever. “We wanted to develop a new conference to address current community needs in the areas our students work and live, as well as address a need for those agencies and organizations in our area who can benefit from student engagement and awareness to community issues. In addition, we want to facilitate breaking the stigma that comes with mental illness.

This multidisciplinary event offers several workshops presented by recognized experts from the field. Professionals receive practical instruction, the latest research and information, and the opportunity to develop and enhance their skills and knowledge about the issues of mental health. On hand will be various mental health representatives from Cobb, Cherokee, Paulding, Bartow and Fulton counties, as well as sessions that offer POST credit to individuals working in the field of criminal justice. Notable speakers include Fulton County Chief Jailer Mark Adger, Cobb County Superior Court Judge Mary Staley and Catheryn Coone-McCrary of the National Alliance on Mental Illness – In Our Own Voices.

As a part of the college’s service learning initiative, students will play a large role in the activities of the day. According to Keever, students will complete service learning projects to illustrate how they are learning about mental illness in their classes. Criminal Justice, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Sociology, English, Public Speaking, and several Nursing students will be contributing to student presentations for conference participants and mental health organizations.

More information and registration for the free event is available at www.chattahoocheetech.edu/service-learning.

(Acworth, Ga. – March 9, 2015) Fifteen students, along with faculty from Chattahoochee Technical College will board a bus March 11 for North Carolina State University in hopes of returning as the best of the best at the 39^th annual Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) Student Career Days. The three day event includes seminars, a career fair and is highlighted by a competition where students will be pitted against more than 60 other colleges and more than 850 students in a hands-on, academic competition.

Twice students from Chattahoochee Technical College have taken home the trophy for the highest score and best performance out of more than 60 competing schools. Additionally several of the last few Superstar students (the individual with the highest score in five events) have also come from the college’s Acworth Campus.

“We certainly feel the pressure of this tradition of excellence,” said Horticulture Instructor John Hatfield. “Our students on this team are taking on this event as an extra responsibility to their already busy lives. They are studying and practicing in addition to their classes, jobs and family responsibilities.”

This year’s team is the smallest that Hatfield can remember sending to the event with only 15 members. Additionally, most of the team is comprised of newcomers to the event, as only four of the 15 have competed previously.

“This is a team that is dedicated and really hungry for a good showing,” said Hatfield. “We have five people competing in five events each, which is the most we’ve ever had compete for the Superstar title.”

Team members include:

Student Career Days is an annual three-day event designed to help build careers for college horticulture students in the green industries. Students from more than 60 universities and colleges from across the country compete in events that are directly related to the skills necessary for a career in the green industry, including irrigation assembly, construction cost estimating, wood construction, sales presentation, landscape lighting and various types of plant identification. They also participate in a career fair and networking events.

According to Environmental Technology Instructor Bejie Herrin, each of the students selected through a competitive process for their top choices in the 28 competitive events.

“Landscape installation tends to draw the largest crowd because it is the last event of the day and has no other competition against it,” Herrin explained. “Many of our students also want to be a part of the identification events and equipment operation events.”

For more than 20 years, the team has finished in the top ten in the nation. Most recently the team won first place honors in 2008 and 2010. Last year Chattahoochee Technical College’s team finished in sixth place, scoring a combined 3850.19 points. Along with the school’s sixth place award, the team had 15 individual and small teams finish in the top ten, including three first place finishers.

(Acworth, Ga. – March 16, 2015) More than 15 Chattahoochee Technical College horticulture students, instructors and staff members celebrated Sunday at North Carolina State University as it was announced that the team had placed 12^th in the annual competition portion of PLANET Student Career Days behind first place finishers Brigham Young University – Idaho.

The finish is the second highest result for a Georgia college or university and the third highest of any two-year college in the nation. Led by instructors John Hatfield and Bejie Herrin, the team competed against 757 students from 65 two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Comprised of students from both Horticulture and Environmental Technology, the CTC team maintained its spot in the top five again this year.

Chattahoochee Technical College’s team scored a combined 3135.04 points. Along with the school’s 12th place award, the team had five individual and small group finishes in the top ten, including two top three finishers in individual and group events.

