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NEWS AND NOTES

Augusta Technical College instructor named as a finalist for the Technical College System of Georgia’s 2012 Instructor of the Year

Kristie Searcy Finalist

Six technical college instructors were chosen from the top instructors from each of the state’s 25 technical colleges, and a Board of Regents college with a technical division. They were all competing for the Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction. The finalists and eventual state award winner were recognized during a banquet honoring the system’s top instructors and best students at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel on April 26.

"Their devotion to education and commitment to providing their students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their careers has earned each of these instructors the respect and appreciation of their colleagues from throughout the Technical College System of Georgia. I thank each of them for being such an outstanding representative of their college," said TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson.

The six finalists were:


  • Jean-Yves Vendeville, a culinary arts instructor from Savannah Technical College (state winner)

  • Kristie Searcy, a radiologic technology instructor from Augusta Technical College

  • Sharon Vaughan, a medical assisting instructor from Georgia Northwestern Technical College

  • Joyce Davis, an arts and sciences/learning support instructor from Oconee Fall Line Technical College

  • Cara Harrell, a general education – mathematics instructor from South Georgia Technical College

  • Lee Bradley, a computer information systems instructor from West Georgia Technical College

Judging for the Rick Perkins Award starts at each college and then continues on to the regional and state level, where the finalists are interviewed by a panel of judges representing business, industry and higher education in Georgia. The selection criteria include teaching experience and innovative learning techniques, leadership and community involvement, and a strong commitment to the technical education mission of the TCSG.

This year, more than instructors at 25 TCSG colleges will educate and train more than 191,000 students.