Instructors at Augusta Technical College have nominated 27 of their students for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), according to John Richardson, coordinator for the college's GOAL program.

GOAL, a statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia, honors excellence in academics and leadership among the state's technical college students. GOAL winners are selected at each of the state's 33 technical colleges as well as the four board of Regents colleges with technical divisions.

GOAL winners from each campus will compete in Atlanta in May and one will be named as the statewide GOAL winner.

Chosen for recognition by their instructors are:

Samantha Beckword, Dental Assisting, nominated by Dr. Marilyn Willis
Anthony Bell, Chemical Operations, nominated by Dr. Marilyn Willis
Bonnie Buff, Dental Assisting, nominated by Beverly Dalber
Brittany Corcoran, Dental Assisting, nominated by Dr. Marilyn Willis
Laura Ferguson, Occupational Therapy, nominated by Cindy Loar
Shanauieya Glover, Culinary Arts, nominated by Deborah Moreno
Marcia Harden, Practical Nursing, nominated by Denise Fowler
Charlene Hardy, Occupational Therapy, nominated by Cindy Loar
Warren Jackson, Marketing Management, nominated by Kevin Ward
Charity Jenkins, Respiratory Therapy, nominated by Darrell McDaniel
Noah Jimerson, Marketing Management, nominated by Kevin Ward
Amanda Jones, Health Care Assistant, nominated by Dr. Marilyn Willis
Waymond Leverett, Marketing Management, nominated by Kevin Ward
Joseph McRoy, Industrial Systems, nominated by Julio Arrieta
Rhonda Loring, Pharmacy Tech, nominated by Bob Peek
Angela McGahee, Practical Nursing, Linda Jung
Shabazz McKenzie, Cosmetology, nominated by Linda Walker
Michelle Merrittt, Health Care Assistant, nominated by Dr. Marilyn Willis
Christa Peckham, Medical Assisting, nominated by Dr. Marilyn Willis
Amy Scarbrough, Culinary Arts, nominated by Kathleen Fervan
Wendy Striggles, Accounting, Johnica Mitchell
Darrell Tolliver, Electronics Technology, Arthur Brengettsy
Jason Trefil, AAS-Technical Studies, Andrew Jefferson
Denise Washington, Barbering, Vernon Wright
Hannah Vargas, Respiratory Therapy, Rita Waller
Martha Williams, Occupational Therapy, Cindy Loar
Katie Willis, Occupational Therapy, Cindy Loar

A screening committee at Augusta Tech will review each of the instructor's nominations then conduct personal interviews with the students. Finalists will then be chosen to compete to be the college's GOAL winner for 2008.

The college's GOAL winner will move on to the competition for the state GOAL award and selection as the Technical College System of Georgia's 2008 student of the year.

The title of the state GOAL winner also earns the student the important responsibility of traveling the state as the ambassador for the entire technical college system. To make that travel easier, the winner also receives a new car.