Student Newsroom
- GSFC Honors 2024 Valedictorians
- Dual Enrollment Helps GPTC With Mechatronics
- State Awards Grants To Improve CTAE For High Schoolers
- Training Opportunities
GSFC Honors 2024 Valedictorians
The Zell Miller Scholarship awards Georgia students who have demonstrated superb academic achievement in high school.
These scholars were honored by Governor Brian Kemp and GSFC President Lynne Riley at the annual valedictorian reception in Atlanta on June 1.
GSFC Outreach Representatives and agency volunteers helped the hundreds of students and their family members throughout the morning at the Georgia State Convocation Center.
Breakfast was served and pictures were taken with signage, state dignitaries and mascots from colleges across the state.
"We’re proud of you and looking forward to your continued success," said Kemp. "Our future is bright because of these young leaders!"
Dual Enrollment Helps GPTC With Mechatronics
Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary field at the intersection of mechanics, electronics, and computing to create simpler, smarter systems. Systems being taught to high school students at Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) thanks to a nearly $350K grant by the U.S. National Science Foundation.
“This award allows us to introduce high school students to career options in emerging technologies that result in high wages,” said GPTC President Dr. Tavarez Holston. “It is timely and relevant for regional workforce development efforts.”
Students will complete their studies with two college technical certificates of credit by the time they graduate high school – putting them ahead of the hiring game in a high-tech field. The collaboration between GPTC and area high schools means participating students will have one-on-one career exploration opportunities in mechatronics and other STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) -related fields.
“I am encouraged by the growing study of STEM by students — particularly those in K-12,” said Congressman Hank Johnson to On Common Ground News. “(GPTC’s) award of this grant not only advances the interest of students looking into mechatronics but gives those who would not otherwise be able to afford these courses an opportunity to grow their knowledge and provide them with valuable experiences.”
Dual Enrollment provided students the opportunity to experience college courses while still in high school during all terms of the school year.
State Awards Grants To Improve CTAE For High Schoolers
The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) and Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) recently announced awarding 15 school districts grants to connect local industry needs with Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs for high school students.
"(This) will help us ensure graduates can pursue fulfilling, high-paying careers without having to leave home,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “That’s a win for Georgia students and Georgia communities."
"Preparing the next generation of hardworking Georgians to lead successful careers in all parts of our state is one of our top priorities," said Governor Brian Kemp. "These grants will help schools connect their students with the thousands of opportunities available to them in fast-growing fields."
Dual Enrollment provides high school students an opportunity to begin their postsecondary education while still in high school. The program is offered during all terms and provides standard tuition, books, and other mandatory fees. Here are some examples of residents around the state taking advantage.
- According to Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) President Jim Glass, Trenton Dillard and Blair Golden became only the second and third high school students to earn their commercial truck driving technical certificate.
"It's not for just anyone," said SRTC’s high school coordinator Mandy Ponder, noting the 10-week program doesn’t work with typical high school schedules and students must obtain their CDL licenses before they can even take the course.
"I plan to work with my dad," Golden said the Tifton Gazette, whose father runs Golden Environmental, a waste management company in Tifton.
- Before walking to receive her high school diploma from Savannah Arts Academy, NeeAli Scott had already earned an associate of science degree from Savannah State University.
"I really just wanted to get as much education as I can now for free,” said Scott. “In the state of Georgia, you get 30 credits free. So that's already half of the associate degree."
She hasn’t decided where to attend college but, “I would like to work in an inner-city hospital and give back…wherever I may end up.”
Training Opportunities
Remember, GSFC’s outreach staff is available year-round to conduct FREE training's, workshops and information sessions across the state of Georgia.
Over the last year, GSFC’s outreach team has incorporated online live webinars.
Topics include:
- State financial aid programs (HOPE, Dual Enrollment, etc.)
- SURFER/STARS
- Transcript Exchange
- FAFSA Completion
- GAfutures.org Overview
Visit the Outreach module to learn more about the GSFC’s outreach team what services are provided.
Contact your outreach representative to schedule your training, or contact our offices:
Phone: 770.724.9000 Toll Free: 800.505.GSFC
K -12 email: outreach@gsfc.org
Postsecondary email: SAS@gsfc.org