(Dallas, Ga. – March 20, 2015) The process of welding has many applications and uses, including cutting a metal ribbon on the newly renovated welding lab at the Paulding County Campus of Chattahoochee Technical College. Chattahoochee Technical College President Dr. Ron Newcomb was joined by faculty and staff members, community and industry leaders, as well as the Paulding County Chamber of Commerce to official cut the ribbon on the 2,100 square foot facility.

The Welding and Joining Technology Program, which was offered only at the Appalachian Campus in Jasper, began classes at the Paulding Campus in January. In this expansion that has been designed to provide students with better access to a mainstay program, Chattahoochee Technical College essentially doubled the number of students who can enroll in this program of study.

“Welding continues to be one of the top programs in terms of career opportunities,” said Chattahoochee Technical College Associate Dean of Technical Studies Shane Evans. “In looking at the needs of employers and those of our students, this expansion makes sense and continues in fulfilling the mission of the college to communities it serves by developing a highly skilled workforce.”

The first semester for the program has been successful, according to Evans. With the renovated 2,100 square foot space, there has been a more than 40 percent increase in the program’s enrollment. Students studying this program at the Paulding Campus have access to a state-of-the art lab with 20 individual welding booths, as well as other equipment for hands-on learning and demonstration.

The Welding and Joining Technology program includes training in shielding metal arc, oxyacetylene, tungsten inert gas, metallic inert gas, oxyfuel gas cutting, plasma arc cutting and gouging. Students learn about metals, electrodes and filler materials. In addition to classroom training, major emphasis is placed on the development of welding skills through actual hands-on practice. A full-time student who needs no preparatory coursework in English, math or reading and maintains satisfactory progress can complete the Welding and Joining Technology Diploma in four semesters. The program is offered at the diploma level and requires 50 credit hours for graduation.

Heading up the program at the Paulding Campus will be Jordan Hunter, who began working as a maintenance welder at the age of 18. The son of a man who owned his own welding business, Hunter has grown up in the industry.

“I did maintenance welding for a little over seven years, production welding for a year, and machining for three years,” said Hunter. “In this time I have had the opportunity to work in several different environments with different types of metal and materials. I have learned different types of processes and preformed various types of welds in this time that have help develop my skill set and knowledge in the field. Hands on learning has been very beneficial to me, and that’s how I plan to help others.”

The 2009 graduate of Chattahoochee Technical College said he feels that having a new lab at the Paulding Campus will be a huge benefit to the community. Additionally, the demand for welders continues to grow. In 2010 The American Welding Society predicted the demand for skilled welders in the United States alone may outpace supply by 200,000 individuals, and this trend will grow by about 20 percent in the next few years. According to Hunter, this means Chattahoochee Tech students are entering a dynamic industry with more than 50 percent of the country’s products requiring welding.

“The campus is in the hub of several counties that have limitless job opportunities for certified welders,” said Hunter. “So being able to better accommodate those students and meet their educational needs around welding and joining technology is going to amplify the amount of careers that can be obtained, generating more economic growth in that area.”

Welding and Joining Technology is one of several programs at Chattahoochee Technical College eligible for the new Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant. Students eligible for the HOPE Grant can receive between $125 and $500 of additional grant money each semester if they qualify. Students who qualify for both grant programs could expect to pay less than $200 in some cases out of pocket for tuition and fees.

However, to Hunter there are other benefits that make the program a great choice for students.

“What first interested me about welding is how it sets you apart from other in the work force,” he said. “You have skill set and certifications to back your skill set that many of your peers do not. This is huge advantage in the job market and helps you with a higher paying salary, and a job anywhere you want to move. The job opportunities really are endless.”

Front Row: (From left) Chattahoochee Technical College President Ron Newcomb; Toyo Tire North America President Don Bunn; and TCSG Commissioner Gretchen Corbin sign the Quick Start training plan agreement. Also in attendance at the event were (from left): Stefanie Dye, existing industry director for Cartersville-Bartow Economic Development; Steve Taylor, Bartow County Commissioner; Elyse Cochran Davis, Northwest Region Manager for Georgia Power; Cartersville Mayor Matt Santini; Mike Fields, Cartersville-Bartow Chamber Board Member; Joe Frank Harris, Jr., Bartow County Chamber president; and Carl Campbell, Regional Project Manager with Ga. Department of Economic Development.

