(Marietta, Ga. – October 19, 2015)

Chattahoochee Technical College’s Culinary Arts Program hosted its Fourth Annual Chili Cook-Off at the Mountain View Campus on Oct. 15. The four teams, Cajun Asian, Chili Chili Bang Bang, Red Hot Chili Preppers, and the Tri Top Trio, consisting of two to three students per team, competed for the title of “Best Chili”. Each team’s entry was judged on taste, presentation, and tenderness.

The Culinary Arts Program, established in 2000, is one of the original programs on campus. Known as the “White Hat Brigade,” students, ranging in ages from 18 to 60, develop their culinary skills through a combination of theory and practical application. The program, which usually takes a year and a half to two years to complete, provides students with the opportunity to earn an associate degree or a diploma.

Chef Hillary Gallagher has been an instructor in the Culinary Arts Program for the past 10 years and has served as the head of the program since 2011. She believes events like the Chili Cook-Off encourage friendly competition.

“It’s all about the students. They learn how to collaborate in a fun, relaxed environment,” Gallagher said.

Montinque’ Baugh, a senior from Acworth, said, “Cooking just runs in my family.” So she decided to take it to the next level and get her Culinary Arts degree. Ms. Baugh is set to graduate in May of 2016 and already has many job opportunities to choose from.

First-year student Celina Vicente is from Powder Springs and participated in a culinary program at her high school. She started decorating cakes at her first job and that quickly evolved into baking cakes. Ms. Vicente hopes to own a bake shop someday.

This year’s winner was the Tri Top Trio team. Congratulations to all those who participated!

CTC Culinary Arts students (L.-R.-Kayla Holloway, Hope Nguyen, Sara Sheets, and Sam Stavely) making their final preparations for the Fourth Annual Chili Cook-Off

(Woodstock, Ga. – Oct. 23, 2015)

Chattahoochee Technical College hosted an open house at its Woodstock Campus with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 22. More than 350 community leaders, elected officials and local residents came together to celebrate this seamless blending of the past and the future.

The Woodstock Elementary School choir sang “Woodstock in My Heart,” written by City Historian Juanita Hughes, “My Country Tis’ Of Thee” and then led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Chattahoochee Tech President Dr. Ron Newcomb thanked the members of the Cherokee County Board of Education, the members of the state legislature and the community itself for helping to make all of this possible.

“This campus is a wonderful gift given by the people of Woodstock to the people of Woodstock,” said Newcomb.

Built in the 1930s, the campus sits on the former site of Woodstock Elementary School. The property was leased from the Cherokee County Board of Education in 2004, then deeded by the Board of Education to the state for use by the College in 2013.

With a budgeted cost of $5.3 million, the 46,011 gross square-foot building includes 13 classrooms, a library, Student Success Center, faculty offices, office space, restrooms, and a plaza area. Students enrolled in the Technical Specialist Certificate program can take the required core classes at this location, along with Criminal Justice, Introduction to Computers, and many healthcare prerequisites. In addition, the campus may be rented for business meetings and community conferences.

Chattahoochee Tech took great care in refurbishing the former Woodstock Elementary School building to ensure the historical integrity of the site was maintained while upgrading the facilities to educate a 21^st century workforce. Generations of families toured the halls of the new Woodstock Campus and reminisced about their time there as students and teachers.

While the building has a very proud past, it has a very bright future ahead of it. During her remarks, Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Gretchen Corbin noted the members of the Woodstock Elementary School choir were the class of 2023 and that there will be a place for them at the Woodstock Campus in 2024.

“We celebrate a building today and we provide a future opportunity to our students,” said Corbin.

The application deadline for Spring Semester is Friday, Dec. 11.

Chattahoochee Technical College’s open house at its Woodstock Campus drew more than 350 visitors and guests. From left, Steve Stancil, State Property Officer; CTC President Dr. Ron Newcomb; and Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Gretchen Corbin.

(Marietta, Ga. – Oct. 29, 2015)

Chattahoochee Technical College students, faculty and staff did their part to support literacy awareness by participating in the “Read for the Record” event in October. The event, sponsored by Jumpstart, is a global effort to promote early childhood literacy by motivating children and adults to participate in the world’s largest shared reading experience. This year marks the 10^th anniversary of the “Read of the Record” initiative.

CTC’s involvement with the program began five years ago as a project through the Service Learning Program at the college, which encourages students to become more active in their communities. Students read to children at elementary schools, public libraries and at home. The project has grown tremendously as students eagerly recruit people to help promote a love of reading.

This year’s event has even greater significance for Chattahoochee Tech. It is dedicated to Barbara Moore who served as director of libraries before passing away during the summer. Dr. Judy Cannon, a reading instructor at CTC, spoke of how this event is a perfect way to honor Barbara Moore.

“Barbara had such a great love of books and truly enjoyed sharing her passion for reading,” said Cannon.

Chattahoochee Technical College President Dr. Ron Newcomb took part in the “Read for the Record” event at the Marietta Campus. He read to 8-month-old Wayne Van Blarcom, the son of CTC Criminal Justice student, Karen Higdon.

