The Edge - Fall 2023 Edition : simplebooklet.com

Happy Fall, Y’all! To paraphrase the popular movie line, “Build it, and they will come.” Well, we built it, and they have certainly arrived. The college has welcomed over 9,800 students this fall semester for a record enrollment. That is a 16% increase over last fall. So, what have we built? The easy answer is our new $42 million Emerging Technologies building equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for the now and the capability to adapt and progress with the future. However, I believe we have actually built together a reputation for quality instruction, unmatched student support, and a faculty and sta with a dedication to service and an unwavering drive to be the best. These traits, along with the support of our business and industry community and their acknowledgment and belief in our students to be the workforce of today and the future, is what made these almost 10,000 students believe correctly that Gwinnett Tech is where successful futures are built for generations. So, thank you to all our remarkable faculty, sta, and our amazing business partners as we celebrate a new era at Gwinnett Technical College. However, we are not resting. 2024 is going to bring even more exciting announcements and progress. We will never stop building on this foundation of success and service you all have made possible. Happy Holidays, and I wish you all peace and some relaxing time with your families and friends. I hope the new year brings you success and joy!D. Glen CannonPresident, Gwinnett Technical CollegeA Message from The President<< Gwinnett Tech’s new Computer Information Systems, Cybersecurity and EmergingTechnologies BuildingGWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE / THE EDGE 5

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Sta SpotlightHow long have you worked at Gwinnett Tech?20 years – I started working at Gwinnett Tech April 1, 2003What is the most rewarding part of your job?Supporting students and helping them get past the pitfalls and problems that hinder them from focusing on their studies.What do you want other faculty and staff to know about your position?There are 3 distinct aspects or areas I cover in my position: Special Populations includes several groups of students: disabled, single parents, economically disadvantaged, students in non-traditional careers, students who have aged out of the foster care system, students with limited English proﬁciency, and homeless students. Disability Services is governed by federal regulations to ensure that students receive reasonable accommodations.Equity Coordinator for students – this includes Title IX, harassment, discrimination, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act, and AccessibilityTHE EDGE | GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE6What do you love about Gwinnett Tech and why?Everyday, I feel as if I am making a dierence in the student’s life. It may be small, but every act of kindness can be all a student needs to reach their goal.Also, I love my co-workers. I am truly blessed to work with people who inspire and support me every day. Why is career and technical education important?I come from a long line of technical college graduates. I have personal knowledge of how technical skills are the backbone of this country. Career and technical education gets people to work quickly and it fuels our economy. What do you like to do outside of work?When I have free time, I love to ﬁsh and to do puzzles. Also, I love to spend time with my family and my grandson. I also enjoy watching or attending the South Carolina Gamecocks football games (most of the time).What is your favorite book or movie?Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers is my favorite book.

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Faculty SpotlightHow long have you worked at Gwinnett Tech?Almost 12 years What is the most rewarding part of your job?The most rewarding thing is for bioscience graduates to succeed in starting new jobs and building a career for themselves.What do you want other faculty and staff to know about your position?Being a bioscience director is a highly technical position, so many advanced instruments, curriculum development, and methodology are involved in our teaching practices. Because our graduates need to be ready to work in the bioscience industry, the skill sets that our students gain are more advanced than any graduates with a bachelor’s degree in science. What do you love about Gwinnett Tech and why?There are so many things to love about working at Gwinnett Tech; ﬁrst, the support we get from the leadership and management is limitless, very supportive, and helpful. Second, I feel we are a big family; we know and support each other. Third is the diversity; our student population is very diverse, coming from so many dierent backgrounds and cultures, which is very beautiful.Why is career and technical education important?Technical education is the future; it is the answer to the lack of skilled employees in the industry and our economy. It is the type of education that focuses on what really matters so Students can graduate in two years with advanced skills and ready for the workforce. What do you like to do outside of work?Playing and watching sports, I love all kinds of sports: football, soccer, baseball, and basketball. I played soccer in high school and college teams. My favorite soccer team is Bayern Munchen, Football is Georgia Bulldogs, and NFL is the Falcons.What is your favorite book or movie?I like so many books, but my favorite movie is FURY by actor Brad Pitt, and I love National Geographic.THE EDGE | GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE8

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Kudos!! From EnCore AcademyI wanted to let you know about four superstars at Gwinnett Tech: Padma Vedula, Alisa Miller, Lisa Richardson, and Erica Sillmon. The four of them have been instrumental in helping our students and families in the EnCORE Academy to begin their college careers. Alisa has been incredible in helping us navigate the admissions process, work through issues, hosting a tour, answering countless questions, jumping on phone calls, and always being patient and smiling through it all. Lisa has been amazing in working with the students as they identify their accommodations. She has guided them and their families through the process and helped them transition to the higher education landscape in a seamless way.Erica met with me to understand expectations, joined the orientation on a Friday before term started, provided an overview for families, and responded to questions. The students are so impressed with how quickly she responds to inquiries.Padma has been there from the very beginning as an advocate, a constant source for identifying people who can help, answering questions, and ensuring the families, students, and I are nding answers and resources. She never hesitates to jump in and help. While many may see this as part of their job, I have to say all of them have truly gone above and beyond in helping to get this program o the ground. What I have briey stated above doesn’t scratch the surface of how much they have done. Their heart, enthusiasm, and passion for supporting students, especially our students and our community, truly reects Gwinnett’s mission for inclusivity and accessibility. Our students and families would not have had the opportunity to attend college if it weren’t for them and for Gwinnett Tech!GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE / THE EDGE 13

