15 Adult Education Awards in 2014

It’s been a rewarding year here at the College. So far, we have received 15 awards from four highly respected adult learning organizations: the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE), the Association for Continuing Higher Education (ACHE), Georgia Adult Education Association (GAEA) and the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) which announced national and regional (UPCEA South) winners.

The 15 honors set a new standard for the College as the most awards received in a calendar year. The previous mark was set in 2012 by capturing eight awards.

“We are truly honored and excited to be recognized by these awards,” said Barbara S. Calhoun, dean. “We have a strong, hard-working team sharing the same ultimate goal — to empower those through lifelong learning.”

The 15 awards won this year include the following:

AAACE

• Outstanding Service Medallion – Barbara S. Calhoun

ACHE

• Crystal Marketing Award – Casino Night Scholarship Fundraiser
• Individual Leadership Award – Barbara S. Calhoun
• Older Adult Model Program Award – OLLI

GAEA

• Innovative Program Award – Winter Career Training Expo
• Exemplary Contribution Service Award – Casino Night Advisory Board
• Innovative Marketing Award – Casino Night Scholarship Fundraiser

UPCEA Marketing

• Publications: Newsletter – Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Newsletter
• Interactive Media Campaign – Promotional Videos (Information Systems Security, Paralegal and OLLI programs)

UPCEA South

• Outstanding Service to Continuing Education – Brenda Lora, production manager
• Professional Continuing Educator Award – Michelle Girage, assistant dean
• Program of Excellence; Noncredit – Paralegal Certificate
• Emerging Continuing Education Leader – Karen Smith, manager of strategic initiatives
• Engagement Award – Training for International Educators (TIE) Program
• Continuing Education Student Award – Moises Arroyo

“This demonstrates the uniqueness and talent of our entire staff,” said Michelle Girage, assistant dean. “We are humbled and thrilled by this recognition. It’s sure to inspire us moving forward.”

“I’m honored to work with such an amazing team of individuals who have developed outstanding programs to meet the training needs in our area,” said Tamara Grooms, assistant dean. “I’m elated to see their accomplishments are being recognized by regional as well as national organizations.”

Photo: From left to right are (front row) Cheryl Rodewig, social media specialist; Lyn Cohen, program manager for Languages; Barbara S. Calhoun, dean; Michelle Girage, assistant dean; (back row) Davia Lassiter, marketing manager; Robert Smith, assistant marketing director; Jason Brown, copywriter;  and Jennifer Henderson, program manager for Paralegal, HR and Payroll certificates.