July 24, 2008
Harris Named Teacher of the Year

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July 22, 2008
Campus Press Conference Celebrates Partnership with Colgate-Palmolive



Mayor Shirley Franklin(center) gathers with (from left to right) Deborah Lum, Executive Director of the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency; Jovan Dias, local entrepreneur; Brian Brooks, Kroger; Alvetta Thomas, president of the Atlanta Technical College; Wanda Young, Colgate-Palmolive; Tangie, radio personality V103, and students from the Mayor’s Youth Program to receive a check from Wanda Young, on behalf of Colgate-Palmolive and Kroger. The funding will support the Colgate EMPOWER entrepreneurial summer workshop that will showcase the benefits and rewards of entrepreneurialism to Atlanta students selected from the Mayor’s Youth Program.

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July 2, 2008
Tom Joyner Gives Commencement Address



Tom Joyner gave a rousing speech before the capacity crowd gathered at the Atlanta Civic Center.



Radio Star Tom Joyner is pictured with President Alvetta Peterman Thomas prior to Commencement.

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June 20, 2008
Teacher of the Year Finalists Announced
Atlanta Tech’s Teacher of the Year finalists have been announced. They are: Barbara Boyd, Academic & Learning Support Services Division; Byron Hicks, Industrial & Transportation Technologies; Charlena Crowder, Health & Public Safety Technologies; and Grant Harris, Business and Public Service Technologies.

Also known as the Rick Perkins Award, this honor recognizes exemplary instructional excellence. The Teacher of the Year will be named at a campus ceremony on July 22.

                    

Barbara Boyd          Byron Hicks           Charlena Crowder       Grant Harris                                 

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June 26, 2008
Commencement Scheduled for This Saturday

Approximately 500 students will graduate this Saturday, June 28, during the college's annual Commencement. The ceremony will be held at 11am at the Atlanta Civic Center.

Students from more than 100 programs of study will participate in the graduation exercises. These students have completed the requirements for associate degrees, diplomas, or technical certificates of credit.

Tom Joyner, host of the nationally-syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, will give the Commencement Address. Joyner's show is heard by eight-million listeners in more than 115 markets and is heard locally on KISS 104.1.

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June 4, 2008
Atlanta Tech Basks in Number-One Status

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution featured the college today in a story on the front page of the Metro section. Read more here.

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May 23, 2008
Student of the Year Shaquetta Smith is congratulated by Ron Jackson

Student of the Year Shaquetta Smith is congratulated by Ron Jackson, commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia, for a job well done in representing Atlanta Tech in the statewide student of the year competition held this week.

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May 23, 2008
Atlanta Tech Grad Wins $35,000 Business Grant

Jamarr Rawlinson, a 2005 barbering graduate, won a $35,000 business grant from Miller Brewing Company, along with his business partner Monica G. Coleman, for their Creative Connections Mobile Barbershop.

May 16, 2008
Atlanta Tech Students Win Big in State & National Competitions

Read here about the SkillsUSA State Competition

Read here about the DEX Competition

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May 16, 2008
One-Hundred Students Inducted Into National Technical Honor Society

In a campus ceremony held earlier this week, 100 Atlanta Tech students were inducted into the prestigious National Technical Honor Society (NTHS).

Membership in the NTHS recognizes academic achievement and overall educational excellence.

In addition, Students Michelle Sloan and Deyasha Johnson have been elected to serve as NTHS state officers.

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May 16, 2008
Business & Industry Breakfast Slated for Next Month

The Division of Economic Development will present a Business & Industry Breakfast on Thursday, June 5 at 7:30am in the Dennard Conference Center.

The theme of the event is: Economic Development & Atlanta Tech--We Can Help You Grow.

Lisa M. Borders, president of the Atlanta City Council, will be the guest speaker.

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May 16, 2008
International Day @ Atlanta Tech

The college's annual International Day will be held on Thursday, May 22 from 10am to 1:30pm in the auditorium. This lively event will feature musical performances and colorful exhibits. Free samples of international and American cuisine will be available.

