Rashell Tanner, a Design Media and Production Technology student, has been named as the college’s winner of the 2024 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL). The announcement was made via Facebook Live by College President Dr. Jermaine Whirl.

Mrs. Tanner stated that she chose to attend Augusta Technical College because it is accessible and affordable and technical education gives students the opportunity to expedite their education so that they can enter the workforce and obtain in-demand, lucrative careers. After being selected, Mrs. Tanner stated, “I am honored to have been selected and I am eager to serve as a representative for my fellow technical college students. Technical college has changed my life and I know that with the instruction of my amazing teachers and staff at Augusta Technical College, I am truly on my way to success.”

After being selected, Mrs. Tanner thanked her competitors for the amazing competition, her nominating instructor, Sherrie Rowe for having faith and seeing the very best in her, Augusta Technical College for being an amazing institution, and her family for so much support over the past years.

Mrs. Tanner was chosen by a panel of local leaders over three other nominees for the award. The runners-up were Melvin (Chris) Fussell, Business Administration; Tommy Ingram, NCCER Electrical Systems Construction & Maintenance; and Tessa Kent, Accounting.

GOAL, a statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), honors excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students. Local GOAL winners are selected at each of the state’s 22 technical colleges.

“Mrs. Tanner’s story is the epitome of resilience and personal growth. Leading our student government association (SGA) and being active in a number of clubs and organizations, she truly embodies the definition of a GOAL Student,” stated College President Dr. Jermaine Whirl. “The Augusta Tech Community congratulates her on all of her successes and wishes her well as she prepares for the TCSG state competition.”

Mrs. Tanner will represent Augusta Technical College at the regional competition on March 4, 2024, at Central Georgia Technical College in Warner Robins. The nine regional finalists, three finalists from the three regions, will be announced at the GOAL conference at the Grand Hyatt in April 2024, and if selected, Mrs. Tanner will participate in the state competition at the conference. A panel of leaders from the business, industry and government sectors will interview them and choose one to be the 2024 State GOAL Winner, TCSG’s Student of the Year, and the recipient of the GOAL medallion.

The grand prize includes a brand-new car, courtesy of KIA, the statewide corporate sponsor of the GOAL program.