Georgia Highlands College has announced students named to the summer 2020 President’s List and Dean’s List. To achieve President’s List status, students must earn a 4.0 grade point average and attain a minimum of nine semester hours of credit. To make Dean’s List students, must complete a minimum of nine semester hours and achieve at least a 3.5 average.

The following students were named to the President’s List (by state and county):

AL-CHEROKEE

Bailee Kerr, Piedmont

GA-BARTOW

Pamela Blevins, Cartersville

Michael Bonds, Rockmart

Jacqueline Caban, Cartersville

Graham Cargle, Kingston

Heather Cramer, Cartersville

Katrena Ellington, Cartersville

Daniel Fabry, Cartersville

Courtney Godfrey, Rome

Stephen Harmon, Cartersville

Kelsey Marsh, Cartersville

Leila McClellan-Karp, White

Angela Mejia Alzate, Cartersville

Shelina Munoz, Cartersville

GA-CARROLL

Ryanne Thomas, Carrollton

GA-CHATTOOGA

Devin Baker, Trion

Ashley Duran, Summerville

Levi Thomas, Trion

GA-CHEROKEE

Jackie Croft, Canton

Edwin Hammond, Acworth

Catherine Illies, Woodstock

Haley Prouty, Acworth

Nicole Royal, Acworth

Kathryn Shortell, Canton

Emily Sowell, Canton

GA-COBB

Nickolas Algarin, Acworth

Ana Luiza Amorim, Marietta

Aleksandra Arana, Kennesaw

Joshua Cherenfant, Powder Springs

Turner Eckford, Marietta

Krystal Ellis, Acworth

Joshua Ezenweani, Marietta

Jacari Gill, Mableton

Kyle Goldstein, Marietta

Jamie Greenfield, Marietta

Megan Harris, Kennesaw

Madisyn Kendall, Kennesaw

Dominic Macjack, Marietta

Carolina Martinez, Marietta

Jennifer Mendoza, Kennesaw

Chinelo Nwokike, Smyrna

Vanessa Resendiz, Marietta

Jacqueline Rodriguez Orozco, Marietta

Meghan Roman, Marietta

Michelle Strozier, Smyrna

Taitt Vosatka, Acworth

Allison Zoutendijk, Marietta

GA-DOUGLAS

Bailey Bolton, Douglasville

Bailey Donehoo, Douglasville

Stephanie McGee, Douglasville

Diandra Sims, Douglasville

GA-FLOYD

Eli Brock, Armuchee

Marvin Domingo, Rome

Anna Harper, Rome

Jeffery Jones, Armuchee

Heather Keeney, Cave Spring

Nancy Keeney, Cave Spring

Rachael Keeney, Cave Spring

Ryan Keeney, Cave Spring

Noora Khateeb Jabara, Rome

Trent Mull, Rome

Heema Patel, Rome

Audrey Silvey, Rome

Alonna Sparks, Rome

Fabiana Tomas, Rome

Macy Wallace, Silver Creek

Marah Warren, Aragon

GA-FORSYTH

Elaina Benitez, Cumming

Dania Hamouda, Cumming

Kamerin Littlefield, Cumming

Alicia Mims, Cumming

GA-FULTON

Mary Karamarkovich, Alpharetta

Jeffrey Kern, Roswell

Abigail Williamson, Atlanta

GA-GORDON

Hannah Arthur, Fairmount

Joria Brooks, Calhoun

Cory Lewis, Calhoun

Maria Palmerin Palmerin, Calhoun

Zachary Rush, Calhoun

GA-GWINNETT

Emily Blaze, Lawrenceville

Jenna Hobbs, Norcross

GA-HALL

Barbie Casey, Flowery Branch

Natalie Jones, Flowery Branch

GA-HARALSON

Natasha Holloway, Tallapoosa

GA-HARRIS

Roger Carroll, Pine Mountain

GA-JACKSON

Angelique Mills, Hoschton

GA-PAULDING

April Anderson, Hiram

Gregory Chenoweth, Dallas

Kendyl Dunn, Dallas

Kaylee Gardner, Dallas

Ashley-Savannah Hunter, Dallas

Ashley Kenyon, Dallas

Kayla McDonald, Dallas

Hillary Moore, Dallas

Joshua Pitts, Dallas

Kymberly Postell, Acworth

Jose Romero, Kennesaw

Alexis Shepard, Acworth

Donna Tempelman, Dallas

GA-PICKENS

Lisa Donohue, Jasper

GA-POLK

Guillermo Aguilar, Cedartown

Jennifer Crawford, Cedartown

Kayla Legg, Rockmart

Kristi Medley, Rockmart

Kristen Phillips, Cedartown

Emma Sheffield, Cedartown

Thomas Vaughn, Cedartown

GA-TIFT

Megan Tawzer, Tifton

GA-WHITFIELD

Diana Landaverde, Dalton

Andrea Plaza, Dalton

The following students were named to the Dean’s List (by state and county):