Highlights will include songs from Africa, a flamenco dance, Japanese dances, and Russian folk songs.

International Day is free and open to the public.

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May 8, 2008
Atlanta Tech Teams Up With Dick's Sporting Goods

Pictured at the Training Agreement Signing Ceremony (from left to right): President Alvetta Peterman Thomas; Lee Belitsky, senior vice president of distribution and transportation at Dick's Sporting Goods; and Jackie Rohosky, assistant commissioner for economic development programs/Technical College System of Georgia. Read here for more information.

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April 16, 2008
Faculty Member Named Governor's Teaching Fellow

Karen Carter, head of the paralegal studies program, has been chosen to participate in the Governor's Teaching Fellows Program. The program was established in 1995 by Governor Zell Miller to provide Georgia's higher education faculty with expanded opportunities for developing important teaching skills.

Carter will participate in the Academic Year Symposia Program. This program allows participants to attend three-day symposia held six times over the academic year while also engaging in instructional improvement projects on their home campuses.

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April 15, 2008
Atlanta Tech Featured on Atlanta & Company

The college was featured on today's broadcast of Atlanta & Company. The show aired on 11Alive (WXIA). The segment about Atlanta Technical College can be viewed at http://www.atlantaandcompany.com

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April 8, 2008
Student of the Year Named

Shaquetta Smith, a visual communications student and third generation Atlanta Tech student, has been named Student of the Year. She will compete next month in the statewide GOAL contest. The top students from each of Georgia's technical colleges will vie for the title of Georgia's Best Technical College Student. The winner will receive a new Chevrolet and spend the next year serving as the state's ambassador for technical and adult education. Chevrolet is a statewide-sponsor or the GOAL competition.

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April 7, 2008
Seventh Annual Bridge Builder Awards

The Atlanta Technical College Foundation presents the Seventh Annual Bridge Builder Awards on May 21. Tickets and sponsorships are still available. Show your support for Atlanta Technical College: named America's Best Community College by Washington Monthly. For more information, please call 404.225.4617.

Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, will be honored, and posthumous awards will go to Dr. Brenda Watts Jones, former president of Atlanta Technical College, and George Lottier, former president of the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council.

The Seventh Annual Bridge Builder Awards, the college’s major fundraising event, will be held from 6pm to 8:30pm at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park.



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March 17, 2008
Atlanta Tech Receives Grant from The Halle Foundation

Atlanta Technical College has received a $25,000 grant to help fund the college's Halle International Exchange Program with its sister college in Detmold, Germany.

The Halle International Exchange Program is the only ongoing international exchange program at a technical college in the Southeast. Atlanta Tech named the program in honor of the late Claus M. Halle, a retired business executive and early supporter of the program.

The mission of The Halle Foundation is to promote understanding, knowledge, and friendship between the people of Germany, as seen in its European context, and those of the United States.



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February 29, 2008
Tom Joyner to Speak at Commencement

Tom Joyner, host of the nationally-syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, will give the Commencement Address during graduation exercises on June 28. Graduation will be held at 11am at the Atlanta Civic Center and is open to graduates and their guests.

Joyner's show is heard by eight-million listeners in more than 115 markets.

Click here to read his Bio



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February 29, 2008
Atlanta Tech & Atlanta Metropolitan College Host Health Fair

Atlanta Tech and Atlanta Metropolitan College held a Health Fair yesterday in the campus auditorium. Hundreds of visitors took advantage of free screenings, live demonstrations, seminars, and tasty food samples. The Health Fair was presented in honor of Black History Month.



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February 29, 2008
Fun & Informative Non-Credit Classes For Those 55+


                          

A press conference was held this morning to announce a collaboration with the Fulton County Office of Aging. Josephine Reed-Taylor, interim president of Atlanta Tech, is pictured with Wayne Casey of the Fulton County Office of Aging. A highlight of the event was a ballroom dancing demonstration.