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THE EDGE | GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE14Department &Division UpdatesAcademic Affairs .................................. 15Library Services ...................................... 15Adult Education ................................... 16Administrative Services ............................ 17Communications .................................. 17Foundation ....................................... 18Human Resources ................................. 19Student Affairs ...................................20Assessment Center ................................... 21Career Services ......................................22Student Life ......................................22-25Special Populations ................................26-30WIOA ............................................... 31Technology Operations and Safety ................... 32Campus Police .......................................32Facilities/Maintenance ................................33IT ...................................................33Security .............................................33

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GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE / THE EDGE Academic AffairsGWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE / THE EDGE 15Library ServicesMeet the Library Staff!Jozina “Jody” CappelloLibrarian at ANFAlthough originally from New York, I have lived up and down the eastern coast, eventually landing here in the State of Georgia. I started my library career as a student worker for the SUNY Bualo Health Science Library and then went on to work as a professional sta member for The Atlanta College of Art and Georgia State University. After an eighteen-year hiatus in public library service, I returned to academics as the Librarian for the ANF campus. I truly love working with our students, both while teaching Library Workshops and while acting as an advisor for Skills USA and the ANF Multicultural Club. My husband and I have been blessed with two beautiful children, who bring us all the joys that children do. For leisure activities, I like to listen to audio books and travel about my new home state.Deborah GeorgeDirector of Library ServiceI’ve worked around books all my adult life, starting at Bookstop in Austin, Texas, as I ﬁnished college. I’m retired from Gwinnett County Public Library and now truly enjoying working with students and faculty at Gwinnett Tech. I’m a native Georgian and love all the wonderful opportunities the state provides, including beautiful hikes, exciting Atlanta, and our world-class airport for traveling. In my spare time, I enjoy working in my gardens at home with my husband and our two big, sweet dogs, and spending time with our adult son and daughter. Keitaro MikamiLibrary AssociateHello, my name is Keitaro. Prior to working at GTC, I worked for Fulton and Gwinnett County public library systems, where I developed my passion for assisting library patrons with their research and information needs. In addition, I have business management experience from my time as a manager of a strength and conditioning facility in Michigan. I also completed an 11-month term of national service with AmeriCorps on Cape Cod, where I completed over 1,700 hours of volunteer service. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, competing in open-water swimming competitions, and playing guitar. Lakshmi RamachandranLibrary AssociateHello, my name is Lakshmi. I am originally from India but have been living in Gwinnett with my husband and two children for over 30 years. I truly enjoy working at Gwinnett Technical College community. Apart from books, I enjoy gardening, puzzles, and hiking.Yvette WilliamsAssistant Director of Library ServicesI began working at Gwinnett Tech in 2006. But my library days started out working as a Library Page at the Mid-Manhattan Library of the New Public Library while attending college. As an avid reader, I always enjoy sharing my stories and listening to stories from library patrons. The atmosphere is very conducive to my personality, and my love for helping individuals meet their information needs brings out the best in me. In my spare time, I love to garden, but most of all, I enjoy traveling. I am still on a Tokyo high from my most recent trip. I also have two adult children, which is the highlight of my life. It’s a sincere pleasure to see their growth.

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Department & Divisions UpdateTHE EDGE | GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE16Adult EducationThey Did It!• Elia Down’s sons Michael and Gabriel graduated from Mill Creek HS and attends Kennesaw State University.• Erika Lele’s son Alexander graduated from Dacula HS and attends the University of North Georgia.• Cathy Ensing’s son Parker received his engineering graduate degree from UGA and has accepted a job in Washington, DC.• Andrea Fairclough’s daughter Zahria, a 2023 graduate of the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GSMST) and now a Fall freshman at the University of South Florida (USF, Tampa) - College of Public Health.EliaErikaCathyAndrea<< ZahriaTraci• Tony Notarides has been promoted to Director of ESL• Larry Salter is now our Lead GED Testing Specialist• The Adult Education Teacher of the Year, Yolanda Usry, has been promoted to Director of Integrated Education and Training.Tony LarryYolandaMovin’ On Up!Traci Lewin and Fithe Heramo received proposals and said, “Yes!” Fithe will marry in Ethiopia this December, and Traci’s nuptials are September 2025.JulieHe’s So Cute!Julie Bruce welcomed her ﬁrst grandchild! Over the summer, her daughter Amber gave birth to a son, Bruce.Kathy Ellis, an adjunct ESL instructor, is releasing her third book of poetry, which should be on the shelves by the end of the year. The title is Marvela and the Broken Waters, an illustrated adventure story in poetry form on injustice, healing, and feminism, which a local publisher accepted.

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GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE / THE EDGE 17Administrative ServicesCommunications Latasha Skipper, Director of Student Accounts, has been nominated by Sonya McDaniel, Vice President of Administration, to attend the Administrative Services Executive Academy. The intent of the Academy is to provide an overview of many of the administrative functions. Areas such as Foundations, Asset Management, Bonds, Financial Aid, Budget, Safety, Human Resources, and, of course, the all-inclusive “Other Responsibilities” will be discussed. There will be four sessions: September, November, February, and May. Attendance is required at all four sessions to complete the Academy. The ﬁrst meeting was held at Central Georgia Technical College in Warner Robins on Thursday, September 7. The Academy will conclude with a celebration in May 2024. FUN FACT! Everyone on the Communications team (5 out of 6 of us!) are left-handed, except Melissa. We welcomed Jeremy Statum, Digital Media Coordinator, to the team on September 1! Many of you will see Jeremy around campus taking photos and videos to support all of your marketing and communication needs!We launched the new Campus Calendar on SharePoint! When you log into SharePoint, you will see the new calendar on the homepage below the news section. The calendar will be updated with all on-campus events, holiday closures, deadlines, and happenings across both campuses. This is to provide you with an overview of all things Gwinnett Tech and keep you in the know!<< Glenda Macawile was recently in the heart of Switzerland’s Bernina Pass, near Lago Bianco. She also traveled through Germany and Lichtenstein.Marybeth Wydock >>went backpacking in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parksthis past summer.