Representatives from Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing, Inc., and the Technical College System of Georgia held a signing ceremony Monday at Toyo’s White, Ga., manufacturing   facility, marking the official launch of Quick Start’s workforce training plan designed to support the fast-growing company’s latest expansion. This marks the fourth time Quick Start will be delivering training for Toyo as they add approximately 450 new employees to their existing workforce of 1,000.

“This has been an incredible partnership,” said Don Bunn, president of Toyo Tire North America, praising the past support from Chattahoochee Technical College and Quick Start. “Quick Start has been with us for every expansion from the very beginning, training over 1,000 of our employees. What’s incredible is that with each new technology, we get new training. With all the modifications and changes over the years, Quick Start has kept up with us. That continuity has been very important to our success.”

Since starting production in 2005, Toyo Tire North America has expanded three times, with this latest initiative marking the fourth time the Osaka, Japan-based company has increased the size of its manufacturing plant as well as its workforce. Bunn noted that since they began production, Toyo has made more than 25 million tires.

When completed, the new equipment being installed will allow Toyo to increase production from four million tires per year to eight million. “That’s a phenomenal feat,” Bunn added.

Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Gretchen Corbin participated in the signing along with Chattahoochee Technical College President Ron Newcomb.

“Being here is like coming home,” Commissioner Corbin said, “because we’ve been a part of Toyo’s growth from the very beginning. And we deeply appreciate the partnerships and the people who’ve helped make this happen, from the Department of Economic Development, Governor Nathan Deal, the technical colleges, Quick Start and really the entire community.“

Commissioner Corbin noted that Quick Start, a division within the TCSG, will include a broad scope of topics in its training plan, including job-­‐specific training on the company’s proprietary ATOM (Advanced Tire Operation Module) systems, to safety training, leadership, and automated control systems.

“We’re very pleased to provide our Quick Start training,” Commissioner Corbin said, “because, at the end of the day, it’s about workforce. That’s why we’re so proud to have Quick Start, the No. 1 workforce training program in the country.”

Chattahoochee Tech’s President Newcomb, the third signatory signing the training plan, reaffirmed his commitment to ongoing support of the company and other manufacturers through the development of new credit programs at the college.

“There are new, emerging technologies appearing every day,” Newcomb said. “So, we can’t train in the old way. We need to innovate, and not just with new skills, but by cultivating the flexibility it takes to respond quickly to change.”

Jackie Rohosky, assistant commissioner for economic development programs at TCSG and head of Quick

Start, concluded the ceremony by highlighting the significant impact of Toyo’s rapid growth.

“The success of Toyo certainly is great for the company, and great for the employees and the entire region,” she said. “But it reaches even farther. It sends a message around the world that Georgia is indeed the best state for doing business. There’s no better evidence than right here in White, Ga.”

(Marietta, Ga. – March 30, 2015) Their scholarships are not coming in the form of giant checks, but that doesn’t mean they won’t go to good use. Six Automotive Technology students from Chattahoochee Technical College were awarded with the Mike Peterson Memorial Scholarship – a complete tool kit for their new career path.

The tool kits are worth several thousands of dollars and consist of all the tools that a beginning automotive technician would need. According to Alan Peterson, who along with his wife Claire created the scholarship to honor their son, the family has now awarded more than $100,000 in tool kits to deserving Chattahoochee Technical College students.

“This is not just a tool set though,” said Chattahoochee Technical College President Dr. Ron Newcomb. “It is a gift from the Peterson family and a way to honor their son. They remember Mike every day, but this is a public display of that memory and the career he found through his studies at Chattahoochee Technical College.

The Petersons established this scholarship in memory of their son, Michael. Family and friends keep his memory alive by awarding tool sets to students who are passionate about careers in the automotive industry. The Petersons hold an annual golf tournament each fall to raise funds for the scholarship awards. This is the 11^th year for the scholarships.

