SAVANNAH – The Georgia Board of Nursing has appointed Asha Anumolu, Savannah Technical College’s Department Head/Instructor of Practical Nursing, to serve on the Nursing Education Committee. Anumolu was appointed for a two-year term.

“It is an honor for Asha to be appointed as a leader in nursing education for the state of Georgia,” said STC Dean of Health Sciences H. Scott Kroell. “Her career-long commitment to excellence in nursing and curriculum expertise will be an asset for this volunteer board. Her service is a great example of Savannah Technical College’s commitment to serve our communities.”

Anumolu is a 1992 graduate of Georgia Southern University with a master’s of science in nursing with a specialization in maternal-infant nursing. She earned a bachelor of science in nursing from Columbia Union College in Silverspring, Maryland. At Jesus and Mary College in New Delhi India, she earned a bachelor’s of arts in economics & statistics with honors in 1982.

Prior to starting her career in education, Anumolu worked as a nurse for more than a decade and was a clinical nurse specialist at Brunswick hospital, and a staff nurse working in labor and delivery at Candler Hospital. She was a nursing instructor at the Georgia Southern University School of Nursing for 14 years, where she was active on committees and coordinated clinical placement of students at all three Savannah hospitals.

In 2008, Anumolu was named department head for the Practical Nursing program at Savannah Technical College. Anumolu completes annual accreditation reports for the Georgia Board of Nursing and the National League of Nursing. She revamped STC’s course curriculum to reflect the course competencies and accreditation requirements. She also instituted policies to maintain safe practice standards. She is consortium chair for the region and participates at state and national levels to review core curriculum for practical nursing.

Savannah Technical College’s nursing program has had an average 97.15% National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) passing rate for the last two years. This competitive admission nursing program prepares graduates to pass the NCLEX-PN to test to be an LPN and work in doctor’s offices, for the health department or for nursing homes. For more information on the LPN and other Health Sciences programs visit: savannahtech.edu/HealthSciences.

###

#1604 | July 22, 2015
Health Sciences Academic Advisor: Cindy Cole
912.443.5721 or ccole@savannahtech.edu

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

 

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College has selected H. Scott Kroell, Jr. as its Dean for Health Sciences. In this role, Kroell is responsible for managing initiatives related to the Health Science programs and instructional services including community, high school and college programs; E-learning and faculty department. He will also serve as a liaison between Academic Affairs and other units of the college.

“We are thrilled to have Scott Kroell as the new dean for our Health Sciences division,” said STC President Dr. Kathy Love. “His extensive leadership in health care, understanding of the value technical education provides for workforce development, along with his service to our communities made him the top candidate. He knows the health care needs of the communities we serve and will be a great leader for the College as it works to expand healthcare-related training in Liberty County.”

Kroell holds a master of health administration from Georgia State University and a bachelor of industrial engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. He recently retired as Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Regional Medical Center in Hinesville, Ga., after two decades of service. He is a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives, a board member of the Georgia Board of Nursing Home Administration, Healthcare Georgia Foundation and has been a member of the Governor’s Rural Hospital Stabilization Committee and Governor’s Ebola Task Force.

The Health Sciences division offers programs that prepare individuals for entry-level positions in the health-care community including: Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, Emergency Medical Services Professions, Health Care Assistant (Central Sterile Processing, Nurse Aide, Patient Care Technician), Health Care Science (for Dental Hygiene and Surgical Technology), Medical Assisting, Medical Coding/Insurance Data Entry, Phlebotomy, Practical Nursing and Surgical Technology. Some of these programs use a competitive entry process and require applicants to submit an application to be considered for acceptance into the program. The Division offers associate degrees to professional diplomas and technical certificates for programs that prepare graduates for careers in hospitals, dental offices, nursing homes and other health/illness care facilities, including home care.

###

#1603 | July 17, 2015
Health Sciences Academic Advisor: Ebony Walker
912.443.5721 or ewalker@savannahtech.edu

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

SAVANNAH – At its June 25 annual meeting, the Savannah Technical College Foundation Board of Trustees recognized long-serving members, announced leadership changes including a new Chair and Vice Chair and welcomed four new members.

