Georgia Highlands College kicked off another academic year by honoring its faculty and staff from each of its campuses for the 2016-2017 academic year at its annual in-service meeting.

GHC also welcomed 16 new full-time faculty from varying educational experiences and backgrounds.

The 2016-2017 awards and recipients were:

Outstanding Administrator Award — Jennifer Hicks

This award is designed for administrators who consistently project a positive image and who serve the college above and beyond the call of duty. This award recognizes an administrator who actively contributes to the success of the college and his or her staff. Hicks is the director of academic success.

Vivian Benton Award — Xinia Smith-Camacho

This award is designed for staff members who consistently project a positive image and who serve the college above and beyond the call of duty. This award recognizes a staff member who actively contributes to the success of the college. Smith-Camacho is a financial services accountant.

Community Involvement Award — Jason Christian (Faculty), Seth Ingram (Staff)

This award is designed to recognize individuals who significantly impact our community. This award recognizes a faculty/staff member who demonstrates a passion for making a difference by sharing their spirit, positive attitude and time with others. Christian is a biology instructor. Ingram is an ITS regional operations manager.

Employee of the Year – Andrea Mathis

This award is designed to recognize individuals who consistently support the mission and goals of the institution by routinely demonstrating our shared values and supports an environment of excellence. Mathis is a client support specialist. 

Department of the Year — Division of Natural Science & Physical Education

This award is designed to recognize the department which consistently supports the mission and goals of the institution by routinely demonstrating our shared values and supports and supports an environment of excellence.

New full-time faculty include:

Zarle Williams is a graduate of Georgia State University and Vermont College, where he earned his master’s in English and master’s in writing respectively. He joins GHC as an instructor of English at the Marietta location.

Zachary Johnston earned his master’s in mathematics from the University of West Georgia. He joins GHC as an instructor of math at the Paulding location.

James Cady will be an instructor of history at the Cartersville location. He received his master’s for teachers in history from Indiana University.

Ki Song holds a master’s in secondary mathematics education and a specialist degree in secondary mathematics education from Kennesaw State University. Song joins GHC as an instructor of math at the Cartersville location.

Tracy Knight is an instructor of math at the Cartersville location. Knight earned a master’s in mathematics from Nova Southeastern University.

Kamisha DeCoudreaux holds a master’s in mathematics from the University of Texas, and will join GHC as an instructor of math at the Douglasville location.

Venkata Chaganti joins GHC as an instructor of physics at the Marietta location. Chaganti earned a doctorate in physics from Georgia State University.

Banhi Nandi will be at the Cartersville location as an instructor of biology. Nandi holds a master’s in teaching secondary biology from Mercer Univeristy and a master’s in zoology from Kalyani University in India.

Thomas Earp earned a master’s in communication from the University of South Florida. Earp will be an instructor of communication at the Floyd location.

Brandy Rogers earned a master’s in integrative biology from Kennesaw State University, and will be an instructor of biology at the Cartersville location.

Erica Simpson is an assistant professor of communication at the Floyd location. Simpson holds a master’s in communication from Ball State University.

Danny Bellinger will be an instructor of English at the Paulding location. Bellinger earned a master’s in writing from Goddard College.

Julia Reidy earned a master’s in professional writing from Kennesaw State University. Reidy will be an instructor of English at the Cartersville location.

Jocelyn Steward is an assistant professor of healthcare management at the Floyd location. Steward earned a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Alabama.

Amanda McFarland joins GHC as an instructor of dental hygiene at Heritage Hall. McFarland holds a master’s of health science from Nova Southeastern University.

Kristin Baumann is an instructor of dental hygiene at Heritage Hall. Baumann earned a master’s in public health from Augusta University.

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