The winners of this year’s scholarship include six students from throughout the area:

• Riley Adams of Austell
• William Beasley of Dallas
• Jonathan Carroll of Ellijay
• Shawn Espe of Woodstock
• Christopher Pragovich of Kennesaw
• Joseph Whitmire of Canton

The qualifications for the scholarships include completion of at least one year of study in a Chattahoochee Technical College program and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students applying for the scholarships are asked to complete an application, including a written essay, and provide a letter of recommendation from a current faculty member of Chattahoochee Technical College.

“I hope that you will use these tool sets well,” Newcomb told the six recipients. “Use them to honor the memory of Mike Peterson and to help you build a successful career in the automotive industry.”

For more information on the Chattahoochee Tech Foundation, call 770-528-4522 or visit www.ChattahoocheeTech.edu/foundation.

(Marietta, Ga. – March 31, 2015) Chattahoochee Technical College announced recently that the college’s Early Childhood Care and Education Associate of Applied Science Degree Program has been recommended for accreditation by the Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation Commission of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This national accreditation places the program in the upper echelon of such programs in the country, as fewer than 200 have been approved for this honor.

“We are now the first and only nationally accredited AAS program in Early Childhood Care and Education in the state of Georgia,” said Chattahoochee Technical College Lead Instructor Frances Carlson. “CTC has always had the reputation of being a leader in Early Childhood Education. This recognition affirms the excellence of our program and honors the work of our faculty and students.”

NAEYC sets the national standards for higher education programs for early childhood teacher preparation, which are based on recent research in early childhood development and describe what well-prepared graduates should know and be able to do. These standards provide a common vision for quality early childhood teacher education in associate, baccalaureate and graduate degree programs and are implemented through two accreditation systems. Accredited associate degree programs provide access to the profession and a strong foundation for the diverse pool of early childhood teachers that are needed in the field.

“The accreditation substantiates the high expectations and high level of professionalism that we expect from our students,” said Dean of Business and Technical Studies Marcy Smith. “It recognizes the excellence of our teaching faculty, our cutting edge use of technology and the importance of the hours of clinical field experience our students are expected to complete.”

To receive accreditation, a program must meet six core standards in the areas of child development and learning, family and community relations, observing, documenting, and assessing children’s learning, developmentally effective approaches, using content knowledge, and professionalism. According to the accreditation decision report issued by NAEYC, Chattahoochee Technical College’s program’s learning opportunities are “aligned with key elements of the standards” and “describe program expectations for students’ growth and competence in relation to the standards.”

The accreditation process was carried out over several months and involved a self-assessment, submission of an extensive application and an accreditation site visit by NAEYC during the fall semester to interview students, faculty and other stakeholders related to the program. The accreditation will remain in place for seven years, and the department is required to provide an annual status report to the NAEYC.

With classes available at the Canton, Marietta and Paulding campuses, as well as online, Chattahoochee Technical College’s Early Childhood Care and Education Degree Program consists of 72 credit hours of instruction in general education and occupational courses. Students choose to specialize in one of four areas, including exceptionalities, infant/ toddler, program administration or paraprofessional. Graduates of the program are eligible to work in early care and education settings such child care centers, Head Start, Georgia Pre-K programs, and elementary school paraprofessional positions. The college also offers diploma and technical certificate of credit programs in this field.

(Marietta, Ga. – April 1, 2015) Chattahoochee Technical College is hoping to open the minds of students when it comes to gender roles and careers with this year’s non-traditional career expo. The event, now in its second year, will focus on careers where one sex is predominantly featured in the workforce by 75 percent or more.

“Choosing a profession where one’s gender underrepresented, can offer many advantages to career seekers, said Chattahoochee Technical College Special Populations Services Coordinator Gregory Wooten. “Benefits include higher salary, increased job satisfaction and a wider range of job opportunities.”