AL-LEE

Maya King, Phenix City

FL-BROWARD

Matthew Singleton, Pompano Beach

GA-BARTOW

Jacob Barnette, Cartersville

Carrie Brooks, Rydal

Natalie Burrow, White

Sara Daniels, Cartersville

Destiny Dial, Adairsville

DeNisha Durham, Cartersville

Christian Gardner, White

Rachael Gatien, Acworth

Jocelyn Gervacio Barajas, Cartersville

Abby Gunnels, Adairsville

Ethan Jones, Cartersville

Laurie Logan, Cartersville

Jordan Mullins, Adairsville

Hannah New, Adairsville

Jenna Patterson, Cartersville

Sophia Soto, Kingston

Ollie Springfield, Cartersville

Victoria Stafford, Cartersville

Jeremy Thomas, Adairsville

Zackary Vandenburg, Euharlee

Kaitlin Walker, Cartersville

Andrea Wesley, Adairsville

Madison Whitmore, Adairsville

GA-CHEROKEE

Amanda Banker, Canton

Nora Berry, Acworth

Nancy Chiuri, Woodstock

Julie Gooch, Acworth

Lisa Hallmark, Canton

Sharon Hostler, Woodstock

Leah Waagen, Canton

GA-CLAYTON

Aniya Jackson, Riverdale

GA-COBB

James Alexander, Marietta

Anah Brown, Austell

Karla Camacho, Marietta

Aislyn Carter, Powder Springs

Alice Darko, Austell

Priya Dey, Kennesaw

Ashley Diemer, Kennesaw

Katherine Eiseman, Marietta

Rosemary Guilford, Marietta

Manoucheca Jean, Powder Springs

Ansley Magee, Acworth

Lacey Miller, Kennesaw

Jeffrey Romero, Kennesaw

Kellie Shirie, Marietta

Camelia Singh, Powder Springs

Zonesla Ward, Powder Springs

Zachariah Watson, Acworth

Rachel Werts, Marietta

Blake Wilson, Marietta

Breana Wisniewski, Kennesaw

GA-DEKALB

Corrie Camden, Decatur

GA-DOUGLAS

Dana Bonner, Lithia Springs

Jerney Jackson, Douglasville

Shachia Jones, Douglasville

Nyah Patterson, Lithia Springs

Megan Rose, Douglasville

Kamraun Sorhaindo, Douglasville

Shakira Tennyson, Douglasville

GA-FLOYD

Yajaira Aguilar, Rome

Griffin Brewster, Rome

Kaylen Brown, Rome

Yadira Chavez-Alvarez, Rome

Deborah Dobbins, Rome

Michelle Douglas, Rome

Grayson Grimes, Rome

David Legg, Silver Creek

Ojilvia Lom, Rome

Ashley Manley, Rome

Amber Munday, Rome

Aneri Patel, Rome

Hannah Paul, Rome

Michael Peters, Rome

Casey Roberts, Silver Creek

Courtney Sabino, Rome

Joseph Wilson, Rome

Christy Yoder, Cave Spring

GA-FULTON

Griffin Brown, Atlanta

Marlowe Mitchell, Atlanta

GA-GORDON

Dawson Hendrix, Fairmount

Keifer Stroup, Adairsville

GA-HARALSON

Georgia Steele, Felton

GA-PAULDING

Nicole Corrao, Acworth

Nicole Echols, Dallas

Hailey Ethridge, Dallas

Kiley Freeman, Dallas

Zachary George, Dallas

Shelby Glosson, Dallas

Brooke Haney, Dallas

Lakeshia Pendleton, Dallas

Rose Rodriguez, Dallas

Brittany Skeen, Dallas

Xiao Yun Smith, Dallas

Kari Soeder, Hiram

Vy Tran, Dallas

Alonzo Wallace, Dallas

GA-PICKENS

Tamra Watkins, Jasper

GA-PIKE

Breanna Normandy, Williamson

GA-POLK

Collin Coleman, Cedartown

Colton Evans, Cedartown

Amanda Harris, Rockmart

Audrey McFall, Cedartown

Kimberly Sanchez, Cedartown

Johana Segura- Torres, Cedartown

Rachael Self, Cedartown

Georgia Highlands College has announced it will transition from housing Divisions to housing Schools this fall semester, allowing for more rapid and innovative curriculum design that meets workforce needs and prepares students for continuing their studies even into graduate school.

This announcement comes on the heels of several new programs that started this fall at GHC, including pathways in sports management, film production, graphic design, and a new bachelor’s in health science.

As of fall semester, GHC will oversee five schools: School of Business and Professional Studies, School of Health Sciences, School of Humanities, School of Social Sciences and Education and School of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

