SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College has selected Pete Hoffman as its vice president for Student Affairs. He is responsible for providing and administering a comprehensive system of student support services at the college, including counseling, admission, orientation, testing, financial aid, job placement, special populations assistance, graduation events and student activities.

Prior to coming to Savannah Tech, Hoffman worked as the director for community engagement and government affairs for Georgia Southern University and for Armstrong State University. While at Armstrong, he was also director of the Armstrong Liberty Campus.

He served as a commissioned officer in the active duty U.S. Army for three decades, attaining the rank of Colonel. He held command and staff positions at a variety of levels, with responsibility for all aspects of training, administration, logistics and maintenance. He also acted in a diplomatic capacity, liaising and negotiating with foreign government representatives on critical issues such as arms control and bilateral defense related engagements.

He has a master of public administration from Cornell University and a bachelor of arts in political science from North Georgia College. He completed advanced Russian language training at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif., along with post-graduate studies (Russia and the Former Soviet Union) from the U.S. Army Russian Institute in Garmisch, Germany. He also serves on various boards including the Small Business Assistance Corporation, National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, STARBASE Savannah Foundation Task Force, MountainFilm on Tour Savannah, and Friends of Ft. Stewart and Hunter AAF.

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#1912 | September 6, 2018

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

CHSGa establishes a new scholarship fund for Practical Nursing students at Savannah Tech

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The CHSGa Practical Nursing Scholarship is an opportunity for Savannah Technical College students in the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program thanks to a fund created by Fildena.net and CHSGa. CHSGa, a non-profit healthcare system, gave STC’s Foundation $6,000 to provide scholarships to qualified students enrolled in the LPN program.

“By providing the CHSGa Practical Nursing Scholarship we are assisting students who are committed to the healthcare profession and future workforce,” states Ronnie Rollins, President and CEO of CHSGa.

CHSGA established their Practical Nursing Scholarship in support of students in the diploma program in pursuit of entry-level careers. The scholarship is open to LPN students, upon formal admission, during their first term of study upon satisfactory completion of all requirements. LPN students are required to submit a 200-word essay that speaks to student character and their commitment to nursing. Funds aid students in the cost for tuition, books, supplies and any other related educational expenses.

One of the 12 students to receive this scholarship at Savannah Technical College is Bryce Ewing. “I have always felt drawn to helping people in any way possible,” said Ewing. “We sometimes put ourselves on the back burner when it comes to our health, and possibly in other areas of our lives, however, as a nurse I am happily going to remind them to put themselves first and foremost.” Giving back to her community makes Ewing’s career choice more rewarding. “I know this is one of the most challenging professions,” she said, “However, I am absolutely looking forward to embracing all challenges and endeavors.”

Kevin O’Brien, another scholarship recipient, joined the military as a medic, but knew nursing was his calling. “The more I tended to patients, fulfilling their medical needs, the more I grew to love healthcare,” said O’Brien. “There is no greater feeling than providing a patient knowledge and guidance towards recovery. Nursing is much more than just supplying medication, drawing blood and all of the other skills that are performed. Nursing is caring, listening, guiding, healing and even a simple smile will give a patient the hope and drive they need to continue the healing process.”

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), under the direction of physicians and registered nurses, care for people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled. Program graduates receive a practical nursing diploma and have the qualifications of an entry-level practical nurse. Employment of LPNs is projected to grow much faster than average. Overall job prospects are expected to be very good, but job outlook varies by industry. The best job opportunities will occur in nursing care facilities and home healthcare services. Savannah Technical College offers the competitive-admission LPN program at the Savannah and Liberty campuses. For more information about Practical Nursing, contact STC Health Sciences Advisor Cindy Cole at 912.443.5721 or ccole@savannahtech.edu.

CHSGa is a non-profit healthcare system working with service delivery lines that provide skilled nursing care, hospice care, home health services, transitional care services, acute care, rehabilitation therapy, pharmacy services, medical supply distribution, mobile imaging, and emergency transportation services.

For information on establishing a student scholarship or supporting the STC Foundation, please contact STC’s Executive Director for Institutional Advancement and Communications Gail Eubanks (geubanks@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.3022).

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#1910 | September 5, 2018
STC Health Sciences Advisor Cindy Cole
912.443.5721 or ccole@savannahtech.edu

STC Foundation/Scholarships: Gail Eubanks
912.443.3022 or geubanks@savannahtech.edu

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

SAVANNAH, GA – Savannah Technical College’s Professional and Continuing Education division has partnered with CrossFlight Sky Solutions to offer training for FAA Certified Commercial Drone Pilots. CrossFlight Sky Solutions are recognized experts in the SUAS / Drone technology field.