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GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE / THE EDGE 19LaShanta Cox received her SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resources Management Certiﬁed Professional) certiﬁcate in May. We are so delighted to inform you that the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) has partnered with the State of Georgia’s (SOG) Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Kepro. Eectively, immediately, we will no longer use ESPYR as our EAP provider. Employees, their eligible loved ones, and household members can call the dedicated SOG toll-free number - 833.276.0988 – for all requests for services and questions. This dedicated number is staed by a live Kepro clinician 24 hours daily. The EAP website is www.EAPhelplink.com, and the Company Code is Georgia. Please explore the EAP website. It contains valuable content, assessments, seminars, etc., with the content updated at least weekly. More information is available on SharePoint and can be found under the Human Resources Division Home page and by scrolling down to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Click on the tab for more information about the products and services Kepro oers.Human ResourcesThe EQUIP Corner “The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.” – B.B. King Have you missed a webinar or want training on demand? Check out the Training & Communications page on SharePoint. You can access previous webinars by clicking the Past EQUIP Learning Session Icon. There are over 50 dierent recordings covering topics such as Blackboard, Customer Service, Wellness, and more. You can also access training on demand through STARLINK and Kepro, featured on the Training & Communications page. Keep a look out on SharePoint for additional professional development opportunities this Fall. Remember to input your training into the HR Training Log! If you have a speciﬁc topic that you would like to present, ideas, or recommendations for presenters, please email me at amathis@GwinnettTech.edu.

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GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE / THE EDGE 21The Assessment Center welcomes three new Testing Specialists. Amy Tate and Tonya Beck join Martha Szafranek at the Lawrenceville Assessment Center as new Testing Specialists. Amy (right) comes to Gwinnett Tech from the Peace Ocer’s Annuity & Beneﬁt Fund of Georgia, where she was an Account Specialist. She also worked at Southern Crescent Technical College, administering TABE and GED practice tests. At Southern Crescent, Amy worked with Adult Education, serving as a case manager and adviser. Amy was recognized by the ACEC Adult Learner’s Association as an adult learner when she returned to school to complete her bachelor’s degree. She and her husband recently relocated from Grin, GA, and are having fun learning the area. Fun fact! Amy likes to find unique coee shops. Ask her about the Alice in Wonderland-themed coee house. Tonya (center) returns to GTC after spending ﬁve years at Atlanta Technical College, where she was the Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Operations and Information Technology. She has expertise in Team Georgia Marketplace, monitoring purchase orders, and vendor payments. At GTC, Tonya worked with the Construction and Trades Division. In addition, Tonya has worked at Western Kentucky University in the Oce of Distant and Independent Learning. Fun fact! Tonya is also a Gwinnett Tech graduate. She then went back to school at the age of 53 to finish her BA degree. She loves to advise adults returning to school. Elaine Murzello joins Dr. Dyer at the ANF Assessment Center as our new part-time Testing Specialist. Elaine comes to Gwinnett Tech with a vast amount of customer service experience. Most recently, she owned and operated Sweet Stu LLC, a company focused on specialty and novelty cakes. As a successful small business owner for over 15 years, Elaine has experience maintaining legal and compliance obligations, licensing, permits, marketing, ﬁnancial reporting, and customer service. In addition, she served as a Kumon teacher for math and reading. Fun fact! Elaine was an airline stewardess for East-West Airlines, Mumbai, India, where she handled daily customer service issues. Assessment Center

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Department & Divisions UpdateTHE EDGE | GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE24Student Life welcomed about 2,000 people to the GTC Back to School Bash! The much-anticipated traditional unveiling of our new t-shirt design was met with much enthusiasm. There was a house where you could feed butterﬂies, bunnies to take polaroid’s with, a salsa band, live steel drum music, fantastic international fruit cups, delicious street tacos, and so much more! Students had a chance to get information about ways to get involved with student organizations and student competitions. They also had the opportunity to ﬁnd out about resources on campus and connect with representatives from multiple departments. Many non-proﬁts who serve our area were on hand to share about how they also assist our students. The positive energy was contagious as students, sta, and faculty networked to build opportunities for a fabulous 2023- 2024 school year. A special shout out to everyone across the campus who played a role in making this possible. Your eorts surely enrich lives. For that, and so much more, we are thankful.

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Department & Divisions Update16The Special Populations Department of our college campus recently celebrated a remarkable milestone – the 20th work anniversary of our Special Populations and Title IX director – Lisa Richardson. The occasion was a momentous one, marking two decades of dedicated service to the students and population(s) members who rely on our department’s programs and support. The celebration was a heartfelt tribute to our director, who has been an inspiring leader and advocate for our Gwinnett Tech students. Over the years, she has worked tirelessly to create programs and services that promote inclusion, diversity, and accessibility for all members of our community. The event was attended by sta members and friends who have been touched by our director’s passion and commitment. The mood was festive, with food, music, and decorations reﬂecting the celebratory spirit of the occasion. As the event drew to a close, Lisa Richardson expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of support and appreciation. She shared her own reﬂections on the past 20 years and the challenges and rewards of her work. She expressed her deep pride in the accomplishments of her team and the many students and community members who have beneﬁted from our department’s programs and services. The celebration of Lisa’s 20th anniversary is a powerful reminder of the importance of our work in the Special Populations Department. It was a time to honor and celebrate the dedication and passion of our director, who has inspired us all to work harder and strive for excellence in everything we do. Lisa’s passion and commitment are contagious, and we know that our department will continue to thrive and make a dierence in the lives of those with accommodations for many years to come. Congratulations Lisa!26Special PopulationsLisa Richardson Celebrates 20 Years of ServiceTHE EDGE | GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE

