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January 25, 2012

Gwinnett Technical College Names 2012 Instructor of the Year

Surgical Technology Instructor Holly Sanders Receives the Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Education

Holly Sanders, an instructor in Gwinnett Technical College’s surgical technology program, has been honored with the college’s 2012 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Education.

The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction honors technical education’s most outstanding instructors. The award has been an ongoing statewide program since 1991 and the recipients are technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields.

Sanders has been an instructor at Gwinnett Tech since 2008. An Atlanta-area native, she holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Kennesaw State University and a surgical technology diploma from Gwinnett Technical College. Before entering the field of education, Sanders worked for Cryolife and then as a member of the transplant team at Piedmont Hospital.

"Holly Sanders is an enthusiastic, innovative instructor," says Victoria Seals, vice president of academic affairs for GTC. "An excellent choice for this award, she not only believes in technical college education, Holly is a product of technical college education."

A natural curiosity drives Sanders and her never-ending quest to find the next piece of the puzzle is an energizing attribute that spills over into the classroom and continues to shape her outlook.

"Holly is a motivated woman of numerous talents and considerable self-discipline," comments T.C. Parker, Surgical Technology program director. "She is a take-charge person who is able to present creative ideas and communicate the benefits."

In her nomination recommendation letter, Parker describes how Sanders proactively initiated a video lab check off for each student – a transformational performance evaluation tool and just one of the many innovations Sanders has spearheaded.

Additional GTC Rick Perkins Award nominees include:

• Susan Arnold, Interiors
• Gary Carter, Computer Science
• Ryan Cheek, Veterinary Technology
• Kerri Crean, Culinary Arts
• Dr. Philip Gibson, Bioscience
• Jessica LaPointe, Biology
• Christine Laurent, Nursing
• David Newton, Emergency Medical Services
• Mark Newton, Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management
• Theresa (T.C.) Parker, Surgical Technology
• Rita Patel, Networking Specialist
• John Thacher, Web Design
• Sue VanLanen, Office Technology
• Penny Waddell, Speech
• Terra Womack, Cosmetology

Gwinnett Tech offers more than 50 degree, diploma and certificate options that can be completed in two years or less. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.

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About Gwinnett Tech
Gwinnett Technical College, one of Georgia's largest technical colleges, is committed to delivering relevant knowledge to meet the workforce training needs of its community. The college offers more than 50 associate degree, diploma and certificate programs and hundreds of seminars, workshops and courses providing specialized training. GTC is Gwinnett County's largest provider of corporate training and now serves residents and businesses in north Fulton County. Gwinnett Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097,404-679-4500, www.sacscoc.org for questions about the accreditation of Gwinnett Technical College. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu.

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.