The 22-hour program covers FAA rules and regulations, airspace classifications, risk assessment tools, aeronautical decision making, airport operations, weather and much more. Students will also take part in both a manual and automated hands-on flying segment during the class, as well as discuss potential career paths in the exploding drone technology field.

“Through this partnership we desire to create a wave of certified commercial FAA drone pilots, ready to begin and carve their careers in the exciting and fast growing drone technology industry,” said CrossFlight CEO Jerry Whittaker. “We feel that this partnership fits perfectly with Savannah Technical College’s commitment to excellence in advanced technology.”

The class will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. the week of October 29 (Monday through Friday), plus 9 am to noon on Saturday November 10 at STC’s Crossroad Technology Campus. The cost per attendee is $595. There is an additional fee for the FAA certification commercial drone pilot exam, which students may schedule after completion of the course. For more information, or to register for the class, please visit www.savannahtech.edu/pce-drone contact Janie Gordon at 912-443-5341 or jgordon@savannahtech.edu

For more information on CrossFlight Sky Solutions, please contact Brian McGuire at 843-338-0759 or brian@crossflightskysolutions.com.

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#1907 | August 16, 2018

Register/Course Information: Janie Gordon
912.443.5341 or jgordon@savannahtech.edu

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

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College will host Bistro Savoir Interactif in partnership with the Savannah Food and Wine Festival at 5:45 p.m., on Thursday, November 1 in the Eckburg Auditorium (5717 White Bluff Road, Savannah, 31405).

“This is absolutely one of my favorite events of the year,” said Michael Owens, co-founder of Savannah Food & Wine Festival and President/CEO of Tourism Leadership Council. “There’s just something special about an evening dedicated to the appreciation of great food, wine, education all in the name of supporting the Patrick Williams Scholarship fund. This event is so important to the mission of the Savannah Food & Wine Festival to fundraise and increase awareness of local non-profits organizations and funds.”

Bistro Savoir Interactif will feature four destinations stations along with appetizers and desserts. Guests will travel around the world with elegant tasting opportunities paired with wine selections at the destination stations with take-home recipes. Three stations will feature chef demonstrations where guests work alongside chefs to learn techniques of making two types of Asian dumplings, Turkish meatballs and pickled peppers. Chef Vendeville will provide insight for a Australian wine pairings with sausage rolls with chef-made filling, beef sliders with beetroot and pavlova at one of the stations. International cuisine will include China, Turkey, Jamaica, and Australia.

Cost is $100 per person with proceeds supporting the Patrick Ansley Williams Scholarship at Savannah Technical College. Seating is limited to 120. Advance tickets may be purchased online: www.savannahtech.edu/BistroSavoirInteractif.

The evening will be hosted by the American Culinary Federation 2014 Chef Educator of the Year Chef Jean Vendeville. Guests will sample red snapper Escovitch over vegetables, Turkish meatballs with tzatziki and traditional Turkish salad and Asian stir fry along with, artisan breads, cheeses and charcuterie, artisan chocolates.

Attendees will have the chance for $5 fish bowl raffles at each station and the opportunity to bid on a private Chef’s Table Dinner for 10 with Chef Vendeville.

In the past four years, Bistro Savoir Interactif raised more than $55,000 to benefit the Patrick Ansley Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund. This scholarship was started in 2012 by Bill Dickinson to honor the late Patrick Williams. Five $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually to STC culinary and hospitality students with a minimum 3.0 grade point average, who are selected by the College’s scholarship committee. Funds are applied toward tuition, fees, books and required supplies.

STC scholarship funds are managed by the Savannah Technical College Foundation, a 501 (c)3 organization whose sole purpose is to raise private funds to support the mission of Savannah Technical College. Gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

In June, the STC Foundation purchased 7 West Bay Street as the new location for an expansion of the College’s Culinary Arts program. The expansion will more than double the available instructional space for Culinary Arts and Baking& Pastry Arts. Senior level (second year) students will take classes and work in the bakery and restaurant. The hands-on, real-world experience in the restaurant 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 running a restaurant and serving the general public.

Savannah Food & Wine Festival
The Savannah Food & Wine Festival takes place throughout Savannah, November 5-11, 2018, with celebrity chefs and winemakers, connoisseur dinners, one-of-a-kind culinary, spirits, wine and beverage experiences. The most up-to-date festival information is available on the website: www.savannahfoodandwinefestival.com on Twitter @SAVFoodWineFest #savfw and Facebook at Savannah Food & Wine Festival.