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GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE / THE EDGE 17GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE / THE EDGE 27Special Populations receives Hope Baskets In partnership with Embark Georgia, Gwinnett Technical College received 35 Hope Baskets to support the Special Populations community. These donations, generously contributed by Lydia’s Place, will grant our students access to essential resources and items they might otherwise struggle to aord. Furthermore, this contribution will empower the Special Populations department to broaden our oerings, ensuring top-quality products for our students. It will also alleviate ﬁnancial obstacles that often hinder academic success. Lydia’s Place exempliﬁes compassion by oering fundamental support to young adults who have faced foster care or housing insecurity, fostering their journey toward independence. On October 19 and 20, 2023, The Society for Diversity hosted their virtual 2023 Neurodiversity Summit. Three selected Gwinnett Technical College - Special Populations students were chosen to serve on a Neurodiversity student panel. The panel discussion helped raise awareness about the challenges neurodivergent college students face as they ready themselves for the workplace. Here is a high-level overview of the summit objectives: • Share (versus teach) the fantastic stories and unique lived experiences of neuro-diverse individuals for innovation, accessibility, and user experience enhancements.• Strengthen employers’ abilities to attract, develop, include, engage, and retain neuro-diverse/neurodivergent individuals and people with disabilities.• Foster bias-free environments where neuro-diverse individuals can thrive at school/work and enhance their skills while maintaining an authentic identity.• Maximize the potential and eectiveness of neurodivergent and neurotypical leaders.• Increase the knowledge of neurotypical sta by providing new ideas for learning, information-sharing, and allyship.• Cultivate belonging and a sense of community for neurodivergent employees in the workplace. In addition, The Society for Diversity made a generous donation to our college’s food pantry. This level of support will allow our department to further our commitment to creating an inclusive and nurturing environment for all students, ensuring that their needs are met beyond the classroom.lydias-place.com 2023 Neurodiversity Summit/Food Donation

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Department & Divisions UpdateIn the spirit of partnership and awareness, Gwinnett Technical College’s Nursing Program, Special Populations department and our Recruitment team, partnered with the Lawrenceville-Duluth Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. in the 2023 Elevate Health & Scholarship 5K and Health Fair. This event, was held on April 15th, 2023 and was dedicated to increasing health awareness.The Gwinnett Tech Nursing Program, under the direction of Dr. NeTwaski M. Rochell, had the opportunity to participate in the 5k run and provide hands-on training for blood pressure checks, as well as hand out information on healthy eating, diet, and exercise. Our students were able to apply their skills in real-life situations and interact with patients. They took measurements carefully and accurately, and were able to provide advice on maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. They provided tips and advice on maintaining a balanced diet and engaging in regular physical activity. This information was well received by the runners, who were interested in learning more about how to live a healthy lifestyle. It was an incredible experience that not only beneﬁted the runners but also helped our students to gain valuable experience in the ﬁeld.The Gwinnett Tech Recruitment Team had the honor and opportunity to showcase the various programs and opportunities that our institution has to oer. Throughout the event, our Recruitment team was able to connect with many enthusiastic runners who were excited about the prospect of joining our college community. Our Recruitment team answered questions about our admissions requirements, programs oered, scholarship opportunities, and we even had a few runners sign up for campus tours and information sessions on the spot. Lastly, runners had the chance to walk away with some great Gwinnett Tech swag.During the month of March, 2023, the Special Populations department solicited food donations to support our mission of meeting the needs of our Gwinnett Tech students. This act of kindness 2023 Elevate Health & Scholarship 5K and Health Fair1628THE EDGE | GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE

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eliminated food disparities that may exist among the campus population. In kind of these eorts, the Lawrenceville-Duluth Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., held a food drive on Gwinnett Tech’s behalf at the 2023 Elevate Health & Scholarship 5K and Health Fair. The event was a testament to the power of community spirit and the food drive was a tremendous success. The response was beyond what anyone could have imagined. Participants in the 5k run and members of the community showed their support by bringing bags and boxes of food to donate. The donations were so plentiful that volunteers had to scramble to ﬁnd enough space to store them all! Thanks to the eorts of the Special Populations department, the 5k run, and the generosity of the community, Gwinnett Tech received a vast array of non-perishable food items that will help feed those in need for months to come.Overall, the 5k run was an incredible opportunity for Gwinnett Tech to provide a valuable service to the community. We were grateful for the opportunity to participate in such an event and look forward to more opportunities like this in the future.Special Populations Lisa Richardson – Director of Special Populations and Title IXJuan Wilson – Disabilities Service CoordinatorPatricia Robinson – Special Services CoordinatorGwinnettTech.edu/special-population/ Nursing ProgramGwinnettTech.edu/registerednursingadn/ Recruitment DepartmentGwinnettTech.edu/visit/ Kappa Alpha Psi – Lawrenceville-Duluth Alumnae Chapterinfo@ldackappas.comldackappas.comGWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE / THE EDGE 29GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE / THE EDGE