Jennifer Abshire, Ben Price and Pete Liakakis were honored for their service to the Board.  All of them had served for more than ten years. Scott Center was honored for his long-time service to Executive Committee; he will remain a member of the Board.

Brian Foster, recently retired CEO of First Chatham Bank was announced as the new Board Chair; Sam McCachern, President and CEO of Thomas & Hutton was announced as the new Vice Chair. They, along with Past Chair Jim LaHaise, Secretary Helen Downing and Treasurer Stan Sparks constitute the Board’s Executive Committee.

Foster retired last year after a 45-year banking career. During his more than 25 years in Savannah, he served as chairman of United Way Campaign and board, chairman of the Chamber twice and chairman of SEDA. He was also the first chair of SDRA and of CHSA. He also served on the boards of Union Mission, Candler Hospital, and the Telfair where he is a committee chair for this year’s Telfair Ball. He is also a past President of the Rotary Club of Savannah.

McCachern is registered as a Professional Engineer in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.  His 29 years of experience includes site assessment, rezoning, preliminary engineering, permit applications, engineering design, contract documents and specifications, construction administration for a wide variety of projects.  He earned a BS in civil engineering from North Carolina State University and is Level II – Erosion and Sedimentation Control Program Certified.

Bill Dickinson, Lynn Marini, Michael Traynor and Ansley Williams were welcomed as new members.

Dickinson is a licensed, practicing psychologist in Savannah since the early 1980s. He is also the CEO and President of Wet Willie’s Management Corporation, one of our area’s fastest-growing businesses. He is also very active in the Savannah Riverfront Association and the Tourism Leadership Council. Dickinson is the driving force behind the Patrick Ansley Williams Scholarship Fund at Savannah Technical College and is also an Army veteran.

Marini is the Chief Executive Officer for The Center for Digestive and Liver Health and The Endoscopy Center, the largest gastroenterology practice outside of Atlanta for the past 12 years.  She oversees the finances, medical billings, operations, and compliance for the group. She has been responsible for new facility development and strategic planning and served as a consultant for other medical practices. She served more than a decade as Director of Operations for Physician Practice Management with St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System and had oversight of 20 primary care and internal medicine practices.

Traynor is the publisher of Savannah Morning News and has been with the newspaper for more than twenty years. He is the current chair of United Way of the Coastal Empire and serves on the Savannah Community Foundation, Union Mission, and Savannah Chamber Board among others.

Williams studied aviation engineering at Georgia Tech, but quickly found his way into the hospitality industry and has never looked back. Now owner, operator and partner in Live Oak Restaurant Group, which includes some of our area’s most successful restaurants, Williams has always been active in the community. He has been involved with Savannah Technical College for several years through the establishment of the Patrick Ansley Williams Scholarship Fund that honors his late son and supports students in hospitality and culinary arts.

Savannah Technical College Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization that raises funds to support Savannah Technical College, is currently involved in a $10 million campaign to support growth and expansion in precision manufacturing, health sciences, culinary arts and heritage tourism, technology and student support.

###

#1602 | July 8, 2015
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College has selected Dr. Charlene R. Ford as its Dean of Adult Education. In this role, Ford is responsible for establishing adult education programs for individuals and employers, promoting the program to public and private organizations and overseeing administration for assessment and placement test for all Adult Education students, as well as the English as a Second Language program, which serves more than 1,500 students annually.

Ford holds a Doctor of Organizational Leadership with a specialization in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, along with Education Specialist and a Master of Business Administration from the same institution. She also achieved a bachelor of Business Administration in Computer-Based Information Systems Management from Howard University.

Previously she was STC’s Adult Education Coordinator and Adult Education Transition Specialist. She also served as an adjunct instructor at Edward Waters College and Palm Beach State College in Florida. Her secondary education experiences include principal, assistant principal, CTE program specialist, and instructional support team leader with the School District of Palm Beach County, Florida and the Savannah Chatham County Public School System. She holds secondary and postsecondary certifications and has experienced the business community as a program coordinator with the Richmond Hill – Bryan County Chamber of Commerce.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a person with a high school or GED® credential earns $10,000 more per year than a non-high school graduate. The income level increases substantially more for those who go on to complete a college certificate, diploma or degree program. There are more than one million Georgians who are 25 years of age or older and do not have a high school education or GED diploma. Savannah Tech’s Adult Education Program serves those who need to improve their basic literacy and math skills, improve their oral and written English, practice for the GED® test to attain a high school equivalence degree, and prepare for college. Instructors also help students with science and social studies test preparation for GED® testing.

