Atlanta, GA - South Georgia Technical College Adult Education representative Minh Duc Nguyen of Leslie and 25 other adult learners from across Georgia were recognized and honored at the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) 27th annual Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) conference.
The South Georgia Technical College Adult Education program was also singled out for two different awards at the EAGLE conference. SGTC President Dr. John Watford and Dean of Adult Education Lillie Ann Winn accepted awards for the Greatest Percentage Growth in NRS Enrollment and the Greatest High School Equivalency Completion Percentage for the SGTC Adult Education program. Both of these awards were in the small program division.
Hannah Hadley, a delegate from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College was selected as TCSG’s 2020 adult education student of the year at the conference. TCSG State Board Chairman, Doug Carter, and TCSG Assistant Commissioner for Adult Education Dr. Cayanna Good, presented the awards during the event at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel recently.
“The 26 students that we are celebrating are a testament to the transformative power that adult education has on thousands of lives in Georgia,” said TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier. “Through hard work and determination, our 2020 EAGLE winners are improving their lives and making a lasting impact in their communities.”
More than 400 guests applauded the students for overcoming obstacles that once stood in the way of their education and then excelling in the classroom while preparing for their GED credentials. “Our EAGLE students are some of the most inspiring people I have ever met in my life,” said Dr. Cayanna Good. “When I hear their personal stories and the challenges many of them overcame to get where they are today, it’s a reminder of what’s possible when we come together to assist students in reaching extraordinary heights.”
South Georgia Technical College’s EAGLE student, Minh Duc Nguyen, was one of the students who had to overcome obstacles in order to earn his GED. He was born in Vietnam and currently lives in Leslie, GA with his wife, Yen Le. They have two grown children, a daughter, Minh Ngoc Le Nguyen, and a son, Minh Duc LeNguyen. The 56-year old immigrant said it was his parents’ dream for him to study in America, however, they did not have the resources to send him abroad.
As an adult, Minh had the same dream for his children and 15 years ago, he immigrated to the United States with his family. His children went on to graduate from prestigious universities and find great jobs. Then Minh had the opportunity to focus on his education.
He dually enrolled in South Georgia Technical College classes while pursuing his GED diploma. He was able to strengthen his language skills, become more familiar with American culture and learn skills what would be helpful in college and in business.
“As an immigrant who arrived in this country much later in life, learning English as a second language has been challenging,” shared Minh. Through the Adult Education program, he has greatly improved his English speaking abilities and obtained his GED. He is currently pursuing an Associate degree in Electrical Technology at SGTC.
In order to be selected as the EAGLE student, students must have graduated with their GED in the past fiscal year and have proof that they are pursuing their education in a field that is supported by the Technical College System of Georgia.
Nearly 48,000 men and women took part in Georgia’s adult education programs last year. Each March, the local EAGLE winners are the guests of a three-day conference in Atlanta that ends with a lunch banquet in their honor.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford is shown above (l to r) with SGTC Dean of Adult Education Lillie Ann Winn and TCSG Assistant Commissioner for Adult Education Dr. Cayanna Good, as they accepted the awards for the SGTC Adult Education program.