“When it comes to reading, starting early means starting well. Studies have shown time and time again that the earlier children are introduced to reading the better off they are at developing the essential communication and processing skills to excel in school and in life,” said Newcomb.

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

(Woodstock, Ga. – Nov. 4, 2015)

Hayes and Corinne Thomas, children of Chattahoochee Technical College English instructor Robin Thomas, examine a Chinese Praying Mantis at CTC’s first Spooky Spidery Science event, held Saturday, Oct. 31.

Chattahoochee Technical College’s Woodstock Campus got into the Halloween spirit on Saturday, Oct. 31, by hosting its first Spooky Spidery Science event in conjunction with the city of Woodstock’s Kidsfest – an annual event with vendors, face painting, jugglers, a costume contest and more.

While the College had a booth in the downtown Kidsfest festival area, the main attraction was held at the newly renovated A building, where children of all ages enjoyed various science-related activities. Highlights of the event included the Creepy Crawly room, which was stocked with Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, Zebra Tarantulas, Chinese Praying Mantis, toads, geckos, pythons and many other insects on loan from the University of Georgia.

The anatomy lab was host to a display of every bone and body part imaginable, with CTC chemistry instructors putting on a dazzling display of outdoor fireballs, giant fog-filled bubbles and more while children created glow-in-the-dark slime.

“The event was a great success. I want to thank all the faculty and staff who donated their time to help create a memorable and educational Halloween experience for these kids,” Biology instructor Jarod Lynn said.

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

(Marietta, Ga. – Nov. 11, 2015)

The presidents of Chattahoochee Technical College and Valdosta State University signed articulation agreements on Monday that will simplify the student transition process between the two institutions of higher education.

“Through this partnership with Valdosta State University, students at Chattahoochee Technical College can take their two-year degree into a four-year bachelor’s program — and do it online,” CTC President Dr. Ron Newcomb said.  “This is a great opportunity for CTC’s degree graduates, and I welcome the partnership with VSU.”

The Pathways Program agreement will allow Chattahoochee Technical College students with an Associate of Applied Science in one or more of the 39 articulated programs (see below) to maximize the transfer of credits in order to complete either a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership, a Bachelor of Applied Science in human capital performance, or a Bachelor of Science in office administration and technology in two years or less at Valdosta State University, noted Dr. Joseph G. Weaver, director of Off-Campus Programs at VSU.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer three clear, seamless paths for Chattahoochee Technical College graduates who wish to further their education and pursue a bachelor’s degree at Valdosta State University,” said Dr. Cecil P. Staton, president of VSU. “Higher education has never been more important in Georgia and across the United States. We are seeing a growing demand for citizens who are capable of more sophisticated, critical thinking and who possess problem-solving and interpersonal skills. Our faculty and staff are in the business of nurturing the next generation of thinkers, innovators, communicators, leaders, and more, and we look forward to welcoming our Chattahoochee friends into our Blazer Nation family for many years to come.”

The Pathways Program centers on the priorities of Complete College Georgia, an initiative developed to increase the number of Georgians earning a college degree. It is a collaboration between Valdosta State University and partner institutions like Chattahoochee Technical College to allow students with approved Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Applied Technology degrees to maximize the transfer of credits in order to complete a bachelor’s degree in two years or less. Pathways students can expect 51 or more transferable credit hours to be applied to either of the three articulated programs — Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership, Bachelor of Applied Science in human capital performance, or Bachelor of Science in office administration and technology — all of which are offered completely online.

It is projected that over 60 percent of jobs in Georgia will require a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree by 2020. Presently, approximately 42 percent of the state’s young adults, its developing workforce, are prepared to such a level, which means that Georgia must not only maintain current graduation levels but also produce an additional estimated 250,000 graduates in upcoming years to remain competitive.

Articulated Programs

• Associate of Applied Science degrees in accounting, applied technical management, automotive technology, business technology, business management, computer information systems technology (computer programming, information security specialist, internet specialist/web application development, networking specialist), clinical laboratory technology, criminal justice technology, culinary arts, design and media production technology, drafting technology, early childhood care and education, electrical and computer engineering technology, environmental technology, fire science technology, health care management, health information management technology, horticulture, industrial maintenance/electrical technology, interiors, logistics/supply chain management, marketing management, medical assisting, nursing, occupational therapy assistant, paramedicine, physical therapy assistant, radiography, surgical technology, and television production technology are the articulated programs for Chattahoochee Technical College students who wish to pursue either a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership or a Bachelor of Applied Science in human capital performance at Valdosta State University.
• Associate of Applied Science degrees in accounting, business management technology, business technology, health information management technology, and marketing management are the articulated programs for Chattahoochee Technical College students who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Science in office administration and technology at Valdosta State University.

About VSU:

Valdosta State University is a premier comprehensive university characterized by outstanding instruction, a wide range of student life opportunities, and a close connection to the community. Established in 1906, the institution’s mission is to prepare students to meet global opportunities and challenges through excellence in teaching and learning; to expand the boundaries of current knowledge and explore the practical applications of that knowledge through excellence in scholarship and creative endeavors; and to promote the economic, cultural, and educational progress of the community and region through excellence in service outreach. It seeks to accomplish this mission in a dynamic, student-centered learning environment marked by a respect for diverse abilities, backgrounds, and contributions by all members of the university community.