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For many students, the cost of textbooks and other required reading materials can be a signiﬁcant barrier to success. The high cost of textbooks can create a ﬁnancial burden that may force students to choose between purchasing required materials and paying for basic necessities such as rent, food, and transportation. This dilemma can have a profound impact on a student’s academic performance and overall success in college. Recognizing this challenge, Gwinnett Technical College Special Populations Department continues to provide service for our students via the Lending Library Book Program. This program eliminates challenges that may hinder the successful completion of courses and/or programs of study. Students who have accessed the program have reported feeling less stressed and more conﬁdent in completing coursework, resulting in higher retention rates and improved academic performance. Additionally, the program has helped promote equity and inclusivity by giving all students equal access to necessary resources. This resource has been a tremendous success at our college since its inception in Spring 2023. The Lending Library Book Program has provided 94 students with book assistance, and our library has grown from six resources to over 150 lendable resources. The program has been a success for several reasons. Still, it has mostly brought together students facing similar challenges, which has helped create a support system for students who might feel isolated or overwhelmed.To apply for this service, students must:1. Be a registered Gwinnett Technical College student.2. Provide a registered school schedule. 3. Complete the Lending Library Book Program Application. 4. Member of at least one special population group.Approval is based on eligibility, availability, and available monetary sponsorship resources. Approval is not guaranteed. Upon completing the semester, students must return all books and/or materials in good condition. The Special Populations department would like to thank the following departments for serving as Pick-up/Drop-o locations for students:• Recruitment• Disabilities services• Library services• RetentionThe Lending Library book program is an innovative way of supporting our students. Donations from individuals, organizations, and businesses sustain it. The donations can be textbooks, funds, or any other resource that can support the program. The college welcomes all types of donations, and donating is easy. If you are connected and/or have connections to resources to help the Lending Library Book Program grow, please contact Patricia Robinson - Special Services Coordinator, for additional information. The Lending Library Book Program at our college has been a tremendous success, and together, we can help to ensure that all students have access to the textbooks they need to succeed in their studies. The Special Populations department is proud to provide this service to our students, and for more information, please contact: • Lisa Richardson: Lawrenceville Campus 678-226-669, LRichardson@GwinnettTech.edu Building 100/Room 708• Patricia Robinson: Lawrenceville Campus 678-226-690, PRobinson@GwinnettTech.edu Building 100/Room 722• Juan Wilson: Alpharetta-North Fulton Campus 470-282-5453, jwilson@gwinnetttech.edu Student Aairs Suite A-162Department & Divisions UpdateThe Lending Library Book Program Continues to Eradicate Barriers to Student Success THE EDGE | GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE30

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THE EDGE | GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE36WIT Campus + Cisco Scholarship Finalist & WinnerThe Gwinnett Technical College WIT club is proud to have Miss April Chang named as a ﬁnalist and the winner of the 2023 WIT Campus + Cisco Scholarship. Miss Chang was the recipient of a 2023 Cisco WIT Campus Scholarship totaling $25,000.00. Gwinnett Technical College was once again honored to be the only 2-year college with a ﬁnalist and winner among other high schools and four-year colleges.After attending the CCN meeting in July, Asad Khan announced that Gwinnett Tech tied for 4th out of 100 colleges around the country in the College Convergence Network for this past year in terms of accomplishments and points earned. The CCN National Leaderboard is tallied based on the number of points a member college earns. These points are earned and reported in an annual report each Spring, which is submitted to CCN.Out of 100 colleges, Gwinnett Tech is also one of 10 Level 1 members, awarded to colleges who have earned at least 24 points in consecutive years and maintained that status.The leaderboard was unveiled at the CCN meeting some of us had the pleasure to attend in person this week in Dallas. Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta VisitDr. Albena Asenova Belal hosted a visit from Mrs. Krista deKryger, the Programs & Partnerships Advisor for the Talent Acquisition/Human Resources department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Mrs. deKryger hopes to collaborate with our CIS Division, Career Services, and Launch Pointe to provide our students with internship and career opportunities. CIS Team Members Mr. Mark Harris, Mrs. Kimberly Jackson, and Mr. Eric Nims also provided presentation and tour assistance for this visit.Gwinnett Tech is in the Top 4 Nationally in CCN

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GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE / THE EDGE 37Mr. Asad Khan, Program Director, Networking, received recognition in the College Heroes & Updates section of the Q3 Edition of the TCSG Student Aairs Newsletter. Mr. Khan was recognized for his commitment to being a key member of the TCSG team, and for making an impact in the daily lives of others.CIS Mentoring Program Re-LaunchWe are thrilled to share the remarkable success of our recent CIS Mentoring Program’s Relaunch Event held on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, which generated an incredible in-person and online turnout of over 100 enthusiastic students and mentors. This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our team and the growing recognition of the value our mentoring services bring to our student community. It’s truly heartening to witness the eagerness and appreciation of the students who actively participated in the program.The overwhelming attendance and positive feedback we’ve received rearm the importance of providing mentorship opportunities. Students have expressed their gratitude for the guidance and support they’ve received and continue to receive, emphasizing how it has not only enriched their academic journey but also provided valuable insights for personal and professional growth. We are committed to continuing and expanding these initiatives, fostering a culture of learning and collaboration, and empowering our students to achieve their fullest potential. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this program, and we look forward to even greater achievements in the future.Dean Anderson Interviewed by Gwinnett Daily PostDean Garfield Anderson was interviewed by Chris Starrs for the August 7, 2023 edition of the Gwinnett Daily Post. In an article entitled “Gwinnett Technical College Cybersecurity Program in High Demand,” Dean Anderson shares information regarding the Cybersecurity Program, NSA accreditation, Cybersecurity certiﬁcations, the Cybersecurity Club (ISA), National Cyber League (NCL) competitions, job placement for students and increasing community outreach.Asad Khan Receives Recognition

