For media information, contact:
Dana Urrutia, 678-495-3638
durrutia@gwinnetttech.edu

September 06, 2007

Gwinnett Tech's Rachel Mariano Wins State Leadership Award

Mariano's Leadership Abilities Applauded through Georgia Recognition Program

Gwinnett Tech Student Services Coordinator Rachel Mariano has been recognized for her outstanding leadership capabilities and community efforts with a Leadership Award from the State of Georgia.

Mariano was nominated for the Leadership Award of Georgia's Public Employee Awards Recognition Program for being a "self-motivated achiever who thrives on opportunities for leadership within the college and the community."

According to Tom Travis, vice president of student services with Gwinnett Tech, who nominated Mariano, "Rachel undertakes all activities with a spirit of generosity and cooperation, creating a welcome atmosphere on Gwinnett Tech's campus to people and organizations. She leads in such a way that her projects receive the willing cooperation and support of faculty, staff, students and community."

In Mariano's role at Gwinnett Tech, she has instituted a number of programs that showcase student talents and provide outlets for personal enrichment, and has led community outreach efforts that impact the region in a wide array of areas.

Among some of Mariano's many efforts are:

• Developing the Student Ambassador Program and Student Leadership Council to provide outlets for students who wish to engage in service and leadership projects in and around the college.
  
• Organizing numerous community outreach programs, like:
  • Great Day of Service (service to community agencies and schools)
  • Relay for Life (American Cancer Society fundraiser) and United Way
  • GED student counseling/recruitment sessions
  • High school, middle school and alternative school visits with student leaders
  • Clothing, food and book drives
    
• Creating the Legacy of Leaders program that links students with elderly citizens.
  
• Developing the Annual Student Leadership Conference, which brings nationally known speakers and leaders to the college and provides leadership training for 350 college and high school students.

"Rachel plays a vital role for our college," said Sharon Bartels, president, Gwinnett Tech. "We value learning outside of the classroom, as well as traditional education, in an effort to help prepare students for the workforce. Through programs like the ones Rachel has implemented, our students can take advantage of many opportunities that help make them well-rounded, capable contributors in their chosen career fields. Rachel is certainly a deserving recipient of this prestigious Leadership Award."

Mariano received her Leadership Award at a luncheon hosted by Georgia Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle.

The State of Georgia Public Employee Recognition Program annually recognizes employees who exemplify and promote outstanding leadership qualities and behaviors. Mariano, who was first nominated and selected at the college level, went on to win the competition for the Department of Technical and Adult Education before being named the overall state winner.

For more information on Gwinnett Tech, call 770-962-7580 or visit www.GwinnettTech.edu.

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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.