2024 OTC GOAL Award winner is Early Childhood Education student Ashley Ford

Ashley Ford received the 2024 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership at Ogeechee Technical College at Monday evening’s annual reception. The GOAL program has honored the academic success and personal achievement of technical students for over 50 years, celebrating the vital impact that technical education has on the prosperity of the state of Georgia.

Every year, the competition begins in the fall semester with instructors nominating their most promising students, who then go through an interview selection process where a winner is chosen by a screening committee.

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This year’s finalists were honored along with their nominating instructors, in front of other nominees, family and friends at a dinner banquet in the Jack Hill building. OTC President Lori Durden announced the runner up, Samantha Hanovich, and the winner, Ashley Ford. The director of Ford’s Early Childhood Care & Education program, Paula Clifton, was recognized during the ceremony as well, receiving the Nominating Instructors Award from the Dean of Academic Affairs, Leanne Robinson.

Robinson said, “GOAL would not be possible without nominating instructors,” giving their time and knowledge to students.

Ford will now go on to represent OTC at the GOAL regional competition. Nine semi-finalists from across the Technical College System of Georgia’s three regions will be chosen to compete at the statewide competition in Atlanta, Georgia. The statewide winner will receive a new vehicle and will represent the state of Georgia as an ambassador of technical education.

The GOAL program helps technical students get connected to local businesses and strengthens the relationships of colleges and the community workforce. At the banquet, the finalist had a chance to speak about how being a part of the GOAL program as an OTC student has impacted each of their lives.

Finalist Speeches

Kaytlyn Colson is a cybersecurity student who returned to OTC after graduating and working as a dental assistant for six years. Colson spoke fondly of the friends and instructors that she has met at OTC and her excitement about her future in the expanding cybersecurity industry.

“I now have the itch to continue to learn and grow,” she said, “When faced with the opportunity to go back to school I knew I would be a fool not to go to OTC.”

Ford, this years winner, recounted the tragic story of her mother’s passing at just 54 years-old. She praised her aunt Tess who helped her family through the grief, but also unfortunately passed after falling ill with COVID. Ford’s journey with the OTC Early Childhood Care and Development program began as a way for her to turn over a new leaf and begin a happier path in her life. She says there is no one happier than a child.

Throughout her emotional speech, Ford said she was thankful for the opportunity that she has found at OTC.

“Technical college provides job training but also helps with job placement,” she said, ”If my Mom were here today she would say to me ‘Girl you got this’.”

Kaitlin Hankinson, a mother and full-time worker, is a paramedicine student following similar footsteps to her mother who attended OTC’s nursing program.

“We have a hands on program,” said Hankinson, “The teachers are very personable and you can go to them anytime you need them.”

Samantha Hanovich is also a mother, wife, and member of the National Guard. She spoke about her passion for the Fish and Wildlife Management program, and her proud achievement of a 4.0 GPA.

“These lessons I have learned go beyond the uniform,” she said, describing how her experiences have helped shape her in student life and motherhood. Hanovich praised the small class sizes at her technical college saying, “I had the chance to be a big fish in a small pond.”

Special Guest Remarks

“I can't believe it's already been a year, man time flies,” said Justin Clenny the 2023 OTC GOAL winner, during the ceremony. “You will have the privilege of working with some very talented leaders here at OTC,” he said, praising his instructors, “You will not find a better group of supporters than here at OTC.”

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about this statewide program,” said the Coordinator of the OTC GOAL program Sarah Beverly, also thanking the judging committee of the selection process.

Durden thanked Beverly for her hard work and proudly told attendees how OTC has produced three statewide GOAL winners in the last 15 years. “I think it speak volumes about the quality of our faculty and staff,” she said.

Durden spoke of her love for celebrating the successes of her students, thanking the finalists for sharing their stories. “We are all so proud of you,” she said.

Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, Christy Rikard, gave special thanks to the Ogeechee Technical College Foundation, the Student Leadership Council and everyone that was involved in the program this year.