South Georgia Tech’s Ashley L. Holland Earns the SkillsUSA National Statesman Award

South Georgia Technical College Medical Assisting student Ashley L. Holland of Americus earned the National Statesman Award at the Washington Leadership Training Institute conference in Alexandria, VA recently.

   Holland, who is the Technical College System of Georgia SkillsUSA State Vice President for 2019 – 2020, attended the conference recently at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center in Alexandria, VA. She was honored during the Washington Leadership Training Institute Conference closing banquet.

   This award is only available to the SkillsUSA members who participate in the Washington Leadership Training Institute. During the conference, she visited with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill, toured the Washington, D.C. monuments, participated in the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and visited the National Leadership Center in Leesburg, VA.

   As a State Officer, Vice President Holland demonstrated her SkillsUSA knowledge and civic awareness, along with an understanding of the SkillsUSA Framework and how to articulate her personal experience in career and technical education (CTE). Understanding the evolution of CTE, the importance of Carl D. Perkins funding and the skills gap is critical to preparing for conversations with legislators on Capitol Hill.

   The SkillsUSA National Statesman requirements add up to 100 possible points. To receive this award, a member must receive a minimum of 80 points. Students, advisors and state directors seeking to achieve this award, must complete the pre-work assignments. This advance training for students and advisors focuses on professionalism, communication and leadership skills.

   South Georgia Technical College’s Cynthia Carter, Director of Career Services and active member of the SkillsUSA Georgia Postsecondary State Planners, earned her National Statesman award in 2017. She accompanied Holland to the conference. As the SGTC Director of Career Services, Carter focuses on employment—to increase student awareness of quality job practices and attitudes, and to increase the opportunities for employer contact and eventual employment. She indicated, at WLTI, students are the voice for career and technical education to our legislative leaders.

   To learn more about SkillsUSA local membership and its framework contact Vanessa Wall, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs at South Georgia Technical College at vwall@southgatech.edu.