Savannah Technical College is offering personal, business and professional opportunities for those at home during social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these opportunities are free.

Starting April 29, there will be a series of free online, hour-long workshops at 12:30 PM on Wednesdays. Workshops will be led by STC staff and partnering organizations. Pre-registration is required. Workshops will continue through June:

• Stress Management (4/29)
• Time Management (5/6)
• Eat Better, Live Healthy, Learn More (5/13)
• Credit Basics with Consumer Credit Counseling (5/20)
• and more.

For a complete list of STC’s resources including 100% online certifications, credentials, skills and more, visit: www.savannahtech.edu/learn-now

There are also free on-demand, online workshops for professional development and online training available through the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). 

• Attention Management
• Business Etiquette
• Customer Service
• Emotional Intelligence
• Goal Setting and Getting Things Done
• Job Search Skills
• Telework and Telecommuting
• Ten Soft Skills You Need
• Time Management
• Workplace Diversity

STC’s Professional Continuing Education Department provides short-term classes in both traditional and online classroom settings. Courses cover a variety of skills and workforce development options that match local employer’s needs. For more details about other classes visit: www.savannahtech.edu.

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#2028 | April 23, 2020
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

Savannah Technical College is offering short-term career training starting April 27. The new five-week flex term allows students a faster option for earning certification.

“These online offerings allow people, many of whom may be newly-unemployed, to get started right away on short term training options that can be completed by the end of summer,” said STC President Dr. Kathy S. Love.

The College is waiving its application fee through April 30.

There are four technical certificates of credit (TCC) available starting April 27 that may be completed online by July 31:

• Criminal Justice Fundamentals
• Criminal Justice Specialist
• Marketing Specialist
• Microsoft Network Administrator

The College also offers TCCs that may be taken online in the summer semester, which starts June 1 that may also be completed by July 31:

• Early Childhood Exceptionalities
• Early Childhood Program Administration
• Entrepreneurship
• Fire Officer 1
• Logistics Technician
• Restaurant Manager
• Small Business Marketing Manager
• Shampoo Technician
• Tax Preparation Specialist

Summer semester courses will be offered online beginning June 1. 

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#2027 | April 21, 2020
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

HINESVILLE, Ga. – Savannah Technical College donated 15,000 thermometer covers (60 boxes) to Liberty Regional Medical Center recently.

#2026 | April 13, 2020
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College Business Management instructor Rushe Hudzinski has been selected as STC’s 2020 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year. The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction honors outstanding faculty members at each of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) institutions. She will represent Savannah Technical College in the statewide competition.

“Ms. Hudzinski’s professional excellence and service in the classroom, as well as the local community, combined with her passion for helping students achieve their dreams and goals for college, career and life make her the perfect ambassador for technical education across the state,” said STC President Dr. Kathy Love.

Hudzinski has been an instructor at Savannah Technical College since 2010 when she began working as an adjunct instructor. She became a full-time instructor in 2016. Leading up to this transition, Hudzinski was Chief Human Resources Consultant for New South Financial Group. Before coming to New South she served as the Director of Human Resources for Effingham County Board of Commissioners and oversaw personnel matters concerning the County Staff, Elected Officials and Constitutional Officers.

Prior, Hudzinski was the Training and Development, Staffing/Faculty Coordinators at the Savannah College of Art and Design. She served as a District Recruiting Specialist for Eddie Bauer, South East Region and held positions in several management capacities in the apparel, home and outlet divisions. Her early positions in management have retail and hospitality influence to include Talbots, Paradise Island Resort and Casino, the Hilton Corporation, and Walt Disney World.

At Savannah Technical College, she serves as a SkillsUSA advisor for the Entrepreneurship state competition team and is vice-president for the STC Faculty Senate. 

She serves as a board member for Heads-Up Guidance Services (HUGS). She is also a member of the following organizations: Lions Club of Savannah, Savannah Area Employer Committee, Association of Georgia Contractors, and Society of Human Resources Management.

She is a graduate of Elmira College where she earned a bachelor’s of science degree in International Business and Marketing. She completed her MBA at Syracuse University and participated in the international graduate programs in England and Italy. She currently holds the Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) and is a graduate of Leadership Southeast Georgia.

HR on Campus and CUPA-HR have recognized Hudzinski’s development of training programs in customer service and human resources office staff organization regionally and nationally. Two of Hudzinski’s community projects for Human Resources, Preserving Human Capital – An Active Shooter Response and the Community HR Collaboration Project, have won Best in Georgia and been a two-time recipient of the SHRM National Pinnacle Award. Her articles on human resource management trends and strategies are featured twice per year in Workplace Health magazine. Early in her career she received the Eddie Bauer Stine Award for her work in employee training, talent acquisition, and district revenue performance.

The Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year award has been an ongoing statewide event since 1991 and is designed to recognize technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields.  Formerly known as the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence, the Rick Perkins Award was renamed in memory and honor of Thomas “Rick” Perkins, an instructor at West Central Technical College, now West Georgia Technical College, who received the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence prior to his untimely death. TCSG provides oversight for the Rick Perkins Award program through the system office’s programming staff, the presidents’ Academic Improvement committee and the state planning committee.

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#2025 | February 17, 2020

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

Bass is a top-performing student in his program. “Devin has excelled as one of the top students in the Industrial Maintenance Systems Technology program,” said STC Industrial Maintenance Systems Department Head Travis Wright. “He helps students in the program that are having trouble in a particular subject area. His ability to connect with current and future students is to be commended.”

GOAL honors outstanding students at each of the Technical College System of Georgia institutions. Devin will represent Savannah Tech at the statewide competition in April in Atlanta, where the statewide GOAL winner will be selected. The highly competitive process involves academic success, community engagement and public speaking. Winners are nominated by their instructors and selected after interviews with a panel of business and community leaders.

He is a manufacturing apprentice at JCB North America. He has worked various positions at JCB North America. As a recruiter, he speaks with high school students about the opportunities with JCB, as well as those with the College. He is also a mentor for new apprentices with JCB.

Before training at Savannah Technical College, he served as an Infantry Section Leader with the U.S. Army. During his more than five years of service he distinguished himself as a combat veteran. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold).

He is on track to graduate this fall with an associate of applied science in Industrial Maintenance Systems and Precision Manufacturing. Also, he has completed welding training. He has been selected to represent the College at SkillsUSA in Georgia for the Mechatronics team, as well.

“I chose technical education because it provides an affordable, high-quality education with classes that I can attend around my work schedule,” Bass said. “The skills that I learn at Savannah Technical College are highly marketable. The time commitment in acquiring them is shorter, so I may put them to use in my field sooner.”

STC’s Industrial Maintenance Systems program prepares students for an in demand career. Required maintenance of machinery is vital to the production of manufactured goods. Those employed as industrial systems technologists are trained in fluid power, programmable logic controls, electricity, mechanics and other specified areas of machine functionality. Industrial Maintenance is one of Georgia’s high demand jobs that qualify for the HOPE Career Grant. For more information visit: www.savannahtech.edu/IndustrialSystems.

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#2024 | February 17, 2020

Industrial Technology Advisor: Secene Dorsey
912.443.5859 or sdorsey@savannahtech.edu

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College’s Savannah Culinary Institute offers its eighth annual online, pre-order Sweetheart Sale featuring assorted artisan chocolates, pastries and artisan breads for Valentine’s Day at www.bistrosavoir.com.

Hand-made chocolates include dipped strawberries (6) and an assortment of 15 handmade chocolate truffles in five flavors: passion fruit/white chocolate, orange butter ganache/milk chocolate, honey caramel/dark chocolate, amaretti/milk chocolate, raspberry/white and dark chocolate. Truffles will be sold in a heart-shaped cardboard box for $24 or an artisan dark chocolate bon bon box for $36. The sale also features chocolate eclairs, dark chocolate coconut macaroons, fudgy brownies, lemon/raspberry mousse cake and chocolate/strawberry mousse cake. Artisan breads include a heart-shaped brioche loaf and a sourdough white chocolate baguette.

Online pre-order sales are available through February 12, or when quantities are sold out. Orders will be available for pickup at the College’s Savannah campus February 13 from 2-6PM and on February 14 from 9AM – noon in the Eckburg Auditorium (5717 White Bluff Road). By request only, pickup will be available at the Crossroads, Liberty and Effingham Campuses. For a list of items for sale and to place orders, visit www.bistrosavoir.com.

The Sweetheart Sale features the finest quality ingredients that are locally sourced, milled and handmade under the direction of Chef Zebulon Berry. Proceeds will benefit Savannah Technical College’s Junior Chefs Fund, which supports activities like competitions.

Orders will be available for pickup at the College’s Savannah campus on February 13 from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m., and February 14 from 9 a.m. until noon. By request only, pickup will be available at the Crossroads, Liberty and Effingham Campuses. For a pick-up schedule, a complete list of items for sale and to place orders, visit www.bistrosavoir.com.

Savannah Tech’s baking and pastry program that was developed by the College to teach the art of creating tasty baked goods, pastries, and confections, from traditional bread baking to beautiful showpieces. Students learn a variety of international and classical pastries and desserts using basic and advanced techniques, which meet industry quality standards.  Graduates are working as pastry chefs in the area’s finest restaurants and establishments, including Local 11 Ten, Le Café Gourmet, Savannah Yacht Club, and The Landings Club. There are 40 students are currently enrolled in the baking and pastry program.

With support from the Savannah Technical College Foundation, the College has purchased 7 West Bay Street as the new downtown location for an expansion of its Culinary Arts program that will more than double the available instructional space. Senior level (second year) students will take classes and work in the bakery and restaurant. The hands-on, real-world experience in the restaurant/bakery will allow students the opportunity to apply techniques learned in the classroom to practical use, complete a required field placement, and gain first-hand experience in restaurant operations. 