Savannah Technical College teaches adult education classes in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties with multiple locations in each community. Registration for GED classes opens July 13 for classes beginning August 31. For information, contact Adult Education at 912.443.5446 or visit http://www.savannahtech.edu/cwo/GED_Adult_Education and look for the GED Computer-Based Testing Registration Information link.

###

#1601 | July 8, 2015
Adult Education (GED Classes/Registration):
912.443.5446

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

SAVANNAH – More than 375 Savannah Technical College degree and diploma students along with GED recipients will walk across the stage at the Johnny Mercer Theatre in the Savannah Civic Center for the college’s graduation ceremony at 6 p.m., on Tuesday, June 23 at the Johnny Mercer Theatre.

For Michael Thompson, who will be graduating with his diploma in Automotive Collision Repair, this year is the culmination of a journey that began in the 1980s when he first salvaged parts for a car damaged in an accident. He did such a careful job rebuilding his old Buick that when he took the car in to be painted, the shop owner suggested he might have a real future in collision repair and encouraged him to pursue it.

But Michael’s family had been in the construction business for many years. He and his brothers were second-generation in a well-respected local firm. Then in 2012, after years of cyclical layoffs and down times in construction, he began to think seriously about turning his longtime passion of auto bodywork into his livelihood. He later enrolled at Savannah Technical College and never looked back.

“Michael was an outstanding student – one of the best we’ve had in our program,” said STC’s Automotive Collision Repair Department Head Keith Padgett. “Because he was so knowledgeable and picked things up so quickly, other students often sought his assistance. He will be very successful.”

Michael has just opened M&M Paint and Body on East Gwinnett Street – a small shop, located in a non-descript building on the east side of Savannah. According to Michael, business is good and growing every day.

“I found that I enjoyed Auto Collision Repair courses and did really well – much better than when I was in school as a young man,” he said.

Savannah Technical College offers a diploma in Auto Collision Repair, as well as technical certificates of credit for auto collision repair and automotive refinishing. For more information about this and other Industrial Technology programs, contact Seceney Dorsey at sdorsey@savannahtech.edu.

###

#1542 | June 19, 2015

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College’s Professional Continuing Education (PCE) department will offer Introduction to Fly Casting starting in July 2015. The course is part of PCE’s Business After Hours Education Series.

Introduction to Fly Casting is a four-part class offered Mondays and Wednesdays (6-8PM) beginning July 20 at the College’s Crossroads Campus (190 Crossroads Parkway, Savannah, 31407). Students will learn how to put a fly rod system together, the skill of tying knots, and the art of perfecting a cast, along with information about fishing flies, line and rod care and much more. Cost for the class is $60. For more details visit: www.savannahtech.edu/business-industry/courses

The Professional Continuing Education Department provides short-term classes in both the traditional and online classroom setting. Courses cover a variety of skills and workforce development options that match local employer’s needs.

###

#1541 | June 19, 2015
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College staff members Sherry Darnstaedt, Accounts Receivable Manager and Tammy Pierson, Grants Accountant were recognized for completing the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Administrative Services Executive Academy recently.  Darnstaedt and Pierson were presented with a certificate of completion for demonstrating professional education and commitment to their profession by TCSG Commissioner Gretchen Corbin, and TCSG Assistant Commissioner Lisa Eason at the Vice Presidents of Administrative Services meeting in Macon.

The TCSG Administrative Services Executive Academy was established in 2013 to provide college business officers training in four 8-hour sessions that encompasses all the areas involved in the Administrative Services departments of the Technical Colleges.  Such training topics included financial accounting and budgeting management, PeopleSoft accounting software, human resources, various reports to state and national offices, insurance, and business office functions.  Only 20 individuals were recognized for completing the Executive Academy in 2015.