Atlanta Technical College's Continuing Education Department has partnered with the Fulton County Office of Aging to offer a multitude of interesting and educational classes at senior centers throughout the county. These classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

FEATURED COURSES

Tai Chi for Health and Relaxation

Want to feel more energetic, balanced, and flexible than you ever have before? Tai Chi provides all the benefits of a light workout plus centuries-old, proven techniques for relaxation. Focus will be on breathing, step form, and emperor's walk. A signed waiver is required at the first class session.
8 hrs.
Cost: $45

Wine Appreciation

Learn how to order wine, taste it properly and how to choose the single variety that will best complement your meal.
6 hrs.
Cost: $40

Tax Reduction for Retirees

Tax reduction can be the most effective method to increase your real income. Learn from the Certified Financial Planners what many well-advised retirees do to prevent Uncle Sam and the IRS from sharing so much of their profits. This class will show you how to keep more of your retirement savings, income, and wealth.
4 hrs.
Cost: $25

Introduction to Computers for Senior Citizens

This course is designed for those who are at least 50 years old and would like to take the first step on the road to understanding those amazing machines called computers.
24 hrs.
Cost: $60

Writing/Revising your Will & Trust

Having a will is important and keeping your will current is even more important. This class will teach you the basics for creating a will and/or trust as well as making sure your will is current with changes in your life. It is essential to know the facts about having a will and setting up trust funds for your loved ones to secure the legacy you leave behind.
12 hrs.
Cost: $40

Email Basics I & II

You’ve got mail! Other than cell phones, one of the most popular ways to contact anyone is through email. Learn the basics of setting up an email account and using the new way of sending a letter other than snail mail! After this class you will be emailing your children, grandchildren and friends. You will also learn the conveniences of having an email account for receiving newsletters from various interest groups, restaurants and stores. Once you start emailing I guarantee you will become addicted!
24 hrs.
Cost: $45

Learn How to Navigate the Internet Efficiently

Shop, book a flight, make reservations, and just surf the net is what you will be an expert at after taking this class. Using the phone book will become a thing of the past after learning how to effectively navigate the internet. Anything you want is at your fingertips. This class is excellent if you aren’t computer savvy but would like to know how to use the Internet. You will learn how to use various search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and MSN as well as how to go to various websites for specific companies and brands.
24 hrs.
Cost: $60

How to Use a Digital Camera

Say CHEESE! If you aren’t familiar with a digital camera this is the class for you. Learn how to take a picture, save a picture, print a picture and edit a picture using a digital camera and your computer. After this class you will not need to print pictures the old fashion way. It’s easier than it may seem. Please bring your own digital camera to class.
20 hrs.
Cost: $75

Ballroom Dancing

This delightful hobby is life-long-lasting for couples to share. There is no better way to include enjoyment, romance, and excitement to your life than dancing. This course will allow you to understand steps quickly and easily. You will also recognize that when you learn a few basic steps, you will be able to use them to dance a variety of rhythms. The dances that will be covered in this ballroom course will be Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Rumba, and Swing. Your dancing will improve each evening - even if you've never danced before and perhaps thought you couldn't. Bring a partner and dance!
30 hrs.
Cost: $60

Learn about Personal Security

In 2-hours gain information that will assist in safe guarding yourself, your family possessions, home and identity. Steps will be provided to learn how to start a Neighborhood Watch Program.
2 hrs.
Cost: $30

The Analysis and Valuation of Stocks

Discover valuable techniques that show you step-by-step how to research and value stocks.
8 hrs.
Cost: $80

Classes will be held at the following locations:

Dorothey C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex

6500 Vernon Woods Drive
Sandy Springs, Georgia 30328
Phone 404.705.4900

H.J. C. Bowden Senior Multipurpose Facility

2885 Church Street
East Point, Georgia
Phone 404.762.4821

Harriett G. Darnell Senior Multipurpose Facility

677 Fairburn Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30331
Phone 404.699.8580

Helene S. Mills Senior Multipurpose Facility

515 John Wesley Dobbs
Atlanta, Georgia 30312
Phone 404.523.3553

For registration information, please call 404.225.4486/7



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February 29, 2008
DEX Brings Home the Gold, the Silver, the Bronze, & More