VSU has now signed Pathways Program articulation agreements with 16 Technical College System of Georgia institutions of higher education.

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/welcome.php

(Marietta, Ga. – Dec. 1, 2015)

Chattahoochee Technical College has announced its four finalists for the Rick Perkins Award of Excellence in Technical Instruction, a statewide program initiated by the Technical College System of Georgia to honor outstanding instructors at the System’s member institutions. Nominees are Celnisha Dangerfield, Frank Inscoe, Jennifer Loudermilk and Diane Petty.

The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction began in 1991 and is designed to recognize and honor technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields. Formerly known as the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence, the Rick Perkins Award was renamed in memory and honor of Thomas “Rick” Perkins, an instructor at West Central Technical College, who received the Commissioner’s Award immediately prior to his untimely death.

Each candidate was interviewed by a panel of judges using a rubric which evaluated them on their accomplishments, leadership, role as a technical educator, commitment to the mission/initiatives of TCSG, communication skills and attitude.

This year’s winner will be announced on Jan. 29 at the GOAL, Rick Perkins and Eagle Award luncheon, to be held on the North Metro Campus.

Chattahoochee Technical College’s Department of Public Safety has named Alfredrick Campbell as the college’s new deputy chief of police.

Currently working on the college’s North Metro Campus, Campbell is a retired Cobb County Police Department lieutenant who has also policed for the City of Marietta, Georgia State University and Kennesaw State University police departments. He is a graduate of the FBI Academy and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Albany State University and a master’s degree from the Police Command College at Columbus State University.

Campbell’s experience includes police academy assistant director, adjutant to the chief of police, robbery/homicide investigator and patrol supervisor. He formerly served as a Chattahoochee Technical College campus police officer.

A Cobb County resident, Campbell said he was drawn to work in campus safety thanks to the encouragement of friends and former Cobb County Police Department colleagues, such as CTC Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety Charles Spann.

“My goal is to provide a safe environment for the students, faculty, staff and visitors on all of our campuses,” Campbell said.

Campbell will being working on the college’s Marietta Campus beginning January 2016.

The Chattahoochee Tech Foundation is partnering with AutoNation in Fall 2015 to launch a first-of-its-kind award at Chattahoochee Technical College.

Each month in the Fall and Spring Semesters, outstanding students enrolled in Automotive Technology will be recognized as Student of the Month, receiving a certificate of recognition and a $250 cash award, provided by AutoNation. Additionally, AutoNation will recognize a Student of the Semester, receiving a $500 cash award, and Student of the Year, recognized with a $1,000 cash award.

Students Michael King of Dallas, Tharis Word of Cartersville and William Beasley of Canton each received a $250 cash award and a certificate of recognition on Wednesday, Dec. 9.

Through AutoNation’s generosity, Chattahoochee Tech is able to recognize its best and brightest students in the Automotive Technology program. Students who show outstanding leadership skills, significant levels of academic improvement, or who demonstrate a higher level of commitment to their studies can be nominated by program faculty. Those nominations are submitted to AutoNation for selection and awarding of the scholarship awards.

Kristen Sowemimo, market human resources manager for AutoNation, says the company looks forward to a continued partnership with Chattahoochee Technical College and congratulates the award winners.

John Wallace of Rep. Barry Loudermilk’s office, left, speaks with Alex Byrne, a Cherokee Learning Center GED student at Summit 2016, held at the Cherokee County Conference Center.

(Canton, Ga. – Jan. 7, 2016)

With 16 percent of adults in the state of Georgia lacking a high school diploma, communities like Cherokee County have stepped up to the plate to help those without this certification create a new life for themselves and for their families. In order to raise awareness of the need for increased adult literacy, Chattahoochee Technical College joined with various business, agencies and community representatives during Summit 2016, held at the Cherokee County Conference Center on Thursday, Jan. 7.

“We talk a lot in this state about economic development. Well, economic development does not happen without a sound education system,” Shan Cooper, vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin, said. “That means our folks, our kids, our students, our adults have to be literate.”

Tamika Phillips, who serves as Chattahoochee Technical College’s executive director of adult education, speaks during Summit 2016, held at the Cherokee County Conference Center.

A combined effort among MUST ministries, the Sequoyah Regional Library System and the Cherokee Learning Center, Summit 2016 featured Tamika Phillips, who serves as Chattahoochee Tech’s executive director for Adult Education. Phillips was joined by Billie Izard, executive director of the Certified Literate Community Program of Georgia; and Rep. Wesley Cantrell of Woodstock. In addition, the event included a breakout session for members of the community who work daily to increase the literacy level in Cherokee County.

“Every nine seconds someone drops out of high school,” Phillips said. “In the state of Georgia it is necessary for adult education to exist and even more important for adult education programs to have the support of local lawmakers, businesses, community agencies and others in the community because it is critical to Georgia’s bottom line.”

Beyond exploring the economic impact that adult literacy has on Georgia, the event featured Alex Byrne, a Cherokee Learning Center GED student, who shared his personal story. In addition to CTC’s GED preparation site at the Cherokee Learning Center, the college also has GED preparation centers in Ellijay, Jasper, Acworth and Canton as well as in Bartow and Cobb counties.