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EducationThe Education Division partnered with Core Community School to support a mission of diversity, equity, and inclusion by providing access to a community of learners who otherwise would not have access to higher education. Core Community School’s EnCORE Academy is an innovative program that oers meaningful support and tools to students with invisible exceptionalities (such as anxiety, autism, ADHD, and sensory processing) so they successfully begin their ﬁrst year in college, which can lead to career opportunities. Students from EnCORE Academy are high school graduates who have enrolled at Gwinnett Technical College courses at the Alpharetta-North Fulton campus. The Education Division is so proud to help support Gwinnett Technical College’s vision to “Teach every individual” and our commitment to meet the needs of our community and business by supporting and sustaining an accessible, inclusive, and diverse learning environment that will lead students to a rewarding career. Patricia Whitley, FYES Instructor, celebrated the marriage of Chelsea Morgan Craven and Joshua Adam Whitley, who were married locally on August 12 and married again on the open seas (Royal Caribbean Cruise line) on September 19. She is also celebrating Jace Alexander Joon Ho Whitley, who was accepted this June into UGA’s DoubleDawg Mechanical Engineering BSME/Business Administration MBA, allowing undergraduate engineering students to earn both their Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree and an M.B.A. in a total of ﬁve years through this dual program, which is also the ﬁrst and only B.S.M.E./M.B.A. degree oered by the University System of Georgia. Venessa Sylvester, Humanities Adjunct Instructor, son Zane graduated from Apalachee High School as the valedictorian and is going to UGA to study mathematics and joining her other son Broderick, who is there studying physics. She’s a proud mom and wanted to share!THE EDGE | GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE38

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GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE / THE EDGE 39Tim Dineen, History & Political Science Program Director & Abubakarr Fye, Political Science Instructor, have developed a new course oering POLS 2401 – Global Issues. This course has been requested by students looking to deepen their understanding of the role of the United States in world aairs. The course examines problems facing the global community, as well as the prospects for governments, individuals, and international groups to address those problems. The course has three broad areas: the global political economy, human development, inequality, and rights, and global institutions and security. Philip Barlag, History Adjunct Instructor, appeared on the Travel with Rick Steves PBS show and podcast that aired between Wednesday, September 6, - Tuesday, September 12. The whole episode was about Italy, and he was in the second segment. It is now available on the podcast. Phillip is the author of several popular books about the Roman Empire, among other topics. Scan the QR code for the podcast episode.>> Hope Gamboa, History Adjunct Instructor, was appointed as the Assistant Chief Reader for the College Board Advanced Placement US History Exam. Her responsibility entails the oversight and scoring of almost 500,000 exams students take annually to receive college credit. Her role began on July 1, 2023. Tracey Duck, Program Director of Psychology, celebrated Seth Halverson, a 2022 graduate of Gwinnett Tech, who was one of 28 college students accepted to LIFT, an intensive one-year outdoor adventure and leadership training program in the Adirondacks. As part of the program, he will get educational and professional training, complete multiple service projects, acquire advanced outdoor recreational and survival skills, and learn to drive in the snow.

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THE EDGE | GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE40Science Instructors at ANFWe’ve expanded our science oerings at ANF to include Saturday classes for Anatomy & Physiology I! It’s been very popular at that campus with students. Pictured from left to right: Tim Casey (Biology Instructor), Saeideh Sadri (Biology Instructor), Chitra Subramaniam (Science Tutoring Center Coordinator), Hengameh Toosi (Psychology Instructor), Peter Nakhla (Biology Instructor).Black Women in Radio Please join us in extending congratulations to Gwinnett Tech’s very own Angela Greene Johnson. Angela has been a writing tutor at the Learning Success Center since early 2022 and has been an integral part of our team’s success in helping students. Angela has been named as one of Black Women in Radio’s Inaugural 30, a class of women in radio whose careers are being archived in the Library of Congress by the Radio Preservation Society. She traveled to Washington D.C. on April 27 for the inauguration ceremony on April 28 at the Library of Congress. The Black Women in Radio Historic Collection and Oral History project has documented radio career contributions, legacies, and over 150 hours of sound. Angela’s career in radio began in 1986. Presently, she is the Executive Producer of On Point with Juandolyn Stokes on WAOK, and she writes, produces, and hosts Jazz Flavors on WPGN Radio Atlanta. College Dates to RememberNovember 23-24 – Thanksgiving BreakDecember 12-13 – Training Days December 24-January 1 – Holiday BreakJanuary 8-Spring Classes BeginJanuary 15 – MLK Holiday

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Engineering, Construction, Manufacturing and DesignGwinnett County Farm Bureau is proud to present a $1,500 scholarship to Leah Harness to aid in her pursuit of furthering her education with an emphasis on agriculture. Leah is a very deserving student, and we are proud to support her.Kudos!! From Rebecca Davis, GA Mountain Foodbank“I am reaching out to let you know what a positive impact Jonas Dailey and the Gwinnett Tech Farming Program have had on the Georgia Mountain Food Bank. The Georgia Mountain Food Bank is a non-proﬁt organization. We are part of the Feeding America Network of food banks. I met Jonas randomly at a farmer’s market, and we struck up a conversation. He let me know about his program at Gwinnett Tech. I was also able to tour the farm and help harvest some fresh vegetables. His program has generously donated 209 pounds of produce so far this year. In the food banking world, 1.2 pounds of food equals a meal. That means the Farm program at Gwinnett Tech has provided 174 meals to those in need!Horticulture Scholarship AwardedTHE EDGE | GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE42Here are a few statistics about food insecurity in Georgia:• One in every eight people in Georgia experience food insecurity. That means they may have food today, but do not know how they will eat tomorrow.• At the same time, 30 to 40 percent of all the food produced in the United States is wasted. For more info on food waste, please visit reFED.orgWe are so thankful for Jonas and his eorts. Food donation partnerships are a way for organizations to become more sustainable and, more importantly, get food into the hands of those who need it.”