“The realignment of academic disciplines that came with the move from Divisions to Schools provides for greater opportunities to spread ideas and increase undergraduate research possibilities,” Chief Academic Officer Dana Nichols said.

Nichols said an academic School represents a grouping of related academic disciplines with dean-level leadership dedicated to constantly advancing instruction and high-impact practices. This transition, Nichols said, will better impact a student’s experience at GHC by allowing deans to have a more targeted focus.

For instance, bringing multiple Divisions together into the School of STEM under one dean allows for multidisciplinary studies and research that previously wouldn’t have been as easy to organize.

“When I arrived at GHC in 2018, Academic Affairs was organized into five large teaching Divisions with deans but no Division Chairs,” Nichols said, adding that in this situation the deans had to focus on scheduling and other operations rather than specifically targeting curriculum innovation and practices.

Division Chairs were put into place on Aug. 1, 2019 and have been highly effective in their roles, Nichols said, and getting the Division Chairs in place and trained was the first step toward the establishing of Schools.

“Now, the Division Chairs can assume some of the critical operational functions, such as scheduling, and free the deans up to focus on the big picture and long-term goals for their areas,” Nichols said. “Regardless of what labels we use, GHC has always provided – and will continue to provide – top-notch education at an affordable price.”

For more information about GHC, please visit highlands.edu

With the start of fall classes, Georgia Highlands College has launched a new “Virtual Hub” for student services at virtualservices.highlands.edu

The new online hub allows students to video chat and connect with specialists in Enrollment Management, Financial Aid, Admissions, Advising, Business Office and Student Support Services such as counseling, disability services, and WIOA.

GHC’s Cartersville Campus Dean Leslie Johnson stated the new hub will better accommodate students by expanding online resources and helping students get answers quickly to the questions they may have.

“Since all of these services can be accessed at the same link, it is like a one-stop shop for student service questions,” Johnson added. “It actually functions like the physical HUBs located at each of our institution sites.”

The college’s Advising department used a similar virtual platform during the last several months to help students register for classes, and the success of that platform quickly led to several departments joining together to provide nearly all GHC’s student services in the new “Virtual HUB.”

“GHC is always open to serving our students in new ways. For example, our library offers online library assistance, our Information Technology office has a virtual help desk and our tutors can connect with students utilizing online tutorial services,” Johnson said. “Some individual departments also have some unique online options to help students and many of our faculty regularly meet with students in a virtual format.”

Students can click the “Virtual HUB” logo on various pages at highlands.edu to connect or they can scan the QR Code on any posters on campus advertising the HUB with their smart phone or tablet to get started.

Additionally, the new HUB can be accessed by logging in directly via Zoom at ghcvirtualhub.highlands.edu

Users will connect to a virtual waiting room where they will be greeted by a host ready to assist with any questions.

The HUB’s hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 9AM to 3PM and Fridays from 9AM to 12PM. In addition, extended advising services are available Thursdays from 3PM to 6PM.

