Albany Technical College will open the Center for Excellence in Electronics and Information Technology fall quarter. The 51,391-square-foot facility cost approximately $6.5 million to construct. The Center (also known as Building H) will house computer information systems, printing/graphics, drafting and electronics programs. Watch for an official announcement of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, tentatively set for November 19th.

Athens Technical College has launched its newest academic program, Dental Assisting. This offering comes on the heels of the already successful Dental Hygiene program in the Division of Allied Health and Nursing. Dental Assisting, a diploma program, began summer quarter.

Emily DeRocco, U.S. Assistant Secretary for the Employment and Training Administration, visited Atlanta Technical College on June 19th to discuss the High-Growth Job Training Initiative of the U.S. Department of Labor. The initiative is a strategic effort to improve the publicly funded workforce system's responsiveness to labor market needs. Designed to build collaborations among employers, industry leaders, business associations, and community and technical college systems, the initiative will demonstrate how a demand-driven workforce system can more efficiently serve business while also effectively helping workers find good jobs at good wages.

While on campus, DeRocco toured allied health classrooms and labs and discussed the national need for highly skilled healthcare professionals. She also observed high school and college students who were at Atlanta Tech for the national Health Occupations Students of America conference.

Chattahoochee Technical College is proud to be one of the schools that house the American Culinary Federation Apprenticeship program, offering students college credits for the training they receive during their apprenticeship.

Chattahoochee currently has students interning at a country club in Long Island, NY, Disney-Orlando, and several fine hotels. The teaching kitchens at the college have state-of-the-art equipment, live teleconferencing and Internet feed. Students are given the opportunity to work with equipment and materials they will work with in the industry. The curriculum takes students from principles of cooking and professionalism in culinary arts through front-of-the-house service and international cuisine.

Dr. Harlon Crimm, president of Chattahoochee Tech, said, “Our recent accreditation by the American Culinary Federation ‘without any recommendations’ makes ours only the second culinary program in the nation to receive such distinction. This is strongly indicative of the development of a world class culinary program at the college. Our culinary faculty are committed to making this program second to none in the nation.”

Gwinnett Technical College announces two new online offerings, both inspired by customer demand. One addresses the critical need for emergency management personnel in both the public and private sectors. Graduates will come away from the program with the skills to become an emergency management director for government agencies, private companies, educational organizations and healthcare institutions. Another new online certificate program responds to the heightened interest in careers in landscape design. Participants learn the principles of landscape design as well as how to build a career in this field. In addition to the convenience of online learning, the course offers significant hands-on work and substantial feedback from the instructor. It also prepares students for the certification exam offered by the Association of Professional Landscape Designers.

The Community Activities and Projects Council (CAP Council) at Heart of Georgia Technical College held a “Fans for the Elderly” drive. Faculty, staff and students at HGTC contributed fans to be distributed to the elderly in the college’s five-county service area (Bleckley, Dodge, Laurens, Telfair, and Wheeler). The Department of Family and Children Services in each county partnered with Heart of Georgia Tech to disperse the fans to the needy. The purpose of the CAP Council is to undertake, monitor, and facilitate the involvement of projects and activities within the Heart of Georgia Technical College service area by interacting, reaching out, and partnering with organizations, business and industry, students, and local communities. The CAP Council is comprised of volunteer employees and students.

“Around the World in 30 Days” was the theme for the Heart of Georgia Technical College Continuing Education Department’s Kids’ Discovery Camp, which was held the month of June. The camp, for ages 6 to 11, focused on a different country each week. Daily activities included career education, cultural classes, computer technology, arts and crafts, drama, literature, and field trips.

Ogeechee Technical College in Statesboro will open its new state-of-the-art Agricultural Classroom Building in the Fall of 2003. The 55,000 sq. ft. facility will house six new programs: Agri-Business, Wildlife and Plantation Management, Geographic Information Systems, Veterinary Technology, Culinary Arts, and Hotel/Restaurant/Tourism Management. Additionally, the building will be the home for future programs in Automotive Technology and Diesel Mechanics and existing programs in Welding, Drafting and Cosmetology.

Sandersville Technical College has partnered with the public school system in Jefferson County to build a new electronic sign, which highlights the new Sandersville Tech campus adjacent to the high school. According to Sandersville Tech president Jack Sterrett, “The campus is the education center of the county.” Of course, dual-enrolled high-school technical-college students are an important focus for the endeavor; other students from the community are pleased with the convenience of the new technical college campus as well.