Education

B2B Stories

Medical illustration students learn how to sell themselves

Medical illustration students at Augusta University got a taste of what it is like for competitors on the “Shark Tank” television program. Amanda Behr, chair of the department in the College of Allied Health Sciences, wanted to find a way to help students step out of their comfort zone. She turned to Lynsey Steinberg, a licensed medical illustrator at AU who created the Innovate Competition. It breaks students into smaller groups to create presentations and then pitch them to a panel of judges. Behr came up with the idea of

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B2B Stories

Training to keep America’s supply chain rolling

One of the long-lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic was the disruption in shipments of goods and materials. Aiken Technical College is partnering with Ancora Training to offer a new CDL Class A tractor-trailer course. In addition to CDL driver training, Ancora offers training in healthcare, Internet technology, and business. It operates six private, post-secondary school brands with 22 campus locations. “Trucks are the backbone of America’s economy,” said Athena Freeman, director of the Office of Continuing Education at Aiken Tech. “Every year, trucks move nearly $800 billion in total

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B2B Stories

New crop of apprentices joining the Savannah River Site workforce

A training partnership between the Savannah River Site and Aiken Technical College has graduated its latest cohorts of students. The SRS Apprenticeship School involves three missions at the site, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC), and Savannah River National Laboratory. “The site is going through tremendous growth over the next five to 10 years and their workforce challenge is that a lot of their current employees have been out there for 40 years and are now retiring,” said Dr. Steven Simmons, dean of the School of

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B2B Stories

The impact of lifelong learning

Editor’s note: I’ve interviewed several of the CSRA’s brightest business leaders over the past couple of years, including Darin Myers and Kurt Mueller. Both have stated the importance of learning and further, learning something new every day. At a time when we are facing the largest segment of an aging population, their advice is relevant. Ida Crawford Stewart, a South Carolina native who grew up in Clinton, SC., served as the Vice President for Estee Lauder Cosmetic Company, died in March, she was 100 years old. She was more than

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B2B Stories

Latest report shows almost $3 billion impact from AU and AU Health

Augusta University, both the Health Sciences campus and the Summerville campus, are educating the workforce of the future while pumping millions into the state and local economies. The latest report by the University System of Georgia found Augusta University and AU Health, including the campus in Athens, are responsible for a $2.94 billion economic boost to the Georgia economy in 2022 and employed 21,250 people. Add to that, the $8.6 million and 69 jobs from campuses in Albany, Savannah, Brunswick, Rome, and Dalton. “Augusta University and AU Health are not

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B2B Stories

Large apprentice group will boost SRS workforce

More than 100 students will graduate today from the Nuclear Operator Apprenticeship Program. The course is a collaborative partnership between Aiken Tech, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC), and Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) to build the workforce pipeline for much-needed nuclear operators at SRS. The ceremony will include remarks from representatives from each program partner and the awarding of the Nuclear Fundamentals Certificate to each apprentice. The Nuclear Operator Apprenticeship Program began in the spring of 2020 and has seen significant growth, with this cohort

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B2B Stories

Bring ‘Old School’ and ‘New School’ together for business success

As many of you may know, today I am returning full-time to the classroom for the first time in seventeen years. The last time I taught a full teaching load was in Spring Semester 2006 at Kennesaw State University (KSU), when I was also asked to begin my administrative career as a department chair. During my time at KSU as an administrator, I continued to teach one or two courses per year, until I came to Augusta University (AU) as Dean in February 2017. Although I taught in an executive

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B2B Stories

Infusion of new health care workers in the CSRA

While the nursing industry continues to struggle nationwide to hire and retain personnel, other medical fields are also facing challenges. A ceremony at Aiken Technical College on Aug. 11 will provide a measure of relief. A pinning ceremony was held for 64 graduates of the college’s health science programs.  This cohort was for students in the expanded duty dental assisting, medical assisting, medical coding, and surgical technology programs. “We gather to celebrate not just your accomplishments graduates, but also the profound impact you’re poised to make in the fields of

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Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: The Ripple Effect: School choice, ratings and real estate

When someone decides to purchase a home, there are generally specific needs and principal requirements that narrow down the selection. One often underestimated element that holds the power to significantly impact property values and selection is school zoning. School choice and school ratings launch a profound influence on the lifestyle choice, purchase location and happiness of homeowners. In the ever changing real estate market, the concept of school choice has developed into a compelling force. Homebuyers are no longer merely checking off the wish list, they’re making choices that reflect

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B2B Stories

Cybersecurity and other programs to benefit from Metallica money

Editor’s note: Last week, ABD reported that heavy metal rockers Metallica would present $100,000 to Aiken Tech through their foundation. The college is one of 11 that will receive funding from the Metallica Scholarship Initiative, through the band’s charitable foundation, All Within My Hands. It is the first time a South Carolina college has been included. Dana Lynn McIntyre’s story takes a closer look at how the investment will benefit students and the workplace. Students and the CSRA workplace will be the beneficiaries after the internationally known heavy metal band,

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