Central Georgia Technical College recently held a ceremony recognizing the students in the College's REACH program.  REACH, Raising Expectations of Achievement, focuses on students in learning support courses. The target population are African American male students between the ages of 18 and 24 who are entering college for the first time. The program provides faculty mentors who build a relationship with the students and act as a guide for them through their college experience. REACH students meet twice monthly for lunch and valuable messages from community guest speakers on a variety of topics including professional image, self-confidence, study skills, and time management.

“This event was a recognition of the persistence of those REACH students nearing the end of the semester.  Despite the numerous reasons that may cause students to abandon their college goals, students in the REACH program were able to continue,” said Talentha Hollis, REACH program coordinator. “The skills and techniques they've learned in the past year as a part of REACH will enable them to continue beyond learning support courses and into their occupational programs.” 

The guest speaker during the spring semester ceremony was Ron Rogers, Captain with the Bibb County School District Police Department. He serves as the Support Services Commander who oversees the Crisis Response Unit, Communication Unit, Records Unit, K-9 Unit, Investigations Units and the District’s Hall Monitors. Rogers holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Criminal Justice from Fort Valley State College and a Master of Science in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University. As a young man growing up on the troubled south side of Chicago, Ill., he began a path filled with wrong choices. Rogers became a leader in the Gangster Disciples.  Through a police officer mentor and family support, he was able to succeed in academics and became a police officer.

The REACH students received a certificate of recognition for their participation in the REACH program. The students were Daryl Thomas, a Business Management student from Macon; Javandon Shropshire, an Electrical Systems Technology student from Dry Branch; Adonis Hill, a Business Management student from Macon; Rashard Little, a Business Administrative Technology student from Dry Branch; Omar King, a Criminal Justice Technology student from Macon; Dieze Strong, a Business Management student from Macon; Ryan White, a Business Administrative Technology student from Macon; James Butler, a Pharmacy Technology student from Macon; Prentis Braswell, a Criminal Justice Technology student from Macon; Alexander Culler, a Biotechnology student from Macon; Brandon Oliver, a Technical Studies student from Macon; and Quinton Smith, a Computer Programming student from Macon.

To learn more about REACH and other programs available at CGTC, visit www.centralgatech.edu. Summer semester begins May 19.