To learn about additional Virtual Services offered at GHC, go to the Virtual Services website at virtualservices.highlands.edu

As students prepare to head back to campus, Georgia Highlands College’s library system is hard at work to provide additional resources to help enhance the numerous education options being offered.

GHC will have in-person, remote, and hybrid options available for classes this fall, and students who want to start may still apply by August 14 for fall classes.

One area in particular that GHC’s libraries will be utilizing this fall is computer technology, which is expected to see an uptick in use as students engage in the wide-ranging class formats.

“It has always been deeply engrained in the field of library and information science to provide tools, knowledge and technology to support student learning in all modalities,” Dean of Libraries and College Testing Julius Fleschner said. “At GHC, the libraries have paid a great deal of attention to our physical layout to make it as conducive to student learning as possible.”

Fleschner explained that in addition to the well-known resources provided by GHC’s libraries, such as books or periodicals, access to computers and laptop rentals will help students this semester have the tools they need for a successful semester at GHC.

Beyond expanding resources, the libraries are also implementing safety measures for the fall semester, including a new “Grab and Go” system.

“Students will use our Grab and Go system to request books. Essentially, they will make a digital request and we will have it processed for them to pick up in a couple days,” Fleschner said. “Students can also request research help via library chat on our website or in a D2L discussion forum. To help educate our community about these changes, a video tutorial will be emailed out to all students and GHC employees.”

Fleschner said the libraries’ efforts have been very successful and have resulted in more engagement from students and faculty thanks to resources such as Kanopy, an on-demand video streaming service.

“One great thing that happened since the rapid shift to remote instruction is that our online resources have seen an increase in usage,” Fleschner said.

“All of this work could not happen without dedicated individuals in the libraries. Everyone has taken this moment as an opportunity to rethink what we do, how we do it, and why it gets done,” Fleschner said. “This has led us to develop new and innovative tools to reach our patrons.”

Students can learn more about the library services by visiting “My GHC Library” in D2L. For more information on GHC’s return to campus this fall, please visit chargeahead.highlands.edu

Although Georgia Highlands College has long been known for its value, the college was recently ranked by several national outlets for its affordability, accessibility and the quality of its programs. And students looking to start this fall still have time if they apply before the extended deadline of August 14.

GHC was featured on three different college ranking sites, including UniversityHQ, College Total, and EduMed.

GHC was ranked in the UniversityHQ’s Top 50 Colleges and Universities with Low Tuition Costs; landed in the top three in College Total’s “Most Affordable Online Colleges” list; and ranked on EduMed’s list for the best online dental hygiene programs.

According to UniversityHQ, “While the primary criterion was the lowest tuition cost, we looked at other aspects that made the schools special, unique and beneficial to students.”

College Total echoed this detail when reviewing colleges for its list.

“Our team analyzed various components when ranking the best online colleges in Georgia,” College Total said on its website. “Some of the components we looked at included retention rates, graduation rates, and percentage of students that are taking online classes. While those were all important components to finding the best online colleges in Georgia, our team looked at numerous other components throughout the ranking process.”

GHC and each of the University System of Georgia (USG) institutions are proceeding with a return to campus for the upcoming fall semester set to kick off in August should guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgia Department of Public Health allow it.

GHC faculty have adapted fall classes to fit a number of variations for students to choose from, which are detailed below and in this video.

Fall 2020 Class Options:

• In-person: Classes meet on the days and times listed in “Course Offerings” at the location detailed. Social distancing measures are in place, so the class size will be smaller so students can spread out.
• Hybrid: Classes meet in person on the day, time, and location listed in “Course Offerings,” and there is also a required online component, typically delivered via D2L (an online student learning platform).
• Web-Based: Classes do not meet at a designated location or time. Students log-in to D2L to complete coursework. Students should be motivated and great at time-management. Much of the work is self-paced, but assignments and assessments must be completed by due dates outlined in the course syllabus.
• eClassroom: Classes meet live online on the day and time listed in “Course Offerings.” Students must use GHC’s Zoom web meeting system, which is a free application that can be accessed via a computer, tablet, or phone.
• eCore/eMajor: Online classes that are offered through a partnership with the USG and are taught by faculty from various institutions in the USG.

Additional information and details about these types of classes can be found by visiting GHC’s Return to Campus page at chargeahead.highlands.edu and clicking “Fall 2020 Class Options.” Guidelines for returning to campus as well as additional measures GHC is taking can also be found on this site.

Students at Georgia Highlands College (GHC) will have a number of options to choose from when taking classes during the upcoming fall semester, including both online and in-person as well as hybrid formats, depending on the student’s preference. Additionally, GHC has posted new guidelines and taken extra health and safety measures to ensure students and employees can proceed with the fall semester while continuing to help stem the spread of the coronavirus in Georgia.

GHC and each of the University System of Georgia (USG) institutions are proceeding with a return to campus for the upcoming fall semester set to kick off in August should guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgia Department of Public Health allow it.

GHC faculty have adapted fall classes to fit a number of variations for students to choose from.

Fall 2020 Class Options:

• In-person: Classes meet on the days and times listed in “Course Offerings” at the location detailed. Social distancing measures are in place, so the class size will be smaller so students can spread out.
• Hybrid: Classes meet in person on the day, time, and location listed in “Course Offerings,” and there is also a required online component, typically delivered via D2L (an online student learning platform).
• Web-Based: Classes do not meet at a designated location or time. Students log-in to D2L to complete coursework. Students should be motivated and great at time-management. Much of the work is self-paced, but assignments and assessments must be completed by due dates outlined in the course syllabus.
• eClassroom: Classes meet live online on the day and time listed in “Course Offerings.” Students must use GHC’s Zoom web meeting system, which is a free application that can be accessed via a computer, tablet, or phone.
• eCore/eMajor: Online classes that are offered through a partnership with the USG and are taught by faculty from various institutions in the USG.

Additional information and details about these types of classes can be found by visiting GHC’s Return to Campus page at chargeahead.highlands.edu and clicking “Fall 2020 Class Options.” Guidelines for returning to campus as well as additional measures GHC is taking can also be found on this site.

“We understand the COVID-19 situation is fluid and we will continue to work with the University System of Georgia in relying on expertise and guidance from the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and the CDC,” GHC President Don Green said. “Our full return to campus will require patience, adaptation to change, and deliberate implementation as we move forward.”

“The highest priority in our plan to return will remain the health and safety of our students, employees, and community,” Green added, “as well as our mission to graduate our students.”

GHC has also taken extra health and safety measures at each of its locations, including providing access to over 7,000 cloth masks for students and employees and nearly 300 clear masks and face shields for classroom instructors; an additional 750,000 disinfectant wipes for increased cleaning, including disinfectant spray bottles and wipes for exercise facilities; plexiglass stations in main offices; increased sanitizer stations; extra nightly cleaning measures including the use of disinfectant foggers on restrooms, hallways, and classrooms; and much more. GHC will continue to evaluate and add more health and safety measures as needed throughout the semester.

Additionally, all USG institutions will require all faculty, staff, students, and visitors to wear an appropriate face covering while inside campus facilities/buildings where six feet social distancing may not always be possible. Face covering use will be in addition to and is not a substitute for social distancing.

Face coverings are not required when alone in an enclosed office or study room or in campus outdoor settings where social distancing requirements are met.

Anyone not using a face covering when required will be asked to wear one or must leave the area. Repeated refusal to comply with the requirement may result in discipline through the applicable conduct code for faculty, staff or students.

Reasonable accommodations may be made for those who are unable to wear a face covering for documented health reasons.

You can learn more about the details regarding face covering at usg.edu/coronavirus

Note: All USG institutions switched to remote delivery for courses in March and continued this way for the remainder of the spring and summer semesters to help stem the spread of the coronavirus. Please visit GHC’s information and resource page, which includes FAQs for prospective students, current students, and employees and is reviewed and updated frequently.

Georgia Highlands College (GHC) will utilize Duo Security for student accounts starting in August. Duo is a multi-factor authentication service that protects accounts from malicious activities like hacking and identity theft.

GHC will require the use of Duo Security for student accounts beginning on August 1st, 2020.

“This service will enhance the security of student email, D2L and Zoom accounts by requiring a second form of authentication in addition to a password when those systems are accessed,” GHC Information Security Officer Ian Fleming said. “GHC will be rolling out Single Sign-On services with Duo to more of our systems, such as SCORE, in the near future.”