“I had a troubled childhood. It was difficult coming home from school and I could never really ask my parents for help with my homework,” Byrne said. “When I got to high school I ended up dropping out and became one of the statistics.”

Byrne, 19, has worked in heating and air since he was 17. He said after a time of personal reflection it was time to make a change in his life and seek his GED.

“I couldn’t be happier for myself right now,” Byrne said.

To learn more about Chattahoochee Tech’s adult education program, visit http://www.chattahoocheetech.edu/programsandcourses/adult-education/.

(Acworth, Ga. – Jan. 29, 2016)

Chattahoochee Technical College held its 2016 GOAL, Rick Perkins and Eagle Award luncheon on Friday, celebrating current students, faculty members and adult education students who have presented excellence in their fields. This year’s winners are Jourdan Ortiz for GOAL, Celnisha L. Dangerfield for Rick Perkins and Jessica Warren for EAGLE.

GOAL

The Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), a statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia, honors excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students. Local GOAL winners are selected at each of the state’s other technical colleges as well as the two Board of Regents colleges with technical education divisions.

This year, more than 30 students were nominated by faculty with 22 students accepting the nomination. The first round of interviews took place in fall 2015 at the North Metro campus with the college’s internal committee. The students were required to give a three-minute speech on the topic “Technical Education in Georgia,” followed by an interview.

The six finalists had their second interview with an external committee made up of the college’s board of directors as well as community members. The interview included the nominees’ three-minute speech and a series of interview questions. At the end of the interviews, the committee was challenged with selecting CTC’s goal winner.

Ortiz, a resident of Henry County, is working toward an occupational therapy assistant associate degree. He said much of the motivation to pursue his dreams came years after working a dead end job following high school. Ortiz then remembered kind and encouraging words from his mother that provided inspiration.

“I was living my life with no direction or purpose, and I wondered how many of you have ever felt that way,” Ortiz said to the crowd. “It was at that time that I pushed past my fear of failure and decided to attend college, but not just any college – and I did my research. I needed a college that was flexible, one that could meet my needs and one that I could afford – I needed Chattahoochee Tech.”

Ortiz will now move on to the regional competition in March and then will go on to Atlanta in April for the state competition. As part of the award package, the state GOAL winner will receive a new car from Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia.

Rick Perkins

The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction began in 1991 and is designed to recognize and honor technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields. Formerly known as the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence, the Rick Perkins Award was renamed in memory and honor of Thomas “Rick” Perkins, an instructor at West Central Technical College, who received the Commissioner’s Award immediately prior to his untimely death.

CTC President Dr. Ron Newcomb and Rick Perkins winner Celnisha L. Dangerfield.

A preliminary round of interviews followed by a second round Each candidate was interviewed by a panel of judges using a rubric which evaluated them on their accomplishments, leadership, role as a technical educator, commitment to the mission/initiatives of TCSG, communication skills and attitude.

“I want to thank [CTC President] Dr. Ron Newcomb for always being supportive of the Rick Perkins celebration, and I’m honored to represent the faculty here at Chattahoochee Tech,” Dangerfield, a speech instructor on the Marietta Campus, said. “I think we have amazing individuals here and I’m honored to be counted among them.”

EAGLE

The Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) Program celebrates adult learners in pursuit of excellence. The program recognizes and honors students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in statewide adult education classes. The concept of EAGLE is one designed to create a greater awareness of educational opportunities that are available in local communities across the state and to foster involvement in lifelong learning pursuits.

Adult Education teachers in public, private, and grantee agencies nominate students at the local program level to participate in the EAGLE recognition program at the state level. Selection criteria include student character, attitude, attendance, leadership and community involvement and activities. From this group, one student is selected to represent the local program at the state EAGLE Leadership Institute.

EAGLE winner Jessica Warren receives her award from CTC President Dr. Ron Newcomb.

Warren, a GED graduate and resident of Bartow County, has just begun studying surgical technology at Chattahoochee Tech. Having to drop out of high school at 16 due to the illness and eventual passing of her father, Warren began working in fast food to help make ends meet at home.

“Those were the hardest years of my life – I had to grow up at a very young age,” Warren said.

She said after getting married and having a child on the way, she was encouraged by her husband to get her GED before her baby’s due date so she could pursue her dream of attending college.

“The [GED] teachers were amazing. They motivate you and encourage you and they thank you for making the decision to come to class,” Warren said. “Because of this, I will not have the struggle of living paycheck to paycheck anymore.”

(Acworth, Ga. – Feb. 5, 2016)

Chattahoochee Technical College’s North Metro Campus will host a replica of the 230-foot Bayeux Tapestry from Feb. 8 to Feb. 12 inside the campus’ D Building.

“I’m very excited this came together. Usually Georgians interested in seeing this world-famous tapestry have to travel all the way to France,” CTC Instructor of Humanities Thomas LaPoarte said. “The tapestry is a top tier artifact filled with historical and political intricacies.”