The college is offering students and the public two chances to learn more about careers in these areas, including booths about specific programs and local employers in those fields. The expos have been scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. both Wednesday, April 15, at the Marietta Campus on South Cobb Drive and Thursday, April 16, at the North Metro Campus in Acworth. Additionally, participants will have access to three breakout sessions that include personal branding information, social and professional etiquette, and a battle of the sexes challenge.

“There are great opportunities in these diverse and exciting career fields,” said Wooten. “We don’t want anyone to miss out on a worthwhile career for any reason. So we would like to increase the number of females in our Commercial Truck Driving, Welding, and Automotive Technology programs. Also, we are seeking to increase the number of Nursing, Cosmetology, and Early Childhood Care and Education majors who are male.”

(­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Marietta, Ga. – April 3, 2015) Chattahoochee Technical College saw 17 Chattahoochee Technical College students testing their skills against students from around the state in a multiday competition at the Georgia International Convention Center. Vying for gold, silver or bronze at the state level of SkillsUSA, these students competed in 13 different contests last month.

“Students showcased the technical skills they are learning at CTC and the leadership skills they are developing,” said Automotive Instructor and SkillsUSA Advisor Eric Underwood. “We assembled a team of talented and bright individuals who represented the college, themselves and their industries well.”

Among those who competed for Chattahoochee Technical College:

• Noah Bazarte of Marietta in Culinary Arts
• Alec Beaty of Marietta in Restaurant Service
• Marhall Burrell of Woodstock in Motorcycle Service Technology
• Ali Dizna of Marietta in Electronic Construction Wiring
• Tyler Hester of Canton in Diesel Engines
• Alex Levental of Marietta in Restaurant Service
• Michele Malone of Marietta in Crime Scene Investigation
• Lu McCray of Marietta in Cosmetology
• Roxana Montano of Austell in Crime Scene Investigation
• Leigh Nagy of Marietta in Nail Care
• Michael Poulos of Canton in Crime Scene Investigation
• Ryan Shearouse of Ball Ground in Diesel
• Dustin Sherwood of Cumming in Industrial Motor Control
• Megan Trax of Acworth in Commercial Baking
• Alexis Vining of Douglasville in Cosmetology
• Michael Wells of Woodstock in Criminal Justice
• Joseph Whitmire of Canton in Automotive Technology

Medalists included Wells, who received gold in Criminal Justic, Bazarte who received a gold in Culinary Arts, and Shearouse who received a gold in Diesel. Silver medalists included Beaty in Restaurant Service and the team of Malone, Montano and Poulos in Crime Scene Investigation. Hester received a bronze medal in Diesel, while Levental received the bronze medal in Restaurant Service.

SkillsUSA is a national organization serving high school and college students and professional members enrolled in training programs in technical, skilled, and service occupations, including health occupations in high schools and technical colleges. SkillsUSA sponsors competitions across the United States. Students begin by competing locally and continue to state and national contests if their scores advance them. Wells, Bazarte, and Shearouse, who received first place honors in their respective skills contests, will advance to the national competition in Kansas City this summer.

(Dallas, Ga. – April 8, 2015) Chattahoochee Technical College Public Safety Officers spent a day concentrating on training and simulated emergencies April 8. The training, which included information on responding to active shooters, took place at the Paulding Campus during Spring Break.

“This event gave us an opportunity to work side by side with some of our counterparts in law enforcement,” explained Chattahoochee Technical College Director of Public Safety Willis Wade. “While we certainly hope that nothing like this ever happens, we must be prepared for any possible occurrence.”

After a morning of classroom training, officers had the opportunity to practice their response with a simulated event. Various scenarios were worked out to provide as realistic of a response as possible, including debriefing after each incident. Sound and visual effects are being used, as well as volunteers to be victims in the incident.

“I am pleased to see such a proactive approach to the active shooter training being conducted,” said Wade. “On a daily basis Chattahoochee Technical College is responsible for the safety of approximately 10,000 students and 1,000 faculty and staff members. As leaders we need to be proactive in our planning and implementation of current safety techniques. This training at our Paulding Campus is just one example of how seriously officials at Chattahoochee Technical College are about providing a safe environment for all of our students and community members.”

