The 2016 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership winner for Albany Technical College was announced during the Albany Rotary Club lunch today by Interim Albany Area Chamber President, Barbara Rivera-Holmes. This year’s winner is Kozman Dwayne Barnum, Environmental Horticulture student.

During a banquet held in November, twelve nominees for GOAL were presented: Jeremy Baumgartel (Civil Engineering Technology); Kozman Barnum (Environmental Horticulture); Jameisha Copeland (Practical Nursing); Mary-Katherine Fowler (Dental Assisting); Wyllen Jackson (Pharmacy Technology); Evelyn Jenkins (Culinary Arts); Melinda Medley (Accounting Technology); Ndubuisi Okeze (Computer Support Specialist); Anissa Pait (Medical Assisting); Jill Peterson (Practical Nursing); Norman Stringer (Electronics Technology); and Brittani Whitehead (Medical Assisting).

The final six GOAL nominees that were interviewed by a panel comprised by the Albany Chamber of Commerce earlier this week included: Jeremy Baumgartel (Civil Engineering Technology); Kozman Barnum (Environmental Horticulture); Evelyn Jenkins (Culinary Arts); Jill Peterson (Practical Nursing); Norman Stringer (Electronics Technology); and Brittani Whitehead (Medical Assisting).

Barnum will have an opportunity to compete at the Regional Competition for GOAL, which will be held for the Southwest Georgia consortium on March 8, 2016, at Southern Regional Technical College’s Tifton campus. Then, he will move on to compete at the State GOAL competition to be held April 18-21 in Atlanta. The state winner is the official spokesperson for technical education in Georgia for 2016.

“It’s my goal to start my own landscaping business in Albany, Georgia, and utilize the skills and practices that I’ve learned through my course load,” said Barnum. “I want to work alongside city officials to redesign and help beautify the city that I call home.”

Barnum stressed in his speech how technical education is more personal and offers hands-on training. He said he knew that once he completed his degree that he would have the skills needed to succeed in his career.

“My education at Albany Technical College has impacted my life substantially,” said Barnum. “Although I’m still working towards my degree, I’ve been offered several jobs in and outside of my field of expertise. I chose to complete my education before taking a full-time job load, however, I know there are options available when I’m ready,” he added.

Working for iHeart Media, Barnum was named Radio Personality of the Year by Black Albany Magazine in 2013. He has also completed volunteer work as Concert Host for Albany State Rams in the Roses Campaign; float decorator in a winning float for Albany Tech in the 2015 Homecoming Parade for ASU; volunteer for Charity Carwash for Dougherty County Extreme; Volunteer, C-H-Y Foundation; Turkey Giveaway for the Steve Harvey Foundation; and Volunteer DJ services for local schools.