Of the twenty-two Atlanta Tech students who competed at the Georgia Delta Epsilon Chi (DEX) Career Development Conference/Competition, eighteen placed. Atlanta Tech students won first place in eight categories. In other news, Stephanie Sherrer, a paralegal student, was elected vice president of Georgia DEX, and Grant Harris, academic affairs, was named Delta Epsilon Chi Advisor of the Year.



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February 29, 2008
SkillsUSA Competition Held on Campus

High school students from throughout the area were on campus recently to participate in the SkillsUSA competitions. SkillsUSA is a national organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations. SkillsUSA was formerly known as VICA (the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America).



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February 29, 2008
Governor Recognizes Instructors

Instructors in the Division of Academic & Learning Support recently earned a Governor's Commendation for Customer Service Excellence. Each month, a few individuals and teams are carefully selected from among all state employees to receive this special recognition from the governor.



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February 29, 2008
Faculty & Staff Members of the Quarter Announced


                                     

The Faculty and Staff Members of Winter Quarter have been named. Gregory Calloway (at left), an accounting instructor, won the title of Faculty Member of the Quarter. Arthur Grier, pictured with Interim President Josephine Reed-Taylor, received the Staff Member of the Quarter award. Grier is a member of the academic leadership team.



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February 29, 2008
More than 225 Students Earn Scholarships & Grants Totaling $72,436

Since October more than 225 students have received scholarships or grants from Atlanta Tech totaling $72,436.

Of that total, nearly $30,000 was awarded in scholarships to twenty-five students, and more than 200 students were served by the Emergency Hardship Loan Program.



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February 29, 2008
Faculty Members Travel to Germany

Five faculty members will depart for Detmold, Germany today to attend Projectweek 2008, an international conference sponsored by Felix Fechenbach Berufskolleg, Atlanta Tech's sister college in Germany. Those attending from Atlanta Tech are: David Kirsch, computer science; Hector Celis, carpentry; Sammie Holloway, early childhood care and development; Joseph Perrymon, culinary arts,; and Gregory Calloway, accounting.

The conference will focus on global partnerships within the world of technical education. In addition to the Atlanta Tech contingent, attendees will include educators and dignitaries from Finland, Chile, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and Japan.



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February 6, 2008
Dr. Alvetta Thomas is New President of Atlanta Technical College

Atlanta – the state board that oversees the Technical College System of Georgia has approved TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson’s choice of Dr. Alvetta Thomas as the new president of Atlanta Technical College.

Thomas will assume the president’s job on March 1.

“Alvetta Thomas will be an outstanding leader for Atlanta Tech,” said Jackson. “She’s a devoted educator with a strong commitment to the college and a desire to provide the very best in technical education for her students. She’s a great choice for a great college.”

The previous president of Atlanta Tech, Dr. Brenda Watts Jones, passed away last summer.

Thomas is currently the college’s vice president for academic affairs. In that position, which she has held since 1997, she has managed the college’s certificate, diploma and associate degree programs and supervised the academic deans, faculty and staff.

She earned her doctorate in adult education from the University of Georgia in 2004. She also has a master’s in political science from Clark Atlanta University and a bachelor’s in political science from Alabama State University.

Atlanta Technical College served more than 3300 students in 2007 in a variety of technical education programs. Almost 98% of the 998 graduates it produced last year are either currently employed or continuing their college education.

The Technical College System of Georgia consists of 33 colleges that last year enrolled 140,000 students in more than 600 technical education programs. Thousands more took advantage of the system’s online, continuing education and adult education programs. The TCSG also manages Quick Start, a workforce development program that provides free customized training to new, expanding and existing businesses.