Commissioned by Bishop Odo of Bayeux, the half-brother of Norman King William the Conqueror, the linear-designed tapestry displays the historical events leading up to, and the victory of, William’s Norman invasion of England in 1066, culminating with the Battle of Hastings where William claimed the English throne for the Normans, resulting in Harold II’s death.

In 2014, the University of North Georgia acquired the only hand-painted replica in existence of the tapestry, which was manufactured between 1067 and 1097. Commissioned by Dr. E.D. Wheeler, a retired judge and former dean at Oglethorpe University, the replica is on loan to the university for display and the appreciation for its artistic and historical value. Artist Margaret ReVille painted the replica in acrylic on linen.

“I learned the replica is owned by University of North Georgia and it was advised they would like to see the tapestry travel to college campuses. The following Monday, we started the process to bring this phenomenal work of art and history to Chattahoochee Tech,” LaPorte said.

The original artwork uses eight colored wools in plain linen and features 626 people, 202 horses, 55 dogs, 505 various animals, 37 fortresses and/or buildings and 41 ships, as well as countless numbers of weapons, clothing and various instruments. Originally, the artwork was embroidered on six separate pieces then connected together.

“I strongly encourage folks to take the opportunity to experience the glory of the Bayeux Tapestry,” LaPorte said. “Stop by Chattahoochee Tech to step back in time and be a part of a unique piece of history.”

The North Metro Campus is located at 5198 Ross Road in Acworth. The piece will be on display from Monday, Feb. 8 to Feb. 11 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; the piece also will be on display Feb. 12 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Chattahoochee Tech Employee Recognized Volunteer

(Acworth, Ga.– Feb. 12, 2016)

Chattahoochee Technical College’s John Parton, who serves as executive director of institutional effectiveness, has been named the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year.

John Parton, left, receives the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year award from 2015 chamber chair Patrick Nelson as 2015 chamber interim CEO Nancy Haight looks on.

“John is a true servant leader. Always one of the first to ask what can he do to help and willing to back it up with a great deal of effort and commitment,” Patrick Nelson, the 2015 chairman for the chamber, said.

Nelson said the Volunteer of the Year goes to the volunteer that goes above and beyond what most are willing to do for the chamber. In addition to receiving the Volunteer of the Year award, Parton also serves on the chamber’s board of directors and has participated in the Leadership Bartow Program.

“I began volunteering with the chamber on a regular basis around four or five years ago when I was nominated by the college to participate in Leadership Bartow. Following graduation from Leadership Bartow, I was asked to serve on the Leadership Bartow Steering Committee, where I eventually served as vice chair and then as chair last year from 2014-2015,” Parton said. “As to what drew me to volunteer, I think the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber of Commerce is not just about local business, but about building stronger communities, as well. Both are important in terms of creating a better quality of life in our county.”

He continued, “A few weeks ago a friend shared on Facebook an anonymous quote that summed it up nicely – ‘Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.’”

Nelson described Parton as “one of our most engaged members of the board of directors for the chamber,” who attends as many functions of the chamber as he possibly can and “brings a great deal of knowledge to the table.”

“I got to know John prior to the board through the Leadership Bartow Program which was by far his biggest commitment to the chamber. The program is nine months long, consisting of one full day a month for nine months as well as an orientation, two-day retreat and graduation ceremony in addition to those days,” Nelson said. “You can imagine the amount of work and planning that goes into that program. John’s commitment and leadership in this program was a great asset to the chamber and to the betterment of the program.”

Parton was recognized for his service during the chamber’s annual meeting, held at the Clarence Brown Conference Center in Cartersville in January. He said receiving the award came as a surprise.

“I was shocked. In fact I had no idea I was receiving the award, even as the bio of the recipient was read at the Chamber annual meeting,” Parton said. “Patrick Nelson stated that the recipient ‘had chaired Leadership Bartow,’ and at that point I thought he was describing the current committee chair.”

Parton also serves as secretary of the governmental affairs committee and “brings a great deal of value to that group and the efforts of the camber to remain at the forefront of governmental issues at the local, state and federal levels,” Nelson said.

For Parton, the benefits of working with chamber groups not only include personal growth, but increased community awareness as well.

“I’ve loved my experience with Leadership Bartow because I believe the program helps develop local leaders while also creating a greater sense of community among the participants. Graduates of the program can’t help but be ‘plugged in’ to the community, and I think this benefits not just the participants, but also our local economy and non-profit network, as well,” Parton said. “Similarly, I believe in an informed, active citizenry and the governmental affairs committee is great way to keep a finger on the pulse of local, state and even federal issues that impact the region. Topics covered in the committee have included transportation, water/water quality, education and taxation/revenue, among others.”

As executive director of institutional effectiveness, Parton oversees the department that coordinates activities related to accreditation, assessment, strategic planning and compliance/reporting for the college.

(Marietta, Ga. – Feb. 23, 2016) Chattahoochee Technical College was one of three post-secondary providers to partner with Marietta High School during the Partners in Education “College Signing Event” on Monday, Feb. 22.

Chattahoochee Technical College, Georgia Highlands College, Kennesaw State University and Life University each signed an agreement to provide support as the school promotes future college and career success.  These partnerships will connect students to life after high school in conjunction with its Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program while continuing to grow the educational and economic base of Cobb County.