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 his 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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#1907 | August 10, 2018
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

 

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College has selected Jim Krupp as its Military Outreach Coordinator. He will coordinate a variety of initiatives enabling current and former military personnel, as well as their family members, to enroll in the college, graduate, and engage in careers with our local industries and businesses.

Krupp previously worked as a Military and Veterans Programs Specialist for Armstrong State University/Georgia Southern University for three years. He is a retired Army Aviation First Sergeant with over 26 years of active duty service. Krupp completed a number of assignments throughout his military career including overseas duty in Germany, Korea, and Hawaii, and also participated in several combat deployments including to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Krupp served in a variety of duty assignments including Aircraft Armament Technician, Senior Instructor/Writer, Recruiter/Station Commander, Support Operations Senior Advisor, and culminating as a Company First Sergeant. He is married with two daughters, and he and his family currently reside in Richmond Hill.

He is candidate for a master of education in adult education and community leadership from Georgia Southern University (anticipated graduation December 2018), and has completed a master of arts in professional communication and leadership from Armstrong State University (2016) and a bachelor of science in general studies with a minor in management from Columbia College (2013).

In 2018, Savannah Technical College was ranked first for the second year in a row in the U.S. by Military Times for Career & Technical Colleges. One in four STC students is a veteran, active duty service member or a military dependent/spouse. The College waives all general mandatory fees for active duty service members using military tuition assistance. Three years ago, the College opened a Veteran’s Service Center at the Savannah campus. Savannah Tech has the largest enrollment of military-affiliated students in the Technical College System of Georgia.

For more information about military services or enrollment, visit www.savannahtech.edu/military or contact Jim Krupp at (912.443.4155 or jkrupp@savannahtech.edu).

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1905 | August 2, 2018

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

Savannah, Ga. – Savannah Technical College’s Historic Preservation program has developed a hybrid program for students to take courses online and in-person to earn a technical certificate of credit (TCC).

The new Historic Preservation Program Assistant TCC has been designed to provide an academic foundation to those already working in the historic preservation field or with an interest in exploring the field. The first hybrid program of its kind provides students with the ability complete 75 percent of the material online, while still gaining relevant hands-on experience through various face-to-face group activities.

“This program is tailored to individuals that are looking to develop a fundamental and well-rounded understanding of the field of historic preservation,” said STC Historic Preservation Department Head Benjamin Curran. “This technical certificate provides a more convenient option for full-time employees in the fields of architecture, drafting, construction, community planning, or historic site administration.”

Students will learn the fundamental theories, practices, and preservation methods that will allow them the opportunity to increase their abilities to act as stewards and advocates for historic buildings and landscapes. Upon completion of the program, student wills receive a 24 credit TCC, as well as have completed two semesters worth of the academic classes required for the Historic Preservation and Restoration Associate Degree. Students enrolled full-time are projected to complete the TCC in three terms. Students enrolled in this program may qualify to receive the HOPE Career Grant.

“Our intent is to provide additional opportunities for individuals seeking to elevate themselves occupationally, or those that would like additional skills with which to protect and preserve their own communities,” said Curran.

As the only public hands-on Historic Preservation program in Georgia and one of seven in the U.S., Savannah Technical College has led the way in preservation education, specializing in training not typically held by construction workers. The program has gained international recognition and has contributed to a number of community-based preservation projects in the surrounding communities. Traditional Building Magazine named Savannah Tech’s Historic Preservation program one of the nation’s Up and Coming programs.

STC’s fall semester starts August 20, and new students are encouraged to apply by August 3. For more information visit:www.savannahtech.edu/CenterTraditionalCraft, www.savannahtech.edu/HPHybrid, or contact STC’s Historic Preservation Department Head Benjamin Curran at bcurran@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.5864.

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1904 | July 30, 2018

Historic Preservation Academic Advisor: Secene Dorsey
912.443.5859 or ssdorsey@savannahtech.edu

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

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College has selected Connie Clark as its vice president of administrative services. As vice president, Clark will responsible for planning, organizing and directing the overall administration of the College’s financial and student financial services operations.

Clark began her professional career in banking as the financial manager of Statesboro Federal Credit Union.  Clark began her career in higher education at Georgia Southern University in 1996 serving most recently as University Budget and Research Accounting Director.  She also previously worked as a business manager in the Office of Student Loans and as an accountant in the Office of Revenue Accounting at Georgia Southern.

She has a master of business administration (2012) and a bachelor of business administration with an emphasis in accounting (1992) from Georgia Southern University.  Clark is also a 2016 graduate of the Eagle Leadership program.