New students are admitted to the baking and pastry program year round. The application deadline for summer semester 2020 is April 30. For more information about Culinary Arts at Savannah Tech visit: www.facebook.com/ChefJeanVendeville.

About the Savannah Technical College’s Savannah Culinary Institute
The Savannah Culinary Institute, an American Culinary Federation-accredited culinary arts program, has been described as the “best in the U.S.A” by its ACF accreditation review board. According to the ACF committee chair, the Culinary Institute of Savannah, offering ACF-accredited diploma and degree programs in culinary arts, has gone “well over and above the standards and expectations for a technical college teaching facility.” The committee recommended that the program receive the maximum accreditation time of seven years, when the average is three years. Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts associate degree graduates have a 100% placement rate in their field since 2015. The program has earned regional and national recognition with ACF-sponsored competitions. For more information visit: www.savannahtech.edu/SavannahCulinaryInstitute.

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#2023 | February 3, 2020
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH, GA – Savannah Technical College’s Aviation Division, in partnership with Savannah Aviation, will offer a six-week Private Pilot Ground School starting February 25. The class will meet from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the STC Aviation Training Center (170 Crossroads Parkway).

Savannah Aviation Director of Operations David Scroggs is excited to partner with the College to offer flight training opportunities for Savannah and surrounding areas. “The Savannah Technical College Aviation Training Center is an ideal venue to teach the finer points of flying aircraft. We look forward to building a strong workforce of qualified aviators to meet the pilot shortage that is affecting the entire aviation industry.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for the certification of every pilot from the initial private level all the way to the airline transport category and as such requires a three pronged approach in the form of a knowledge test, an oral exam, and a practical check ride before granting any individual a pilot license.  Within this course students will have a thorough understanding of the science, theory, history, and regulations pertaining to flight which is not only critical, but necessary for anyone who seeks to fly whether as a hobby or pursuing a lifelong career in aviation.

Successful completion of this course, along with instructor endorsement, will authorize the student to take the FAA Private Pilot Knowledge examination.  After successfully passing the knowledge exam, the student can move on to flying lessons in an actual aircraft with a certified flight instructor who will endorse them for the FAA required oral exam/practical check ride.

Attendees must be at least 16 years of age. Cost for the six-week Private Pilot Ground School is $550 and includes course materials and 25 hours of instruction. Register by Feb. 18 at www.savannahtech.edu/GroundSchool. For more information, contact aviation@savanahtech.edu.

Savannah Technical College’s Aviation division offers specialty aviation continuing education courses, like the new Private Pilot Ground School, and credit aviation programs for Aircraft Structural, Aviation Maintenance and Avionics training. For the past three years, graduates from STC’s credit aviation programs have a 100% placement rate and 97% placement in field (AY 2016-18).

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2022 | January 30, 2020

Amy Shaffer, APR
Director of Communications, Savannah Technical College
912-443-5512
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

Joseph I. Rodriguez.  CFI, CFII
Flight Instructor, Savannah Aviation
757.329.0266
joseph.i.rodriguez.01@gmail.com

SAVANNAH – Sixteen students from the Savannah Technical College Peace Officer Academy celebrated graduating from the program with a completion ceremony today.

The eight men and eight women have completed coursework containing the entire Georgia Peace Officer Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Law Enforcement Training Course. Their successful completion of the program qualifies them to be state-certified peace officers.

This is the 29th group of students to complete the program since its inception in 2009. To date, the program has graduated 380 P.O.S.T.-certified officers. Many candidates are in various stages of the application process with statewide agencies. Twelve of the eighteen candidates have been hired by area police departments. Savannah Tech’s Peace Officer Academy has a 97% placement rate.     

Each cohort selects a fallen officer for whom the graduating class will be named. The cohorts have a tradition of giving the family of the fallen officer a challenge coin dedicated to the officer. A challenge coin is a symbol of an unbreakable bond of dedication and allegiance among military personnel and law enforcement officers. The challenge coin tradition started as a military tradition in World War I and was later adopted by law enforcement.  

This cohort honors Cpl. Luis Molina of the Savannah Police Department, who passed away on August 18, 2018. He leaves to cherish his memory his mother, brothers & several nieces and nephews and dear friends.

The Basic Law Enforcement Technical Certificate of Credit provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to become competent law enforcement officers. The 18-week cohort program utilizes classroom instruction pertaining to criminal justice theory and the prevailing principles of modern law enforcement, as well as practical application of pertinent enforcement skills. College coursework contains the entire Georgia Peace Officers Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Law Enforcement Training Course so that successful completion of the program will qualify the student to be a state-certified peace officer.

     For more information about the Peace Officer Academy visit

www.savannahtech.edu/PeaceOfficerAcademy or contact the office at 912.443.5191 or njones@savannahtech.edu.

The next class begins in March 2020.

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#2019 | November 15, 2019
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu