Bobby Brown, program chair for the Criminal Justice program, has been named Central Georgia Technical College’s 2105 Instructor of the Year. He received the local Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction to mark his accomplishment at the Honor’s Day ceremony Dec. 3.

Brown, who was nominated for this honor by his peers, was selected as the winner from a group of five finalists. A panel of community leaders interviewed the each finalist determine the College’s winner. Other finalists for the award were Kelly Sorenson, program chair for General Education; Dr. Morris Clarington, program chair for Health Sciences Core; Marilyn Norfleet, Adult Education; and Cassie Bridges, Business Administrative Technology.

Brown is passionate about teaching and especially technical education.

“Technical Education is the key to unlock the door necessary to save individual’s lives in the 21^st Century,” said Brown. “However, in order to unlock that door, educators in technical education must embrace the practice to never look down on our students unless we are helping them up!”

Brown began his career with the Technical College System of Georgia in 2007 as an adjunct instructor at South Georgia Technical College.  In 2008, he began working for Middle Georgia Technical College as an adjunct instructor for Criminal Justice and the Paralegal Studies departments. He moved into a full time instructor role, and after the merger of Middle Georgia Technical College and Central Georgia Technical College, he was named program chair for Criminal Justice Technology.

During his career at CGTC, Brown has been instrumental in building the high school dual enrollment Criminal Justice programs in the Houston and Pulaski counties school systems.  Under his leadership, the dual enrollment Criminal Justice program grew to one of the largest in Houston County.

Brown received his Bachelor of Arts in History and Master of Public Administration from Albany State University (ASU).  Upon graduating from ASU, he began working in Cleveland, Ohio, with the Cuyahoga County Department of Family and Children Services, where he was awarded the Child Advocate Award and received the Cornelius Community Service Award from Providence Baptist Church.

After graduating from Cleveland State University Law School, he worked with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office. While in Ohio, he also received a resolution from the 125th General Assembly of the Ohio House of Representatives and the American Bar Association’s CALI Award. Most recently, he was selected as one of ASU’s ’50 Under 50’ alumni honorees.

Brown is also an active member of his community.  He is a member of the Fred Douglas Masonic Lodge, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., serves on the Board of Directors for Life League, Inc., and attends Union Grove Baptist Church in Warner Robins. He is married to the former Lawanda Shelley. They have two daughters, Jamie and Asia, and three sons, Jeremy, Daniel, and Nicholas.

The Rick Perkins Award, formerly the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence, was named for the Late Rick Perkins after his untimely death. He was a commercial truck driving instructor at West Georgia Technical College.

Brown will now move on to the Central Region Rick Perkins Award competition to be held at Central Georgia Technical College in Macon in February. Three top candidates will be chosen from the Central Region, as well as three from each the North and South region, to interview at the state Rick Perkins Award competition. Brown, along with 23 other Rick Perkins award winners from technical colleges across Georgia will attend the state conference in Atlanta in April where region winners will be announced. The announcement of the state winner will be made at the Rick Perkins Award Banquet Thursday, April 23.

Spring semester begins January 6. Students can apply now and register for classes. For more information about Central Georgia Technical College, log on to www.centralgatech.edu.