The library at Chattahoochee Technical College’s Marietta Campus announced recently the addition of more resources with a listening library now available for students, faculty and staff. The new resource contains around 150 vinyl LPs and about 200 CDs of mostly popular music with a few classical selections as well. Donated by Chattahoochee Technical College Instructor David Kellogg, as well as various students, faculty, and staff, the collection is currently available for use.

“This is a wonderful addition to the services and resources already available at the Chattahoochee Technical College Libraries,” said Director of Libraries Barbara Moore. “Through music we can engage with students on a whole new level.”

Vinyl records can be played in the library, where there are also loan out turntables and high quality stereo headphones for listening. Students will need to present a student ID. Librarians will also be on hand to help those who have never used an old-school turntable or vinyl records. CDs can be played in the library, using the PC disc drives, or checked out for home or car use.

For more information on this and other services provided by the Chattahoochee Technical College Library, students and faculty are encouraged to speak with a librarian at any of the college campuses or visit www.chattahoocheetech.edu/services/library/. Those interested in donating to the library’s collection of vinyl records and CDs should contact David Kellogg at David.Kellogg@chattahoocheetech.edu.

(Marietta, Ga. – April 15, 2015) This May more than 2,500 graduates of Georgia’s largest technical college will be honored in a ceremony at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Representing graduates from Summer 2014, Fall 2014 and Spring 2015, more than 300 graduates are expected to walk in the ceremony.

Scheduled for Friday May 1, at 10 a.m., the ceremony will honor those completing their programs of study for a technical certificate of credit, a diploma, or an associate of applied science degree, including 41 students who completed an associate of applied science or diploma program with a 4.0 cumulative grade point average. The most popular area of study for graduates was Healthcare Sciences, including Associate Degree Nursing, Practical Nursing, Radiography, Physical Therapist Assistant, Health Information Management Technology, Medical Assisting, Healthcare Assistant certificates and Healthcare Science certificates. This was followed by programs in the area of business, including Accounting, Business Administrative Technology, Business Management, Marketing Management and programs in the field of Automotive, including Automotive Technology, Auto Collision Repair, Automotive Fundamentals and other Automotive Certificates.

This year’s graduation speaker will be Chief Technology Officer for the Power Generation Services Business in GE Power & Water Steven Hartman. He is responsible for providing life cycle technology solutions and support for the global business; including technology development for new products, repairs, inspection, monitoring & diagnostics, remote services, and performance solutions. A graduate of Union College in Schenectady, New York,  Hartman holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering.

(Marietta, Ga. – April 17, 2015) The Chattahoochee Tech Foundation honored the recipients of 30 different scholarships to students at the largest technical college in Georgia at a recent reception. The 58 winners, who represent a wide variety of the programs offered at Chattahoochee Technical College, will be able to use the money and items received toward achieving their educational and career goals.

“These scholarships represent the essence of the partnership between the community and the college,” said Chattahoochee Tech Foundation Executive Director Melanie Lambert. “Each scholarship is the direct result of the commitment of a company, organization, family or individual to the students and their efforts. We are extremely pleased to see both an increase in the number of students receiving these awards and the number of scholarships available to them.”

The winners of all the scholarships competed against more than 150 applicants from Chattahoochee Technical College. In addition to meeting the special criteria for certain scholarships, applicants must meet specific GPA requirements, demonstrate financial need and be enrolled for a required number of credit hours. Awards range from a several hundred dollars to $2,500.

Recipients Include:

