Jacqueline Guzman, a student in Central Georgia Technical College’s Accelerating Opportunity program, has been selected as the 2016 EAGLE delegate for the College. EAGLE, or Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education, is the highest award an adult education student in Georgia can receive. Guzman was nominated for the award by her instructor, Jeremiah Johnson, and will represent CGTC in the statewide EAGLE competition in Atlanta in March.
 
“We are extremely proud of Ms. Guzman and her accomplishments throughout her time at CGTC,” said Brenda Brown, vice president for Adult Education at CGTC. “We have full confidence in her ability to represent the college well as an EAGLE delegate and to share the importance of adult education and the advantages of the Accelerating Opportunity program.”
 
Guzman, a resident of Perry, enrolled in the Adult Education program to help provide for her son and give him a firm foundation in education. She selected CGTC because of its location.
 
“By having a technical college in my community, I am able to take a short daily commute to achieve my goal,” said Guzman. “Once I enrolled in the GED® prep classes at CGTC, I realized the high quality of instruction I was receiving, so I was led to continue attending classes.”
 
Based on her abilities and aptitude, Guzman was selected to participate in the AO program. AO allows students to pursue both a GED® and a technical college credential simultaneously. She has already achieved her goal of earning her GED® and is continuing her education in Welding and Joining Technology at the College’s Warner Robins campus.
 
“My career goal is to gain employment locally as a welder after I earn my diploma,” said Guzman. “Through the AO program, I was able to get a head start on my diploma because I’ve been working on credits toward a technical certificate while working on my GED®.  I will be able to reach my goal much sooner.”
 
Guzman was selected as the CGTC EAGLE delegate from a group of Adult Education students from across the CGTC service delivery area. Other nominees and their nominating instructors include Destinee Adside from Monroe County, nominated by Lisa Lee; Marvin Barnes from Dooly County, nominated by Ethel Ross; Tabitha Gutierrez from Houston County, nominated by LaShan Cooper-Davis; Bobbie Leigh Hamm from Jones County, nominated by Marilyn Norfleet; and Oshae Cotton from Bibb County, nominated by Lisa Dennis. Cotton was selected as the EAGLE delegate runner-up.
 
As the College’s EAGLE delegate, Guzman will travel to Atlanta in March for the EAGLE Leadership Institute. The Leadership Institute recognizes and honors those students who have demonstrated superior achievement in adult education classes and programs from across the state. EAGLE is the first statewide program in the nation that recognizes and rewards excellence among students enrolled in adult education programs. It is designed to create a greater awareness of educational opportunities available locally and across the state and to foster greater involvement in lifelong learning pursuits.