From left, Emily Lembeck, superintendent for Marietta City Schools; Marietta High School Principal Forrestella Taylor; and CTC President Dr. Ron Newcomb.

“Today, we think that this is just a little signing ceremony, but it is not. It’s a celebration of doing something great for our students, and Chattahoochee Tech is very proud to be a part of it. Is it not great when a student can attend Marietta High School and then move on to one of the local post-secondary public or private providers here in Cobb County? It’s a wonderful thing,” Newcomb said. “It’s about the students getting the education they need for a career that will improve the quality of life for themselves and their families.”

The Partners in Education Program is a collective effort of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce to match businesses and organizations with schools to provide extra funding, unique services and volunteer support. The vision behind the Partners in Education Program is to enrich the learning experience of Cobb’s children so that all develop a strong academic foundation, skills and core values that will benefit them in their community life and in a career.

“We are fortunate to have quality education for grades K-12 and post high school opportunities extending from an associate degree to a doctorate degree in one county,” said Marietta City Schools Superintendent Dr. Emily Lembeck. “These newly formed partnerships are a key component to fostering our students’ goals for life success after high school, which is an important part of the Marietta City Schools mission. We are enthusiastic about the possibilities that will result from our collaboration with each institution for this common goal.”

Marietta High School Principal Forrestella Taylor called the commitment “monumental” in that it reinforces the seamless educational opportunities for all students at MHS.

“These partnerships will strengthen the existing options for our students to further explore the CTAE Pathways, Move on When Ready and SB2 initiatives, as well as the Arts in greater depth,” Taylor said. “By providing meaningful and engaging experiences with each of these institutions, we are creating boundless options towards developing college and career ready students.”

(Marietta, Ga. – March 1, 2016) Chattahoochee Technical College’s Department of Economic Development has nominated four businesses for Georgia Manufacturer of the Year – an award given during Manufacturing Appreciation Week, April 18-22. The annual event was developed by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development to recognize the contribution of manufacturing to Georgia’s economy.

The nominees for the 22nd Annual Manufacturer of the Year will be honored by Gov. Nathan Deal at a luncheon at the Georgia International Convention Center on April 21. Awards are given to companies in small, medium and large manufacturer categories that exhibit a high degree of corporate responsibility, have an economic impact on Georgia and display workforce excellence.

“We look for companies who are invested in the community in regard to education, workforce development, partners with community events and activities, and who are investing in the wellbeing of their employees and the surrounding community. We feel each of our nominees go above and beyond in their commitments in each of these benchmarks,” said CTC Executive Director of Economic Development Shane Evans.

The nominated companies for the small manufacturer category include Ampacet Corporation and Heatco, both in Bartow County; for the medium manufacturer category, Quality Synthetic Rubber Inc. in Pickens County; and for the large manufacturer category, Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing Inc. in Bartow County.

Ampacet Corporation is a leading global manufacturer in the production of high-quality color concentrates for plastics. The company operates 24 manufacturing sites in North and South America as well as Europe and Asia. Ampacet’s local growth has included about $875,000 in capital investments and adding new jobs at the Cartersville location, where the manufacturer has operated since 1995.

Heatco, which was named Bartow County Manufacturer of the Year in 2015, is dedicated to designing, building and deploying high-quality, energy efficient gas heating systems. The company was founded in 1981 and once operated out of a one-room office. The company’s growth has included expanding into an 80,000-square-foot building in Cartersville, which supports all aspects of the design and manufacturing process. The facility also includes a fully equipped, certified engineering and testing lab.

Quality Synthetic Rubber Inc., a division of Q Holding Company, is an ISO/TS 16949:2009 certified premier manufacturer of precision engineered elastomer components for critical applications. The company, which is headquartered in Ohio, has been at its Jasper location for more than 60 years and has about 250 employees. Between 2011 and 2015, the company recorded significant sales growth and its capital investment totaled $8.2 million.

Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing Inc. offers a complete selection of premium replacement tires for nearly every make and model vehicle. The company opened its first U.S. manufacturing facility in White, Ga., in 2005 with support from the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Toyo employees more than 1,400 team members at its Bartow County location, and the state-of-the-art facility is equipped with advanced manufacturing technology, built upon the successful design of the company’s home plant in Japan. Toyo was nominated for the Manufacturer of the Year award by North Metro Technical College in 2009 and was the recipient that year.

(Acworth, Ga. – March 7, 2016)

In an effort to provide both resources and awareness information to transitioning military members and veterans, Chattahoochee Technical College, in partnership with more than 20 supporting agencies, will host a free Education and Resource Summit on March 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at CTC’s North Metro Campus (Building D), 5198 Ross Road in Acworth.

Invitees include guardsmen and reservists from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Chattahoochee Tech’s current student enrollment of more than 700 veterans or veteran family members, as well as other veterans residing in the area.

“Veteran transition training, or taking their combat boots off, is beneficial because we need to be serving those who have served us so well. For a veteran who is leaving the military, many times they feel alone, without direction and uncertain of their capabilities to acclimate or adjust to the civilian environment,” said CTC Communication and Veteran Services Coordinator Barry Munday.