Billy Askea Endowed Scholarship

Johnnie Ford of Douglasville, Occupational Therapy Assistant

AT&T Scholarship

Julie Hettinger of Woodstock, Occupational Therapy Assistant

Sharmin Keshwani of Marietta, Early Childhood Care and Education

Barrow Family Scholarship

Skyler Banks of Ellijay, Culinary Arts

Rachel Bartel of Acworth, Clinical Laboratory Technology

Judy Chorn of Marietta, Business Administrative Technology

Suzanne Ellis of Kennesaw, Radiography

Felisha Flowers-Moore of Marietta, Practical Nursing

Timothy Hourigan of Acworth, Physical Therapist Assistant

Tyler King of Dunwoody, Physical Therapist Assistant

Joshua Winland of Dallas, CIST Networking Specialist

Tim B. Clower – Greystone Power Endowed Scholarship

Abisai Perez of Douglasville, Technical Specialist

Sally Wells of Dallas, Occupational Therapy Assistant

Coplon Family Scholarship

Suelyn Kirkland of Douglasville, Business Administrative Technology

Harlon D. Crimm Endowed Scholarship

Christin Curtis of Canton, Clinical Laboratory Technology

Cleo Ingram Scholarship of Nursing

Lynita Taylor of Marietta, Nursing

Craig & Glinda Douglas Endowed Scholarship

Mason Kirk of Marietta, CIST Information Security Specialist

Culinary Arts Scholarship

Montinque Baugh of Acworth, Culinary Arts

Jo Anne Davis of Kennesaw, Culinary Arts

Tara Drummond Memorial Scholarship

Denise Cruz of Marietta, Criminal Justice Technology

Jordyn Moses of Smyrna, Criminal Justice Technology

Ed Voyles Automotive Group Scholarship

Riley Adams, IV of Austell, Automotive Technology

Gregory Costello of Powder Springs, Automotive Technology

Ryan Messer of Marietta, Automotive Technology

Matthew Proctor of Marietta, Automotive Technology

Georgia Power Company Endowed Scholarship

Katina Peringer of Marietta, Practical Nursing

Helen E. Roper Foundation Scholarship

Whitney Tilley of Jasper, Physical Therapist Assistant

Jack Vaughan Jr. Endowed Scholarship

Mary Salib of Canton, Nursing

Stephen J. Gilbert Memorial Scholarship

Rebecca Feregrino Rodriguez of Marietta, Electrical/Computer Engineering Technology

Ron Greene Memorial Academic Leadership Scholarship

Jessica Heffernan of Kennesaw, Nursing

Tommy Hembree Endowed Scholarship

David Drumm of Marietta, Air Conditioning Technology

Christopher Seibert of Marietta, Air Conditioning Technology

KCMA Corporation Scholarship

Reece Abernathy of Powder Springs, Diesel Equipment Technology

Adam Dupuis of Acworth, Diesel Equipment Technology

Rovani Pena of Acworth, Diesel Equipment Technology

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Endowed Scholarship

Claudia Lara-Gomez of Kennesaw, Electrical/Computer Engineering Technology

Scott MacKenzie Memorial Scholarship

Charles Grieder of Jasper, Business Management

Robert & Cheryl Moultrie Endowed Scholarship

David Kotowski of Atlanta, Television Production Technology

Mike Peterson Memorial Scholarship

Riley Adams, IV of Austell, Automotive Technology

William Beasley of Dallas, Automotive Technology

Jonathan Carroll of Ellijay, Automotive Technology

Shawn Espe of Woodstock, Automotive Technology

Christopher Pragovich of Kennesaw, Automotive Technology

Joseph Whitmire of Canton, Automotive Technology

Milton Ratner Foundation Endowed Scholarship

Heather Eaves of Bremen, Physical Therapist Assistant

Mosely Endowed Automotive Scholarship

Jonathan Carroll of Ellijay, Automotive Technology

Phyllis Abby Lantz Scholarship

Rachel Buchanan of Ball Ground, Nursing

Lauara Davis of Ball Ground, Nursing

Heather Merkle of Woodstock, Nursing

Rotary Club of East Cobb County Scholarship

Jeffery Hay of Marietta, Air Conditioning Technology

Jasmine Rich of Marietta, Technical Specialist

Kristen Yco of Marietta, Radiography

Rotary Club of Paulding County Scholarship

Tara Little of Dallas, Practical Nursing

Keith Sugarman of Woodstock, Welding and Joining Technology

Suggs Endowed Scholarship

Veronica Hauss of Cartersville, Practical Nursing

Tull Charitable Foundation Endowed Scholarship

Ru Yea Yeh of Kennesaw, CIST Computer Programming

Mark Whitfield Scholarship of Excellence

Monica Hyatt of Acworth, Nursing