Colby Richardson, a Business Administration student at Augusta Technical College, has been named as the college’s winner of the 2023 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL). The announcement was made via Facebook Live by College President Dr. Jermaine Whirl on November 14, 2022.

Mr. Richardson chose to Attend Technical College because the college is close to home, the tuition is incredibly affordable, and the ability to transfer to a 4-year university. After being selected, Mr. Richardson stated, “I look forward to representing all students of the 22 technical colleges of Georgia. Technical education is often overlooked but has the potential to transform lives in a short period of time. I want to bring technical education to the forefront of students everywhere.”

After being selected, Mr. Richardson thanked his competitors for the amazing competition, his nominating instructor, Dr. Lillian Williams, for having faith and seeing the very best in him, Augusta Technical College for being an amazing institution, and his family for so much support over the past years.

Mr. Richardson was chosen by a panel of local leaders over three other nominees for the award. The runners-up were Amanda Hubbard, Business Healthcare Technology; Emily Pinto, Design & Media Production Technology; and Mary Thomas, Cosmetology.

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. 

In her nomination of Mr. Richardson, Psychology Instructor, Dr. Lillian Williams stated, “I can think of no one better to exemplify dedication, courage, and leadership while positively promoting technical education. When I look at what GOAL students symbolize and the kind of student they are looking for, there is only one name that comes to my mind: Colby Richardson...he is the best of the best.” 

"Augusta Technical College congratulates Mr. Colby Richardson as our 2022-2023 GOAL Student of the Year,” stated College President Dr. Jermaine Whirl. “Mr. Richardson exemplifies the values and characteristics of technical education, and I know he will represent us well in this year's competition.”

Mr. Richardson will represent Augusta Technical College at the regional competition on March 7, 2023, at Central Georgia Technical College in Warner Robins. The 9 regional finalists, 3 finalists from each region, will be announced at the GOAL conference at the Grand Hyatt in April 2023, and if selected, Mr. Richardson will participate in the state competition at the conference. A panel of leaders from the business, industry and government sectors will interview the finalists and choose one to be the 2023 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.