Albany Technical College to hold High School Partners Workshop Wednesday

February 2, 2012 - Albany Technical College will hold its annual High School Partners Workshop on Friday, February 3, 2012, from 8 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. in the Kirkland Conference Center. The purpose of this event is to provide information to high school counselors, technical education directors, graduation coaches and other high school officials in an effort to encourage high school students to consider technical education.

Special speakers for this event include: Dr. Elizabeth Ragsdale with the Second Congressional District State Board of Education, who will speak on “Careers Through Education” and Emmett Griswold, Dean of Academic Affairs at Albany Technical College, who will speak on “Go Build Georgia” programs through Albany Tech. “Go Build Georgia” is a new initiative through the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development (GOWD) designed to educate young people on the value of learning a trade, dispel their misconceptions about the skilled trade industry and inspire them to consider building a career as a skilled tradesman. “Go Build Georgia” aims to provide better opportunities for craft tradesmen, more highly skilled employees for businesses and enhanced economic development for Georgia and the nation.

In the afternoon, several representatives from the Student Service division at Albany Tech will hold presentations. Lisa DeJesus, Dean of Admissions at Albany Tech, will discuss “What is new in Admissions”; Helen Catt, Director of Financial Aid, will present “Is there HOPE?” – the latest news on the HOPE scholarship and grant in Georgia; and Regina Watts, Special Needs Coordinator will present “Focus on Abilities.” In addition, Betty Steel, High School Coordinator at Albany Tech, will present “Start Your Career Through Education Early at ATC” and focus on the benefits of dual and joint enrollment, where students can earn college credit while still in high school.

A special presentation will be given toward the end of the day by Michelle Lilly, Students Achieving Success in Engineering Technology (SASET) Program Director at Albany Tech, on “How will the Students Achieving Success in Engineering Technology grant benefit high school students?” SASET is a part of a grant Albany Tech received last year to promote engineering technology programs. Currently, Albany Tech offers three engineering technology programs, which include Civil Engineering Technology, Electromechanical Engineering Technology, and Telecommunications Engineering Technology. Students have the option of earning an associate degree in these programs with Albany Tech and transitioning into a bachelor’s degree program through Albany Tech’s agreement signed last year with Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta.

Attendees will have the opportunity to tour occupational areas and learn about existing and new program offerings at Albany Tech. Specific tour areas for the afternoon include: the Center of Excellence in Electronics and Information Technology, Civil Engineering Technology, Electronics, Telecommunications, and Drafting.


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