GHC’s Information Security Program worked in consultation with the University System of Georgia’s Department of Cybersecurity and has determined that systems relying solely on a username and password (known as single sign-on) for authentication are increasingly at risk of compromise from social engineering attacks and weak password selections by their users.

“Securing information and information systems is an important responsibility for all USG institutions,” Fleming said. “GHC faculty and staff are already using Duo to protect their accounts. Based on their feedback, we’ve developed a comprehensive knowledge base about Duo, how to use it, and how it works to protect you.”

Fleming stated more information about Duo can be found at sites.highlands.edu/information-technology/duo/

Duo utilizes several ways to authenticate signing into a GHC account, including a text message or phone call, a push notification using the Duo Mobile app on a compatible smartphone, a six-digit passcode that appears in the Duo Mobile app on a compatible smartphone, or a physical U2F Security Key, such as a Yubico Security Key, connected to a computer.

Students can enroll in Duo today by visiting duoportal.highlands.edu

Over 100 high school students have enrolled in Georgia Highlands College’s Dual Enrollment program in Polk County and graduated while gaining college credit thanks to a partnership between GHC and the Polk County School District.

“Over the past five years, the partnership between the Polk School District and Georgia Highlands College has proven to be a tremendous asset for the students we serve and the Polk County community as a whole,” Katherine Thomas, who serves as Assistant Superintendent of Innovation and Learning for Polk School District and the Chief Executive Officer of Polk Career Academy, said. “Throughout our partnership, 110 students have taken Dual Enrollment courses with Georgia Highlands College. Of these students, 39 students completed an Associate Degree in General Studies two weeks before they graduated from their respective high school.”

An additional 23 students are on track to graduate for the 2020-2021 school year.

“The value of this program is derived from the exposure, the opportunity, and the experience that our students are afforded through participating in the Dual Enrollment program,” Thomas said. “One of the main areas our program focuses on is the transition from secondary to post-secondary. So often students struggle with the transition to the post-secondary expectation.”

Dual Enrollment is a cost-effective way for students to earn college credit and allows students to get a jump start on their college degree.

“Tuition costs are covered by the state, which is a very cost-effective way for students to earn college credits, especially since the cost of education keeps increasing,” GHC Director of Admissions Maggie Schuyler said. “Dual Enrollment allows students to experience college and develop good study habits before they start college full time. Earning dual-enrollment credits often times helps also students’ confidence and aid in the transition from high school to a full-time college student. It is very helpful for first-generation college students.”

She continued, “We have also seen that students earning college credit through the Dual Enrollment program can help ensure that the students will graduate from college on time — if not early.”

Thomas said the partnership allows Polk schools to provide an extra layer of support for students during this time in their educational career. She said students not only gain exposure to high rigor college coursework, they also walk away with invaluable experience in the form of understanding collegiate terminology, increased student responsibility and accountability, proficiently navigating online resources and more.

“Many of these factors often play a large role in student success when transitioning to the post-secondary environment,” Thomas said. “In this sense, our students are not simply ‘getting ahead,’ they are coming away from their secondary experience fully equipped with the resources and knowledge they need to be successful at the post-secondary level.”

She said throughout the life of the partnership, Polk schools have been witness to numerous positive outcomes with regard to students that participate in the Dual Enrollment program.

“In today’s educational environment, it has become clear that there does not exist a singular approach that fits every students’ needs and aspirations,” Thomas said. “Dual Enrollment provides opportunities for our students that cannot be provided at the secondary level alone. Many of our students go into their senior year with only one or two courses needed to complete their high school graduation requirements. Dual Enrollment courses allow students to take advantage of this time.”

She continued, “By exposing these students to the higher-level expectation at the collegiate level they are not simply earning college credit, saving money and time, or getting ahead in their educational career. These students are able to begin their first year of college in an environment that is strictly focused on aiding them in the transition from high school to college.”

Georgia Highlands College offers Dual Enrollment courses on-campus and online. The college also partners with some area school districts to offer GHC courses at local high schools. For more information on Dual Enrollment, please visit highlands.edu