“This is very important internal training for our senior accounting staff members,” said TCSG Assistant Commissioner Lisa Eason.  “I would like to especially thank Savannah Technical College’s Vice President of Administrative Services Sue Turner for her role in helping coordinate this year’s training session.”

Savannah Technical College President Dr. Kathy S. Love also congratulated Sherry Darnstaedt and Tammy Pierson on their completion of the Administrative Services Executive Academy:  “Sherry and Tammy are tremendous assets to our College,” said Love.  “We are very fortunate to have them as part of our team.  And, it goes without saying, that I am delighted that our system office recognizes Ms. Turner and tapped her to help lead the training efforts for the Executive Academy participants.”

###

#1540 | June 8, 2015
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College has selected Brent Stubbs as its Dean of General Studies. In this role, Stubbs is responsible for all developmental education and general education courses to include mathematics and natural sciences, humanities and fine arts, language and communication, and behavioral sciences. These courses support the diploma and degree programs at the College and serve the needs of dual enrollment and transient students as well.

Previously, Stubbs was Dean of Adult Education for the College. Under his direction, the Adult Education program consistently met and exceeded all state and federally mandated benchmarks for enrollment and student learning outcomes. In addition, he was responsible for building the Accelerating Opportunity program, nationally recognized for excellence, which is transforming the way adult education students are being served both locally and nationally.

Prior to joining Savannah Tech, Stubbs was the department chair and coordinator for the GED^® and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program at Lake Technical College located in Eustis, Fla., which serves residents of Lake County. Stubbs holds a MBA from Brenau University with an emphasis in leadership and anticipates earning his doctorate in education from Georgia Southern in 2017.

###

#1539 | June 5, 2015
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Sonny Dixon, local media legend, will deliver the commencement address at Savannah Technical College’s 2015 graduation at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23 in the Johnny Mercer Theatre at the Savannah Civic Center.

Savannah Tech has awarded 491 degrees and diplomas for students that completed coursework from fall 2014 through spring 2015. Also, 105 GED diplomas have been earned during that time. Savannah Tech expects more than 375 degree, diploma and GED recipients to participate in graduation.

Dixon retired from his 18-year career as a news anchor with WTOC-TV in May 2015. He became Savannah’s only Best Anchor Emmy Award Winner ever in 2011. (The “Best Anchor” category is the only Emmy competition that includes all markets, large and small, while all other categories are divided by market size.) He was chosen Georgia’s Best Anchor/Reporter by the Associated Press in 2005.

He is a proud Savannah native, who has readily volunteered to help out in and around his hometown for decades, serving on numerous boards, including various Chamber of Commerce Boards, the United Way of the Coastal Empire, Savannah Technical College, Rape Crisis Center, American Cancer Society, Savannah Speech and Hearing, Boy Scouts of the Coastal Empire and many more. He currently serves on the Board of the Coastal Georgia Area Arthritis Foundation and the Savannah Area Florida Gator Club.

Dixon was elected to five terms in the Georgia House of Representatives, where he held key offices and served on prominent committees, before retiring from elected office in 1997. He was twice elected to the Garden City Council before moving on to the legislature.

Due to the increased number of graduates participating in commencement, graduates will receive five tickets for guests to attend the ceremony.

###

1538 | June 4, 2015
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College students won five medals at the 2015 SkillsUSA Postsecondary State Conference, held March 26-28 at the Georgia International Convention Center at Atlanta Technical College.

STC Early Childhood Care and Education student Katelyn Cole brought home a gold medal (first place) for Early Childhood Education. Cole will move on to compete on a national level at the 51st Annual National Leadership and Skills Conference held June 22-26, 2015, in Louisville, Ky.

Savannah Tech students won three silver medals and one bronze medal in the competition. Emmett King, an automotive technology student, placed second for mobile electronics installation. STC Cosmetology student Kimberly NeSmith placed second in the employment application competition. A team of barbering students (LaQuisha Gonzalez, Wilbur Green, Brandon Sesson, and Tommy McCaskil) won silver for entrepreneurship. Practical Nursing student Nicole Bynum won a bronze medal or placed third in the practical nursing competition.

More than 500 college students from across the state of Georgia took part in the three-day competition. 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.

###

#1536 | May 6, 2015
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 | ashaffer@savannahtech.edu