KSU collects awards, educates others at UPCEA South

Our continuing education team attended the University Professional Continuing Education Association’s regional conference Oct. 12-15 in Dallas, Texas. This annual event recognizes continuing education programs, students and staff in a 13-state region.

Two of our very own were honored at this annual event. Jermile Richards, Health Coach certificate graduate, received the Continuing Education Student Award. He is the third consecutive KSU continuing education student to receive this award. ESL graduate Moises Arroyo and Payroll graduate Natalia M. Higgins, won in 2014 and 2015 (respectively).

Richards, who was featured on the cover of the Course Magazine (July-September 2016), experienced a life-changing event when he suffered a stroke at the age of 25. After learning how to walk and talk again, he dedicated himself to not only living a healthier life but works to educate youth on how to do the same. Richards said, “I am a miracle. I got a second chance.”

John “Dick” Edwards, longtime Paralegal certificate instructor, received the Professional Continuing Educator award. Edwards is our lead instructor for Legal Research and Writing classes and is also an assistant district attorney for Cobb County. Our law library is named after his father, Joe R. Edwards, also a prominent name in Atlanta’s legal field.

Jennifer Henderson, Continuing Ed paralegal program manager, said, “He has been fully committed to the students in our program. He is one of the most selfless instructors we have.”

Alice Warren, president of UPCEA, addressed those in attendance. She noted the awards ceremony as a special time during the conference.

“I looked up the meaning of awards and excellence,” Alice said. “Awards are something given … to recognize their excellence in a certain field. Excellence means a state of education and condition of excelling and offering something of a superior nature. This is a great way to acknowledge excellence quality superior passion of the work we are trying to do.”

In addition to the award presentations, our Continuing Education marketing team educated conference attendees with two presentations: “Identity Crisis: A Branding Success Story” and “We Did It: Utilizing Student Testimonials to Marketing Your Programs.” Presenters were Michelle Girage, assistant dean; Davia Rose Lassiter, marketing director; Jason Brown, copywriter; and Cheryl Rodewig, social media specialist.

Barbara Calhoun, continuing education dean, said, “We are so grateful for UPCEA South’s recognition of our student, instructor and staff. These honors are a shining example of our mission and vision in the field of continuing education.”