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Nursing SciencesWelcome Catherine NortonWe welcomed Catherine Norton, ADN Instructor, to our Division in May. We are so excited she is here!We welcomed Andreshe’a Caldwell as our new Nursing Lab Manager; she was promoted from Nursing Tutor on July 17. We are so happy to have her as our lab manager!Nursing Tidbits• We welcomed 70 incoming students for Leap Day on August 9th. • We are preparing for BON in the fall and ACEN Site Visit in February of 2024.• We are excited to have graduated 72 seniors in May! • We held our annual Associate Degree in Nursing Pinning Ceremony in May. • Dr. Rochell, ADN Instructor, attended the TCSG Healthcare Emerging Partnerships Round Table discussion in August at Athens Technical College• Dr. Durrant, Dean of Nursing, will have the opportunity to be a site visit observer for ACEN in October, in preparation for our site visit in February.• Dr. Calvin, Medical Assisting Program Director, attended a site visit in Baltimore. He was a site surveyor who visited several campuses in the Baltimore area. There, he was able to assess their medical assisting program. Dr. Calvin met with the campus president, Dean, faculty members, and students to discuss their program. He also had the opportunity to provide feedback pertaining to ﬁndings. This was his second one this year with MAERB.• Alicia Harris, CNA Program Director, the CNA program is transitioning to a fast-track 8-week program from the 16-week traditional program in Spring 2024. This will allow students to complete the NATP (Nurse Aide Training Program) in a shorter period of time. Once completed, students are eligible to sit for the State of Georgia Certiﬁed Nursing Assistant certiﬁcation. This program change will enable students to enter the workforce in half the time as traditional programs. The fast-track CNA course student would be eligible for employment in hospitals, home care, correctional facilities, assisted living facilities, memory care, and long-term care homes.”GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE / THE EDGE 43

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Public and Professional ServicesEarly Childhood Care and EducationThe students in Early Childhood Care & Education explore their creative side during Creative Activities, ECCE 1113, where they learn dierent teaching techniques for art, music, and movement with young children. Students demonstrated and practiced with their peers the appropriate ways to use art techniques, like collaging, beading, ﬁnger painting, tie-dying, and the use of paper mâché with young children. Creativity is a must in any ECCE classroom with young children.THE EDGE | GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE44Automotive TechnologyThe Automotive Technology program was approved by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) for a ﬁve-year accreditation. Gwinnett Tech is one of 11 public colleges in Georgia to hold this level of certiﬁcation.Mopar CAPThe Mopar CAP program was approved by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) at the master level. Gwinnett Tech is one of 11 public colleges in Georgia to hold this level of certiﬁcation.

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Gwinnett Tech students had an impressive showing at the National SkillsUSA, Post-Secondary State Leadership and Skills Conference hosted June 19-23, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia, of the 20 Gwinnett Tech students who competed this year in 12 dierent contests, accompanied by 12 advisors, 17 students placed, with 13 earning gold medals. In addition, Gwinnett Tech had ten students named Skill Point Honorees. SkillsUSA honors competitors who reach a benchmark score, typically 80% or higher, set by business and industry partners. The Gwinnett Tech SkillsUSA chapter was also recognized with two-chapter awards: Level 1 Chapter of Distinction – Chapter of Excellence Program Quality Chapter, and Level 2 Chapter of Distinction GOLD Level-Winning Chapter for its contributions to our students and community. These titles are awarded to chapters that organize high-quality professional development of students’ personal, workplace, and technical skills. Our chapter also participated in the President’s Volunteer Service Award, winning ﬁve GOLD-level chapter awards. Two of our students, Shagufta Khan and Lamekia Bass, won GOLD-level individual awards. To be awarded a gold-level award, individuals and teams must accrue 500+ hours of volunteer work in a 12-month period. The team award GOLD-level recipients include: Team A Team B Team C Team D Team E Dennis Bowers Garﬁeld Anderson Gregory Allen Jozina (Jody) Cappello Albena Asenova Belal Sharon Broady Chantelle Bailey Shane Archibald Charlene Clark Mohamed Belal Kelley Casey Kerri Crean Erin Baggett Lorenzo Clarke Raquel Kangalee Monica Sifuentes Velazquez Danon Dastugue Paul Bodrogi Jamil Nassirruddin Patricia Whitley Steve Jessup Sahng Min Han Lakshmi Ramachandran Margaret Long Kathy Johnson Patricia Robinson Rachel Mariano Asad Khan Johnny Stallings Lisa Richardson Jose Martinez Shaye Tolbert Stephanie Smith Manal Nasir Mark Whittaker If you have already met Vinnie, you know he always has a smile and is ready to crack a joke. He helps keep a lot of our building 100 beautiful. He loves what he does because it “makes people feel good.” He is also known for helping students and visitors ﬁnd their way around campus. One of the reasons he loves working at Gwinnett Tech is because of the “nice people and camaraderie.” In addition to his 17-year career in facilities, he was a volunteer ﬁreﬁghter and was instrumental in helping rescue two people from a second-ﬂoor ﬁre. A claim to fame is that he got to meet Martin Scorsese, the ﬁlm director of his favorite movie, Goodfellas, when he was directing Departed. Next time you see him, be sure to ask him about his mean lasagna and his fur baby, Minnie. Thank you, Vinnie, for all that you do for our campus and our students. GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE / THE EDGE 47Vinnie