The summit will bring together more than 20 resources that exist for the purpose of supporting veterans as well as their family members who may be struggling to adapt to civilian life. At the event, military and veteran personnel will be afforded the opportunity to speak with representatives from numerous support services to gain a better insight into what resources are available.

A partial list of vendors includes, Chattahoochee Technical College Human Resources Department, Georgia Vocational Rehab Agency, Georgia Department of Labor, Cobb Works, Technical College System of Georgia Office of Military Affairs, NCESGR/Emory Veterans Outreach, Marietta Veteran Center, Workforce Investment Opportunities Act, Office of Adult Mental Health and Kennesaw State University. Retired Major General Maria Britt, KSU’s associate vice president for operations, will serve as the guest speaker.

“Our hope through providing the summit for transitioning military and veteran personnel is to reassure and provide necessary resources, not only academically but also emotionally and psychologically through local veteran support organizations,” Munday said. “We are expecting a success and are eager to provide resources to our service members and their families.”

(Marietta, Ga. – March 9, 2016)

Two Chattahoochee Tech Campus Police officers are moving up in rank, bringing an additional wealth of law enforcement knowledge and experience to the department’s already skilled command staff.

Wayne Bennett, CTC’s executive director of Facilities Management and Public Safety, recently announced the promotions of Jeffery Youngkin and Robert McDowell to the rank of sergeant. Sgt. Youngkin will supervise the Marietta, Paulding, Mountain View and Austell campuses and Sgt. McDowell will oversee the Appalachian, Canton, Woodstock and North Metro campuses.

Their promotions come on the heels of Alfredrick Campbell being named CTC’s new deputy chief of police in December. Campbell is a retired Cobb County Police Department lieutenant and has also worked for the City of Marietta, Georgia State University and Kennesaw State University police. Additional members of the CTC Campus Police Department command staff include Lynn Quick, communications and records manager, and Tim Hilley, the department’s training officer.

Pictured, from left, are newly promoted sergeants Jeffery Youngkin and Robert McDowell, Police Chief Charles Spann, Communications/Records Manager Lynn Quick, Training Officer Tim Hilley and Deputy Chief Alfredrick Campbell.

“These are individuals who I would trust with any task, and that’s the most important element when putting together a command staff. It is critical to have individuals who not only do the job they are hired to do, but they also are capable of picking up behind you,” CTC Campus Police Chief Charles Spann said. “We are proud to have both Sgt. McDowell and Sgt. Youngkin as members of our command staff. These officers bring a great deal of law enforcement experience to an already skilled police force.”

Sgt. McDowell joined CTC’s Department of Public Safety as a part-time police officer in August of 2010 after retiring from the Cobb County Police Department, where he served as a patrol officer and as an investigator in felony crimes against persons as well as internal affairs. McDowell, from 1998 to 2005, also worked as a departmental polygrapher, conducting more than 700 polygraph tests. He additionally served as a member of the Cobb County Police crisis negotiation team from 1994 to 2010. Sgt. McDowell rose up the ranks at Cobb County Police, serving as a sergeant and supervisor over uniform patrol.

In 2012, McDowell became a full-time officer with the CTC Campus Police Department and served as the lead officer at the North Metro Campus before being transfered to the Mountain View Campus, where he continued the role of lead officer.

Sgt. Youngkin moved to Georgia in 1978 and started his career with the Cobb County Police Department in 1982. He was promoted to sergeant in 1989 and then to lieutenant in 1994. During his tenure with Cobb County Police, he served in many different areas of responsibility, including uniform patrol, investigations, narcotics, intelligence and motorcycle patrol. Sgt. Youngkin retired from Cobb County Police in 2011 with more than 29 years of service. He joined the CTC Campus Police Department in January of 2013 and served as lead officer at the Paulding Campus.

(Acworth, Ga. – March 16, 2016)

Chattahoochee Technical College’s Executive Director for Adult Education Tamika Phillips has been named runner up for Outstanding Administrator of the Year by the Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE) – an award she was nominated for by Beverly Smith, assistant commissioner over the adult education programs for the Technical College System of Georgia.

Tamika Phillips named runner up for Outstanding Administrator of the Year by the Commission on Adult Basic Education

COABE is a 13,000 member organization that exists to provide leadership, communication, professional development and advocacy for adult education and literacy opportunities. The commission’s mission is to inspire educators so adults succeed and communities thrive. COABE provides a variety of services, including competitive national-level awards, incentive grants and scholarship opportunities through special funding provided by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.

“I feel so honored and so thankful to Beverly Smith and the state office team for the nomination. There are so many talented and wonderful administrators in the Adult Education program in Georgia, so I know that this was not an easy task,” Phillips said.

In 2014, Phillips was named executive director over CTC’s Adult Education program, and prior to being appointed to this position, she served as director of adult education, coordinator of instruction and as a correctional instructor at the Muscogee County Schools Adult Education Program in Columbus, Ga. At each level of professional service, Phillips has been actively involved with curriculum and instructional leadership initiatives that enabled her to demonstrate originality, imagination, scholarly preparation and competence in the delivery of training to adult teachers and administrative staff. She is an educator, motivational speaker and community activist who seeks to encourage, empower and equip others with the tools they need to succeed in this world.