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February 5, 2008
Free Tax Filing Offered at Atlanta Tech

If you are a senior citizen or a low- or middle-income taxpayer, you can take advantage of free tax help and filing at Atlanta Technical College.

This service will be offered on Tuesdays from February 12 to April 8 and on April 14 in Conference Room 1129. E-filing of forms 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ will be done on site.

This service is a program of the AARP Foundation and is available from the IRS and the Department of Continuing Education at Atlanta Tech.

For more information, please call 404.225.4486/7.

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February 5, 2008
Health Fair Presented by Atlanta Tech & Atlanta Metropolitan College

In honor of Black History Month, a Health Fair will be held on Thursday, February 28 from 10am to 3pm in the Atlanta Tech Auditorium.

Many free screenings will be available including:
Diabetes/Cholesterol Check
HIV Testing
Hearing Testing
Vision Screening
Dental Exams
The event will feature live demonstrations of martial arts, dance, and weight training. In addition, a Health Seminar Series will be held from 9am to 1pm.

For more information, please call Elaine Bennett at 404.225.4489/90.



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January 30, 2008
Students Earn Scholarships From W.W. Grainger, Inc

Four Atlanta Tech students are the recipients of $1,000 scholarships from W.W. Grainger, Inc. Representatives from Grainger recently presented scholarship checks to the students.

January 11, 2008
Teacher of the Year Profiled in Rolling Out

Karen Wheel Carter, Atlanta Tech's teacher of the year, is featured in the current issue of Rolling Out. In the article Carter describes the college's distinctive environment.

"We make a commitment that when we invite somebody into our family, we do what it takes to keep them healthy, safe, and learning," she says. "I think that is what makes us unique amongst technical colleges throughout Georgia."

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January 11, 2008
The Neal Boortz Show Presents Gifts to Student & Her Family

Instead of doing their usual Christmas gift exchange, the staff members of the Neal Boortz radio show chose to make the holidays bright for an Atlanta Tech student and her family. On December 18 the staff surprised Tequila Jones and her family with dozens of gifts and the keys to a minivan. Jones, a single mother of three small children, is a marketing student.
The nationally-syndicated Neal Boortz Show is headquartered at WSB-Radio in Atlanta.

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December 10, 2007
Atlanta Tech Holds Groundbreaking for Allied Health Building

A groundbreaking was held last week for the $14.2 million Allied Health Building. Pictured from left to right are: Larry Alford, student of the year; Karen Carter, teacher of the year; Sen. Vincent Fort; Morris Jones, husband of the late Dr. Brenda Watts Jones; Dr. Josephine Reed-Taylor, interim president; Ron Jackson, commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia; Dr. Alvetta Peterman Thomas, vice president of academic affairs; Candace Martin, niece of Dr. Brenda Watts Jones; Harold Mitchell, Sr., chair of ATC Foundation; Bill Pinto, chair of ATC Local Board of Directors; and Carl Swearingen, board chair, Technical College System of Georgia.

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November 29, 2007
Computer Science Students Earn Scholarships

Click here for more information

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November 27, 2007
Thanksgiving Food Drive Benefits Students

Nearly 100 Atlanta Tech students received grocery gift cards and/or bags of food during the annual campus Thanksgiving Food Drive held recently.

Stephanie Sherrer, a student leader and president of Phi Beta Lambda, is pictured with a bag of groceries.

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November 27, 2007
Staff & Faculty Members of the Quarter Named

Memorial Pritchett (at right) receives the Staff Member of the Quarter Award from Josephine Reed-Taylor, interim president of Atlanta Tech. Pritchett works in the business office.

November 16, 2007
Groundbreaking on December 5 for the New Allied Health Building

Atlanta Technical College will hold a Groundbreaking on December 5 for its new Allied Health Building, a $14.2 million facility that will enable the college to expand program offerings and help ease the critical shortage of skilled healthcare professionals in Metro Atlanta.

