Georgia Highlands College hosted a “Gratitude Event” with state legislators and members of the Board of Regents last week to show appreciation for the continued support of higher education in the state and the continued support GHC has received in helping students graduate with career-focused college degrees throughout northwest Georgia with little to no debt upon completion.
State higher education chairmen Senator Lindsey Tippins and Representative Chuck Martin were in attendance, including Representative Matthew Gambill and Representative Mitchell Scoggins.
Although unable to make it in person, Senator Bruce Thompson, Senator Chuck Hufstetler, and Representative Katie Dempsey all sent their support.
Also in attendance were members of the Board of Regents, Chairman Sachin Shailendra and Regent Lowery May, as well as the University System of Georgia’s Acting Chancellor Teresa MacCartney.
After a brief meet-and-greet, the group toured GHC’s STEAM building at the Cartersville site, which was led by GHC Student Government Association President Matthew Perry.
Classes started in the STEAM building in January 2019. Thanks to state funding under the fiscal year 2017 state budget, the addition of this building increased GHC’s ability to directly impact and support the community workforce through STEAM-based degrees (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math), adding to GHC’s nearly $170 million economic impact.
In speaking about the building, GHC’s Interim President Dana Nichols said, “I think what’s most important is what happens inside.”
“Every single day, the students inside buildings like this one are working toward completing a college degree with us,” she said. “Many are the first in their family to ever set foot on a college campus. Many work full-time jobs and have families to take care of. Many are right out of high school with career goals that will ultimately help our communities thrive.”
The tour of the STEAM building concluded in the learning lab designed for GHC’s newest bachelor’s degree for Building Information Modeling Management set to start classes Spring 2022. The BIMM lab features the latest technology in the BIMM field all contributed by GHC’s industry partners, like SDS2.
“Bringing a career-focused college degree that can be obtained with little to no debt upon completion to students throughout northwest Georgia who attend Georgia Highlands College would not be possible without your tireless support,” President Nichols said.
