November 25, 2024
Gainesville, GA-Lanier Technical College, a Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), annually appoints a Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) Student of the Year and a Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year. These awards are based on leadership, academic excellence, belief in technical education, and a passion for entering the workforce or workforce development. Each inductee is announced during the annual recognition event.
Amanda Money is enrolled as a Radiologic Technology student and has been titled Lanier Tech’s 2025 GOAL Student of the Year. GOAL, a statewide program for all 22 of TCSG’s Colleges, honors excellence in academics and leadership amongst their fellow cohort. Money was nominated by the Radiologic Technology Program Director, Erika Bongart, for being an exceptional student amongst her peers. When asked about her Lanier Tech origin story, Money proclaimed,
“I started my education with a traditional four-year degree in theater arts. The expectation during that time was that everyone should get a four-year degree, and that ideally leads to success, but that wasn’t the case. Dissatisfaction with my career and a lack of fulfillment lead to hard times during this period of my life. This dissatisfaction was compounded by a series of unfulfilling office jobs that I pursued just to make ends meet. Seeking a meaningful change, I made the decision to achieve sobriety and enrolled at Lanier Technical College’s Rad Tech program.
I only have one semester until I graduate into a workforce actively seeking the skills and talents that I studied and practiced while at Lanier Tech. I now have a clear path and vision for my life. I plan to continue my education through the college’s Computed Tomography (CT) certificate program. All of these opportunities became possible because of the education and skills provided to me by Lanier Tech. The Technical College System of Georgia has given me purpose, stability, and the ability to serve others in a career that brings me joy.”
Michael Myers, The Program Director for Lanier Technical College’s Criminal Justice Program, has been named the 2025 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year. Like GOAL, the Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year Award is a statewide program for all of TCSG’s 22 Colleges that aims to showcase outstanding instructors within the college system. Myers was nominated by one of his students who boasted, “Michael is such a great instructor. He takes the time to be sure we all comprehend the subjects he teaches. I believe he has our best interest at heart and hopes to see all of us succeed in the workforce.”
When questioned about his career journey up to this point, Myers had this to say,
“Growing up was rough. Being known as a “Myers Boy” was probable cause to be stopped by the local police. The last time I watched one of my brothers being locked up was a turning point for me to be sure my life would be different. Following my high school graduation, I joined the U.S. Army and served four years as a Calvary Scout, patrolling the borders of East Germany and Czechoslovakia.
After the Army, I joined the Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HSCO). My positions within the HSCO included Field Training Officer, Training Director, and SWAT Team Member. While in those roles, I received the Medal of Valor and a Purple Heart for being shot in the line of duty. Additionally, I was named the 2002 Officer of the Year and graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy in 2007.
These accomplishments opened my horizons and made me realize I am passionate about teaching. After retiring from the HSCO, that passion led me to begin teaching the Criminal Justice program at Lanier Technical College. Lastly, when I teach, I cannot help but think there could be a student like me—a student who is looking for their chosen vocation, a pathway that will lead them to success and career fulfillment. “
Both Money and Myers will go on to compete against other regional technical colleges. Following the regional competitions, selected students and instructors will compete for the title TCSG’s Overall GOAL Student of the Year and Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year. The final competition will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, in April 2025.
About the Technical College System of Georgia
The 22 colleges of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) are Georgia’s top resource for skilled workers. TCSG offers world-class training in more than 600 associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs to students who are trained on state-of-the-art equipment by instructors who are experts in their fields. The system also houses Georgia’s Office of Adult Education, which promotes and provides adult literacy and education programs, including the GED® testing program, throughout the state. In addition, TCSG partners with companies through Quick Start, the nation’s top customized workforce training program, and through its colleges, which work with local industry to provide workforce and training solutions. For more information, visit TCSG.edu.