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November 16, 2007
Six Questions for Atlanta Tech's Teacher of the Year

Karen Wheel Carter, chair of the Paralegal Studies Program, has been named Teacher of the Year at Atlanta Technical College. We congratulate her on capturing the college’s highest teaching award.

Who is your greatest inspiration?
I am the sum total of my parents and their parents, each of whom inspired me to pursue my dreams.

What is one of your favorite quotes?
While I do not know the origins of this quote, we all learned it at the knee of our maternal great grandfather, "Once a task is first begun, never leave it till it’s done. Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all.”

What hobbies and activities do you enjoy outside of work?
Cooking, reading mystery novels, travel.

What does it mean to you to be named ATC's Teacher of the Year?
It is an honor to be able to be the voice and representative of the efforts of my peers. This is an honor and a privilege to talk about what makes our work great and why we return each day—it’s not the paycheck, it’s the reward and satisfaction of seeing others succeed.

Why have you chosen to teach and lead a program at Atlanta Tech?
It allows me to combine two of my greatest passions, my love for the law and higher education. Daily I see lives transformed as my students prepare to enter the world of work--some for the first time and others entering a new career. Having worked in traditional educational systems, I have seen the time it takes for students to transition from the learning environment to the workforce.

What is your proudest accomplishment at ATC?
I am most proud of how my students have risen to the occasion each time I have called on them to participate in a special program, interview for an internship or permanent job, or to serve as a student ambassador. We’ve had two national competitive winners, four internships with the Georgia General Assembly, two students enrolled in traditional baccalaureate programs, one Student of the Year winner and state finalist...Well, I could go on and on and on (smile).

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November 14, 2007
Atlanta Tech Turns 40

The college recently celebrated its fortieth anniversary with several student festivities. Culinary arts students baked a gigantic birthday cake that was enjoyed by several hundred students, faculty, and staff.

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November 14, 2007
$3.2 Million Grant Funds Career Academy

At a press conference held yesterday, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle presented checks to fund five new career academies and one existing career academy. Thanks to a $3.2 million grant from Cagle, Atlanta Tech will partner with the Fulton County School System to create seamless educational opportunities at the future Hapeville Charter Career Academy.

Career academies partner local school systems with the state¹s technical colleges and local businesses, enabling the development of high school and college-level programs that train students for quality, in-demand jobs. Students find that the academie's challenging, hands-on programs provide greater relevancy and value which not only lead to higher graduation rates, but also employment. The specified training for students is attractive to area businesses and communities prosper from the highly-trained and skilled local workforce. Businesses have found that partnering with the Career Academies provide a uniquely relevant and prepared workforce.

The Hapeville Charter Career Academy will be a comprehensive high school where students receive academic and career/technical education in a small school environment, while earning college credits and certificates from Atlanta Tech. Ninth grade students will begin in fall 2008 in programs such as avionics and health occupations.

The Technical College System of Georgia evaluated the career academy proposals then decided upon the grants from the $16 million funded by the legislature. A total of nineteen school systems applied, a point not missed by Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Ron Jackson when he noted that the high demand spoke to the great potential and high importance of the career academy initiative.

"Each school system saw the enormous benefit of creating a career academy in their community, a fact made even more apparent by how hard each worked to gain the funding," said Jackson.

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October 29, 2007
Atlanta Tech Makes Strides for Breast Cancer Cure

A spirited group of faculty, staff, and students participated in the American Cancer Society's Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk this past weekend. The Atlanta Tech group, known as Brenda's Bridge Builders, walked in honor of President Brenda Watts Jones. She led the college for eleven years before losing her battle with breast cancer earlier this year.

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October 19, 2007
Thomas Named One of 25 Most Influential Women

Dr. Alvetta Peterman Thomas, vice president of academic affairs, was named one of the 25 Most Influential Women of Atlanta in a ceremony held last night by Rolling Out Urban Lifestyle Weekly.

This honor recognizes her dynamic leadership and innovative workforce development initiatives.

