Georgia Highlands College kicked off another academic year by honoring its faculty and staff from each of its locations for the 2017-2018 academic year at its annual in-service meeting.

GHC also welcomed 14 new full-time faculty from varying educational experiences and backgrounds.

The 2017-2018 awards and recipients were:

Outstanding Administrator Award — Julia Areh

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. Areh is the site director for Douglasville.

Vivian Benton Award — Katie Bridges

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. Bridges is an instructional designer.

Community Involvement Award — Paula Stover, Donna Miller

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. Stover is an assistant professor in Health Sciences. Donna Miller is the director of dental hygiene.

Employee of the Year – Karen Yerkes

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. Yerkes is an administrative assistant at the Cartersville location.

Department of the Year — Human Resources

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:

Erna Anderson holds a master’s degree in systems engineering from George Mason University and joins GHC as an instructor of mathematics.

Mahirah Baker holds a master’s degree in pharmacology and toxicology from Michigan State University and joins GHC as an instructor of biology.

Marc Dawson holds a master’s degree in creative writing from National University and joins GHC as an instructor of English.

Marlene Goodrum holds a master’s degree in mathematics from Kennesaw State University and joins GHC as an instructor of mathematics.

Charles Grimm holds a doctorate in English rhetoric and composition from Georgia State University and joins GHC as an instructor of English.

Lisbeth Hyde holds a master’s degree in nursing education from Western Governors University and joins GHC as an instructor of nursing education.

Lucinda Montgomery holds a master’s degree in logistics and supply chain management and joins GHC as an assistant professor of logistics and supply chain management.

Mesrop Najarian holds a master’s degree in English literature from the University of Oxford and joins GHC as an instructor of English.

Ejiroghene Ogaga holds a master’s degree in biology from Georgia State University and joins GHC as an instructor of biology.

Shannan Rivera holds a master’s degree in professional writing from Kennesaw State University and joins GHC as an instructor of English.

Matthew Summerlin holds a doctorate in medicinal chemistry and pharmacognosy from the University of Illinois at Chicago and joins GHC as an instructor of chemistry.

Tara Suswal holds a master’s degree in secondary mathematics from Kennesaw State University and joins GHC as an instructor of mathematics.

Shanika Wright Turner holds a master’s degree in business administration from the Florida Institute of Technology and joins GHC as assistant professor of business administration.

Sean Zearfoss holds a master’s degree from Kennesaw State University and joins GHC as an instructor of English.