James_September-October_2026_web - Flipbook - Page 85
scholarships and financial assistance made possible through the
generosity of our donors and community partners. These scholarships help students who may not
qualify for traditional financial aid
or who need additional support to
cover tuition, books, tools, uniforms, certification exams, or other
educational expenses.
We are also working through
initiatives such as our NWGA Promise Scholarship program, in partnership with Dalton State College.
They are designed to reduce financial barriers. We know that even
relatively small financial barriers
can keep someone from achieving
their goals, so we are continually
seeking new ways to provide assistance where it is needed most.
Looking ahead, we are excited
about the opportunity to launch
the Workforce Pell Grant. Expanding Pell Grant eligibility to students
enrolled in high-skilled, short-term
workforce training programs means
more individuals will be able to
access the education, training, and
credentials needed for high-demand careers without the financial
burden that may have previously
prevented them from pursuing
those opportunities. When we
remove financial barriers, we are
not just investing in individual students; we are investing in stronger
families, a well-trained workforce,
and the long-term economic success of our region.
Can you talk about what it means
to be able to serve on the SACSCOC
(Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools Commission on Colleges) board?
Serving on the SACSCOC Board
is an honor. Accreditation for higher
education signifies quality, accountability, and an ongoing focus on
continuous improvement. Throughout my career, I’ve benefited from
the guidance and best practices
established through the accreditation process, and serving on the
Board allows me to contribute to
that important work while collaborating with educational leaders.
The experience also brings
tremendous value to Georgia
Northwestern Technical College.
It provides insight into emerging
trends, evolving standards, and innovative practices occurring across
higher education. Those perspectives help us continually evaluate
and strengthen our own institution
to better serve our students.
Ultimately, my service on the
SACSCOC Board reinforces the
values of the college such as integrity, quality, continuous improvement, and student success. It is an
opportunity to contribute to higher
education while bringing valuable
knowledge back to GNTC.
Is there anying else you would
like to bring up or talk about?
A recent, significant recognition
was Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s selection among
the nation’s top 200 institutions
eligible for the 2027 Aspen Prize
for Community College Excellence,
awarded by the Aspen Institute.
This recognition reinforces GNTC’s
focus on student success.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College has six campus locations and serves the nine counties
of northwest Georgia. Campuses
are located in Calhoun, Dalton,
Ringgold, Rock Spring, Rockmart,
and Rome. During academic year
2025, over 14,000 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and
noncredit programs. The college
had an annual credit enrollment
of 9,342 students and achieved a
100 percent job placement rate. An
additional 4,700 individuals were
served through adult education,
continuing education, and business
and industry training programs.
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