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THE EDGE | GWINNETT TECHNICAL COLLEGE48Maya Abboushi .............. Adjunct Instructor, Political ScienceRaﬁa Akhter .................Adjunct Instructor, MechatronicsZahra Alghoul ................ Adjunct Instructor, ChemistryCrystal Ally ..................Admin II, Culinary ArtsKodwo Annan Adjunct Instructor, Degree Level MathematicsKimberly Anthony Adjunct Instructor, Allied Health ScienceJames Artemus ..............Adjunct Instructor, Business ManagementIrene Baldwin ................Program Support Assistant, Early ChildhoodCharlie Battle ................ Educational Aide, AutomotiveTonya Beck Testing Specialist, Assessment ServicesSamuel Benjamin .............Math TutorAndreshea Caldwell .......... Instructor, Lab Manager NursingTerese Carter ................CustodianTaylor Chambers ............. CustodianKaren Citizen-Wilcox .......... Adjunct Instructor, Business ManagementAva Connor ..................Educational Aide, Science Tutoring CenterDarnell Crawford ............. CustodianKenroy (Ken) Crawford .......Instructor, ChemistryRachael Davis Adjunct Instructor, Veterinary TechnologyAdam Davis ..................Adjunct Instructor, BiologyAshley De Marr ...............Writing TutorTheneshia Dixon ..............Adjunct Instructor, World ReligionsKimberly Edwards ............Specialist Student Aairs (ANF)Jacqueline Emmons ..........Adjunct Instructor- InteriorsMichael Ensing ...............Maintenance TechnicianCharity Esparza ..............Adjunct Clinical Instructor, Associate Degree NursingBriana Fritz Lab Assistant, Diagnostic Medical SonographyJessie Gaston ................Adjunct Instructor, Certiﬁed Medical AssistantLaWanka Gibson .............Campus Police Ocer (PT)Kristina Glover ...............Adjunct Clinical Instructor, Associate Degree NursingAndrew Gurbaxani ............Instructor, Cyber SecurityMihiri Hewa Bosthanthirige ....Adjunct Instructor, PhysicsLaDonna Hollis ...............CE Instructor, EnglishLotoya Hu ..................Adjunct Instructor, Certiﬁed Nursing AssistantDan Huggins .................Campus Police Ocer (PT)Pamela Hunter ...............Instructor, Cosmetology/ BarberingJenier Ilama ................ Adjunct Instructor, Surgical TechnologyKelly Inglett .................. Educational Aide, Science Tutoring CenterLa Toyia Jackson-Terry Instructor, Nursing Clinical CoordinatorShannon Kelly ................ Adjunct Clinical Instructor, Associate Degree NursingElizabeth Kemph .............Adjunct Instructor, InteriorsChristina Kotoske .............Adjunct Instructor, Art AppreciationJayne Kulp ..................Adjunct Instructor, Cardiovascular Technology (Cardiac Cath Lab) Jack Latham .................Adjunct Instructor, Business ManagementRenato Lee ..................CE Instructor, EnglishTimothy Lindsey ............. Adjunct Instructor, Game DevelopmentRayshon Louden .............Student RecruiterYun Lu ...................... Purchasing TechnicianKassey Macias ............... Enrollment AdvisorKirsten Maddox .............. Nursing Student TutorPatrick Mahaey .............Dean of ECMDVondguraus McClee ..........Adjunct Instructor, BiologyDeontae McCorvey ........... Maintenance TechnicianAmanda Mclean Adjunct Instructor, Information SecurityBethel Mensah ............... Maintenance TechnicianChristopher Mercado ......... CustodianShawn Merchant ............. Adjunct Instruction, MechatronicsCongcong Mitchell ........... Adjunct Instructor, Music AppreciationJakiya Mixon ................. Adjunct Intructor, InteriorsJasmyn Murphy .............. CustodianElaine Murzello ...............Testing SpecialistBienvenu Ngoufack Saadem ...Science TutorIsidora Ninkovic ..............Lab AssistantVirenkumar Patel .............Adjunct Instructor, NetworkingDiane Quern ................. Adjunct Instructor, ChemistryNicholas Ringﬁeld Adjunct Instructor, Cardiovascular TechnologyTrinell Robertson ............. Adjunct Instructor, Certiﬁed Medical AssistantTracy Rose ...................Adjunct Clincial Instructor, Associate Degree NursingKarl Ryker ...................Adjunct Instructor, AccountingYacub Saaﬁr ................. CE Instructor, EnglishSeth Sanchez Lab Assistant, Diagnostic Medical SonographyMikal Simpson ............... CustodianKamyla Smith ................Lab Technician, Life ScienceAbagale Spears .............. CustodianJeremy Statum ............... Coordinator, Digital MediaCandance Taal ...............CE Instructor, EnglishAmy Tate Testing Specialist, Assessment ServicesBridgit Taylor ................ Program Support Assistant, InteriorsLegaci Walls ................. Program Support Assistant, HorticultureAmy Weaver ................. Program Director, Dental AssistingJahDeja White ...............Coordinator, Open Lab (Science)Laurie Williams ............... Customer Service Assistant, Call CenterJamie Williams ...............Adjunct Instructor, Surgical TechnolgoyTerrence Wilson ..............Supervisor OperationsMarisa Wong-Sam ............ Instructor, Biology (Temp)Joanna Yoo ..................Lab Technican, Life SciencesNEW HIRES

The Edge - Fall 2023 Edition

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