Albany Technical College’s Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner, Patrick Jenkins, andthe Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year, Charlene Duncan, participated in the South Region’s conference held on Thursday, March 24, at Altamaha Technical College in Jesup, Ga.

Jenkins, an environmental horticulture student at Albany Tech, was announced as Albany Tech’s GOAL winner at a Rotary luncheon held in February. He, along with one winner from each technical college in the state, will have an opportunity to go on to Atlanta to compete at the State GOAL competition on May 25-26, 2011. The state winner will be the official spokesperson for technical education in Georgia for 2011.

“I am honored to be chosen and plan to bring home the state award to Albany Tech,” said Jenkins.

Duncan, an early childhood care and education instructor at Albany Tech, was announced the Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year winner at a faculty meeting held on campus in February. She will also go on to compete at the state level in May.

“I am looking forward to the rest of the awards process and excited about meeting other faculty members from various technical colleges and sharing all of the great things that are happening here on our wonderful campus and within the Technical College System of Georgia,” said Duncan.

The GOAL program recognizes exceptional technical college students from across the state for their academic excellence and personal achievement. The program also spotlights the important role of technical training in our economy.

The Rick Perkins Award winner serves as an ambassador for technical education in Georgia. He or she will make many public appearances throughout the year including addresses to the Georgia General Assembly, the Governor and the Georgia Technical College System Leadership Conference.