GWINNETT –To stand out in a crowd of thousands of students is no easy feat, but Gwinnett Technical College student Pagna Donlevy has done just that. Donlevy, a resident of Snellville, was recently named Gwinnett Technical College’s Georgia Occupational Award (GOAL) of Leadership winner. The Residential Construction Management student was among 90 students nominated for the honor at Gwinnett Tech this year among 10,000 students.
Donlevy was born in Cambodia and made her way to the United States at age 15. She left her village of Battambang, Cambodia, during the continued civil war after the Khmer Rouge occupation ended. Donlevy is the true “American Dream,” she arrived in the U.S. unable to speak English and with no money to go on and succeed and achieve her dream of going to college and earning her associate degree. She will graduate in December 2024 with an associate’s degree in residential commercial construction.
“To be the GOAL winner is exciting and overwhelming,” stated Donlevy. “I am very grateful for continuing my educational career at GTC, and being the GOAL winner will allow me more opportunities.” After graduation, Donlevy plans to continue her education and skills and build homes in the United States and Cambodia.
Before enrolling at Gwinnett Tech, Donlevy earned her Bachelor of Arts from Wheaton College in 2013 and taught math at The Bement School in Deerfield, Massachusetts. She moved to Georgia in 2016 as Director of Global Partnerships and International Outreach at Brandon Hall School.
The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) sponsors the GOAL program at the state level to recognize the importance of technical education. Students are nominated annually by their instructors. Donlevy will represent Gwinnett Technical College as the local winner in the spring’s regional and statewide competitions. In addition, the state’s GOAL winner will serve as the student ambassador for technical education in Georgia.
Gwinnett Technical College offers more than 140 degrees, diplomas, and certificates that can be completed in two years or less. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.
About Gwinnett Tech: Gwinnett Technical College, one of Georgia’s largest technical colleges, is committed to producing workforce-ready graduates to meet the needs of its community’s high-demand business and industry sectors. The college offers more than 140 associate degrees, diplomas, certificate programs, and hundreds of seminars, workshops, and specialized training courses. Gwinnett Tech is Gwinnett County’s largest corporate training provider and serves residents and businesses in north Fulton County. Gwinnett Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the associate degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia, 30033-4097, or call 404-679-4500 for questions about Gwinnett Technical College’s accreditation. In addition, some college programs hold separate licensure or accreditation status with appropriate agencies. For more information, visit GwinnettTech.edu. A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.