James_Sept-Oct_2025_web - Flipbook - Page 55
Students were repairing planes and instrumentation panels on fighter jets and cargo aircraft. And
we understood that was a small contribution to the
defense of the nation. But what I have seen over
the last three decades is just an affirmation that the
work we do is so important in preserving the backbone and infrastructure of our nation.”
“Start at CGTC & Go Anywhere”
“We have a real belief that you can start at
Central Georgia Tech and go anywhere. Not only
are we preparing skilled laborers and professionals
who will go out and own businesses and be entrepreneurs, but we have seen our transfer division
pick up tremendously over the last decade or so,”
said Allen.
The transfer division is where the partnership
between the technical colleges and the four-year
universities can really make a difference. These
transfers allow for a seamless transition from technical college degree to four-year bachelor’s degree program. Students who may be getting an associate’s
degree in nursing to become a registered nurse, can
immediately transfer into a Bachelors of Science in
Nursing, which can open doors to become nurse
practitioners or other more specialized types of nurses, offering greater care and higher income.
“The healthcare shortage in our state is a real
bear. I am so proud of what we’re doing with our
nursing degrees, but we have to continue to find
pathways for radiologic technologies, surgical and
ultrasound technologies to have pathways to move
forward with our four-year partners to get those
skills and then turn it into a four year degree that’s
even more marketable.”
One of the hallmarks of Central Georgia Tech is
the work it does through the Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource (VECTR) Center,
the military and veteran support center. It opened
in 2016 and now serves over 70,000 individuals,
veterans and their family members and soldiers in
the armed services. The Center offers VA services,
counseling, academic service, placement service,
shadowing service and apprenticeship service.
“It is a one-stop shop for those who have decided and dedicated their lives to making our lives free.
I’m proud of what we do at that center,” said Allen.
Georgia is one of the top states in the country for
veteran or active-military residents. Offering these
kinds of services through the VECTR Center is not
only the right thing to do to honor their commitment
but without it, the state would be missing a huge
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