Atlanta Tech's Rachel Young Honored as Finalist for the TCSG Student of the Year

ATLANTA, June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rachel Young, a student in the Electrical Construction and Maintenance Program at Atlanta Technical College, was chosen as one of nine finalists for the Technical College System of Georgia's 2011 Student of the Year award.  

The award is part of the system's annual Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) program, which recognizes the best student at each of the state's 26 technical colleges and one Board of Regents college with a technical division.

Young was recognized during a banquet honoring the system's top students and instructors at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Atlanta on May 26.

"There were more than 191,000 students who enrolled in the Technical College System of Georgia last year, so it's quite a remarkable accomplishment to be named a finalist for the Student of the Year award," said TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson. "Ms. Young excelled in the classroom and is a great role model in her community, and she worked very hard to earn her place as one of our finalists."

Judging for the award starts at each college then continues on to the regional level.  At the state level, the nine finalists are interviewed by a panel of judges representing business, industry and higher education in Georgia. At each step, the students are rated on their academic accomplishments, leadership qualities, involvement in their local communities, and future aspirations.

The competition for the award is intense, for not only is the winner named Georgia's technical college student of the year and ambassador for technical education, the winner also gets the keys to a brand-new Chevrolet Cruze, presented by Chevrolet and the local Chevrolet dealers, long-time sponsors of the GOAL program.

The winner of the TCSG Student of the Year award was Alvie Coes, III, a Funeral Service Education student at Ogeechee Technical College.

About the TCSG: The Technical College System of Georgia oversees 26 technical colleges throughout the state. Affordable access to quality technical education programs that lead to in-demand jobs is a big reason why enrollment at the TCSG colleges is up by almost one-third over last two years.

About Atlanta Technical College

Atlanta Technical College, a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, is located in the city of Atlanta, is an accredited institution of higher education that provides affordable lifelong learning opportunity, associate degree, diplomas, technical certificates of credit, customized business and industry training, continuing education and other learning services using state-of-the-art technology in more than 100 fields. The integration of academics and applied career preparation to enhance student learning is essential in meeting the workforce demands and economic development needs of the people, businesses, and communities of Fulton and Clayton counties.  For more information on Atlanta Technical College, visit www.atlantatech.edu.

Contact: Terreta Rodgers, 1-404-225-4604, [email protected]

SOURCE Atlanta Technical College