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October 16, 2007
Atlanta Tech Foundation Announces Scholarship & Grant Winners

The Atlanta Technical College Foundation, a 501 (C) (3) organization, has awarded scholarships/grants for the FY beginning 2007-2008.

One (1) student received a $600 scholarship from The Cornelia “NeNe” Williams Business, Media & Information Technology Student Scholarship Fund;

Eight (8) students received $1,000 scholarships each from the Atlanta Technical College Academic Scholarship Fund (ATC);

Two (2)students received $500 scholarships each from the Dr. Hilliard A. Bowen Business Office Technology And Early Childhood Care Programs Student Scholarship Fund;

and Two (2) students received $1,000 each from The Beauty Master and Jim Maddox Cosmetology Student Scholarship.

The recipients of the above mentioned scholarships/grants are as follows:

October 15, 2007
Commissioner Names Interim President for Atlanta Technical College

Ron Jackson, the commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia, has named Dr. Josephine Reed-Taylor as the interim president of Atlanta Technical College.

Reed-Taylor is currently the system's assistant commissioner for adult literacy. She will take leave from that position and guide Atlanta Tech until a successor is chosen to replace Brenda Watts Jones, who passed away in August.

"Dr. Reed-Taylor is a highly capable administrator who'll be a great leader for Atlanta Tech during this interim period," said Jackson. "She will serve the college and its students well by continuing the tradition of education excellence that was the hallmark of the presidency of our late friend and colleague, Brenda Watts Jones."

Later this week, Jackson will name a presidential search committee made up of business and community leaders from the Atlanta area. The committee¹s job will be to screen and interview the applicants for the president¹s job and then select their top three candidates. Each of the finalists will interview with Jackson at the system¹s Atlanta headquarters.

The new Atlanta Tech president at will be installed after the commissioner¹s selection is approved by the state board that oversees the Technical College System of Georgia.

The entire process is expected to take from four to six months.



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Thomas Named Acting President

Dr. Alvetta Peterman Thomas, longtime vice president of academic affairs at Atlanta Tech, has been named acting president of the college. A veteran educator with more than twenty years of experience in secondary and post secondary education, Thomas has led the college to an unprecedented level of academic excellence and instructional program expansion.

Prior to her arrival at Atlanta Tech in 1997, Thomas served as executive director at Skills for Tomorrow Charter High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota; instructional support services coordinator for the Technical College System of Georgia; education specialist at the US Department of Defense; a teacher and curriculum specialist in the Savannah Chatham County Schools; and an adjunct assistant professor at Alabama State University.

She has been honored by the National Science Foundation; US House of Representatives; and the DTAE/UGA Community and Technical College Leadership Initiative, of which she was a first-cohort graduate.

Thomas has shared her knowledge of best practices in post-secondary education in presentations at various conferences, including the COC-SACS Annual Meeting, the Annual Conference for the Association for Integrative Studies, and the Georgia Tech Prep Conference.

Thomas and her husband Anthony have two grown children and three grandchildren.



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September 3, 2007
Atlanta Technical College is AMERICA'S BEST COMMUNITY COLLEGE

As Atlanta Technical College celebrates its fortieth anniversary and mourns the recent death of its beloved president, there's a spectacular bit of news that all of Atlanta can be proud of: Atlanta Technical College has been named America¹s Best Community College by Washington Monthly.

Unlike the guidebooks that rank four-year colleges, the Washington Monthly findings were entirely based on measures with a research-proven link to student success. The rankings were based on two sources: the Community College Survey of Student Engagement and graduation rate statistics compiled by the US Department of Education.

To read more:

This link will show the complete rankings and explain the methodology behind them. The Washington Monthly article also makes a passionate and data-driven case for the effectiveness of community colleges compared to their better-known counterparts: four-year colleges and universities.