Clark served on several University System of Georgia committees and project teams including the USG Budget Issues Committee, the OneUSG Connect design and implementation team, the President Assessment Advisory team, and co-chair of the budget project team and member of the financials project team for the Armstrong/Georgia Southern Consolidation.

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1902 | July 13, 2018
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

Louisville, Ky. – Jonathan Nary, an Automotive Technology student at Savannah Technical College, won silver in the national SkillsUSA mobile electronics competition recently. The national competition was held during the 54^th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Ky.

The SkillsUSA Mobile Electronics Installation competition evaluates each contestant’s preparation for employment and recognizes outstanding students for excellence and professionalism in the field of mobile electronics installation. There is a written test based on the Mobile Electronics Certified Professional Basic Installation Technician exam produced by the Consumer Electronics Association. There is also a professional interview and five hands-on applications that include taking electrical measurements, installing consumer electronic equipment in a mobile environment, soldering, working with relay circuits and troubleshooting electronic circuitry.

Nary is continuing his Automotive Technology coursework at STC’s Liberty Campus this semester, while working as an installer at Extreme Audio.

To qualify for the national team, STC competitors won gold in seven categories on the state level earlier this year:

• Mechatronics: Miguel Gonzales and Robert Griner (Industrial Maintenance Systems);
• Carpentry: Taylor McMasters (Construction Management);
• Cosmetology: Rachel Nelson (Cosmetology);
• Nail Care: Whitney Turnquest (Cosmetology);
• Mobile Electronics Installation: Jonathan Nary (Automotive Technology);
• Welding Art Sculpture: Erin Klienweber (Welding & Joining);
• Nurse Assisting: Jannie Jason (Practical Nursing).

About SkillsUSA SkillsUSA is a career and technical student organization that annually serves more than 320,000 high school, college and postsecondary students–and their instructors–in technical, skilled and service-occupation instructional programs. SkillsUSA is a national, nonprofit student organization that has developed more than 10 million workers through active partnerships between employers and educators. Hundreds of American industries have turned to SkillsUSA as the source for employees who exemplify “Champions at Work” in both skills and attitudes. SkillsUSA’s mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. At the heart of this mission are SkillsUSA’s core values: integrity, responsibility, citizenship, service and respect.

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#1901 | July 12, 2018
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

Savannah Technical College students are invited to create a smartphone film to illustrate employability skills. The 30 sec – 2 min film will tell a story about employability and critical thinking skills and is due July 13. The top films will be presented to the college community on Wednesday, July 18 at Savannah, Liberty, and Effingham campuses. Students, faculty, and staff will vote on the top film submissions. See submission guidelines and contest rules below.

STC programs prepare students for hire-ability in the workforce. The most essential components employers look for are candidates that have BOTH a balance of high level technical job skills and development of soft skills to communicate and collaborate effectively in work relationships. Organizations remain competitive by employees excelling in: teamwork, flexibility, creativity, leadership, streamlined communication, effective conflict resolution and strong interaction with peers/clients.

Contest Guidelines: Students will produce a 30 second – 2 minutes video about Soft-Skills/Employability Skills. Individual or team submissions are welcomed. Film must be produced using a smartphone or tablet. The top films will be selected by the QEP Committee to be presented in the auditorium to the college community. Finalists will be notified via STC student email by Monday, July 16. Event attendees will vote on the top film finalists via live text poll in Eckburg Auditorium (standard messaging and data carrier rates apply). Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

For contest rules and entry form, visit: www.savannahtech.edu/QFilmFest.

The Q character was created to illustrate Savannah Technical College’s Quality Enhancement Program or QEP. This is an action plan that is required as a key component of the SACS reaffirmation process. The topic of the plan must address an issue that is related to enhancing the quality of student learning at STC. It provides the opportunity for our institution to “enhance overall institutional quality and effectiveness by focusing on an issue or issues the institution considers important to improving student learning”.

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

The eight men 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 25th group of students to complete the program since its inception in 2009. To date, the program has graduated 321 P.O.S.T.-certified officers. Many candidates are in various stages of the application process with statewide agencies. Seven 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 Detective Lieutenant Alan Elliott of the Bloomingdale Police Dept. who passed away suddenly on March 9, 2017 after a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his sister Becky, and one daughter Katie.

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 rrobertson@savannahtech.edu.

The next cohorts begin July 2 and October 22.

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1826 | June 27, 2018

Business and Professional Services Academic Advisor:
Amber Robinson: 912.443.5719 or arobinson@savannahtech.edu

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