“In my daily routine at Chattahoochee Technical College, I strive to work each day as if it were my first day on the job. I wake up daily with the mind set of doing my absolute best and focusing on the areas I can improve to make each day better than the day before,” Phillips said.

Phillips, who was an honor graduate of G.W. Carver High School in Columbus, Ga., was awarded a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Services and a master’s degree in Community Counseling from Troy State University. She is currently earning a doctoral degree in Counselor Education at Argosy University.

Outside of CTC, Phillips has done extensive volunteer work through community and civic organizations. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, 100 Women on the Move, Bartow Collaborative, Cherokee FOCUS, Pickens CLCP, Cherokee County CLCP, Literacy Alliance, The Bridge Program and Georgia Association of Women in Higher Education. She has been the recipient of the Mountain Movers Community Service Award and was named American Business Women’s Association’s Woman of the Year in 2010.

Fifteen Chattahoochee Technical College horticulture students celebrated over the weekend after learning that the team had fared well in the 40th Annual National Collegiate Landscape Competition ­– a three-day event designed to jumpstart horticultural careers for college students.

Fifteen Chattahoochee Technical College horticulture students recently attended the 40th Annual National Collegiate Landscape Competition. Pictured, from left, are: Asa Weems, Heiny Martinez, Sylvia Ramey, William Kramer, Molly Ferguson, Scott Faulkner, Darious Hopkins, Aaron Driver, Josh Schrager, Dylan Cochran, Nathaniel Brigham, Corey Cantlon, Luke Brummeler, Denna Pace, Nathan Byrd and Instructor John Hatfield.

Organized by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (formerly known as PLANET), the event was held March 16-19 at Mississippi State University. More than 600 students from approximately 65 universities and colleges competed in events directly related to the skills necessary for a career in the Green Industry, including tree climbing, hardscape installation, wood construction, sales presentation, skid steer operation, and plant identification. They also participated in a career fair that allows recruiters from approximately 75 companies to interview students for jobs.

Led by instructor John Hatfield, Chattahoochee Technical College’s team scored a combined 2393.30 points at the competition to secure a 23rd-place finish. Along with the school’s overall achievement, CTC student and Hiram resident Scott Faulkner was announced as a top finisher at the event, placing 20th out of 683 individual competitors and scoring 346.50 points in the five events he competed in.

In addition, CTC student Aaron Driver, of Powder Springs, earned a sixth-place finish in the business management event; Nathan Byrd, of Powder Springs, finished third in compact excavator operation; Darious Hopkins, of Powder Springs, and Driver finished 10th in hardscape installation; and Denna Pace, of Woodstock, finished ninth in turf and weed identification.

Additional members of Chattahoochee Technical College’s team were: William Kramer, of Marietta; Nathaniel Brigham, of Marietta; Dylan Cochran, of Adairsville; Sylvia Ramey, of Marietta; Josh Schrager, of Marietta; Luke Brummeler, of Marietta; Heiny Martinez, of Atlanta; Asa Weems, of Marietta; Molly Ferguson, of Marietta; and Corey Cantlon, of Dallas.

(Marietta, Ga. – March 24, 2016)

A group of 11 Chattahoochee Technical College students recently competed in the annual SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center. Five students earned gold medals at the state level and now will continue on to the SkillsUSA National Championship, which will be held June 22-27 in Louisville, Ky.

SkillsUSA is a national, nonprofit student organization that has developed more than 10 million workers through active partnerships between employers and educators. Hundreds of American industries have turned to SkillsUSA as the source for employees who exemplify “Champions at Work” in both skills and attitudes.

During a SkillsUSA Georgia event, Chattahoochee Technical College student Michael Wells performs a traffic stop on Cobb County Police Explorer Oscar Escarcega, of Marietta.

The SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference was held March 17-19 and included a large career fair, seminars and a chance for students to network with other students in various fields of study. The event culminates with a multi-location competition covering approximately 100 areas of technical, health and service education.

Competing in areas such as automotive technology, industrial motor control, criminal justice, culinary arts and motorcycle repair, students from Chattahoochee Technical College tested their talents against other students enrolled in the trade, technical and skills service professions. According to CTC Electrical Systems Technology Instructor Joe Kazemian, the event is a way for students to apply what they have learned from a certain program of study.

“The SkillsUSA competition gives CTC students who are competing a chance to see what they have gained from a program of study so that when they go out to a job site, they know what to expect,” Kazemian said. “The students are also judged on how well they interview, which is beneficial because it prepares them for the types of questions they might be asked in the field when they go for a future job interview.”

Chattahoochee Technical College’s gold medalists included LaMatra Barefield, of McDonough, who competed in culinary arts; Michael Wells, of Woodstock, who competed in the criminal justice event; and Michelle Malone, of Marietta, Karen Higdon, of Marietta, and Michael Poulos, of Canton, who competed as a team in crime scene investigation. CTC students Brandon Musser, of Smyrna, took home silver in motorcycle repair and Ashley Woods, of Atlanta, received bronze in commercial baking.