"Being ranked number one means that there's something uniquely different about the excellent quality of education that's offered at Atlanta Technical College," says Ron Jackson, commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia. "Outstanding faculty and staff, sophisticated yet affordable programs, and a relentless focus on student achievement means the college¹s graduates are destined for career success. Being ranked as number one is a testament to the vision and commitment of the college's late president, Brenda Watts Jones, whose legacy of excellence will continue for years to come. The entire Technical College System of Georgia takes immense pride in congratulating Atlanta Technical College on this well-deserved honor as the best two-year college in the nation."

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August 28, 2007
Atlanta Tech Named Top Community College in the US

Washington Monthly has just released its rankings of America's Best Community Colleges, and Atlanta Tech has been named the best in the country.

The rankings were based on two sources: the Community College Survey of Student Engagement and graduation rate statistics compiled by the US Department of Education. Unlike the typical guidebooks that rank four-year colleges, these findings were entirely based on measures with a research-proven link to student success.

August 14, 2007
Atlanta Tech Mourns Loss of President Brenda Watts Jones

July 13, 2007
Students Capture the Bronze at SkillsUSA Competition
Kenneth Baldwin (at left) and Marcus Wilson recently won national recognition for their graphic design skills. They captured the bronze medal in the web design category at the 2007 SkillsUSA competition. Baldwin and Wilson are studying visual communications at the college.

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July 12, 2007
Student Named Solo Warrior By Judge Mablean Ephriam
Larry Alford, Atlanta Tech’s student of the year, was honored recently with the Solo Warrior Award from the Judge Mablean Ephriam Foundation and the Tupac Shakur Foundation. This national honor salutes a single dad who exemplifies the best in positive fatherhood.

Alford, a culinary arts student, is the adoptive father of three-year-old Jonathan and his two-year-old sister Janiyah.

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June 20, 2007
Teacher of the Year Finalists
Atlanta Tech is proud to announce the finalists in the Teacher of the Year (Rick Perkins Award) competition at the college. The finalists are: Cookie Burkhalter, Health, Skilled Trades, and Technical Division; Karen Carter, Business, Media, Information Technology, and Human Services Division; and Nayera Salam, Academic and Learning Support Division.

                                     

Cookie Burkhalter                 Nayera Salam                           Karen Carter       Health, Skilled Trades &        Academic and Learning             Business, Media, Technical Division                 Support Division               Information Technology

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June 7, 2007
Commencement to be Held on June 9
More than 1,000 graduates will be recognized at Atlanta Technical College’s Commencement Exercises on Saturday, June 9 at the Atlanta Civic Center. The ceremony will begin at 11am.

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May 23, 2007
Foundation Board Member Honored
Ken Hudson, longtime member of the Atlanta Technical College Foundation, has been selected for induction into the African-American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame. He will be honored at a ceremony in New York City this summer.

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May 23, 2007
Students Named Hinman Scholars
Patricia C. Garcia-Estrada and Stacey D. Mizell, dental lab technology students, have been awarded scholarships from the Hinman Dental Society. The scholarships recognize academic excellence in the dental laboratory field. The awards were presented at a special luncheon held recently at the annual Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting in Atlanta. Student recipients of the scholarships are known as Hinman Scholars.

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May 22, 2007
Atlanta Tech Presents Business & Industry Breakfast
The Economic Development Division will present a Business & Industry Breakfast on Thursday, June 7 at 7:30am in the Dennard Conference Center.

Peggy V. McCormick, president of the Atlanta Development Authority, will be the guest speaker. For more information about the event, please call 404.225.4481.

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May 18 , 2007
Alford to Compete in Statewide Competition
Larry Alford, Atlanta Tech's Student of the Year, will compete next week in the statewide GOAL contest. The top students from each of Georgia's technical colleges will vie for the title of Georgia's Best Technical College Student. The winner will receive a new Chevrolet and spend the next year serving as the state's ambassador for technical and adult education.

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March 22, 2007
President Named Pacesetter of the Year
President Brenda Watts Jones was just named Pacesetter of the Year by the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations. The national award recognizes the community college CEO who has done the most to support and lead campus marketing initiatives.

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