West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) has announced the recipients of its 2026 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction (RPA) and Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), honoring outstanding achievement among faculty and students. The announcement was made on November 13 at WGTC’s GOAL and RPA Banquet, an annual event that celebrates the finalists for both awards.
Caycee Tyler, Natural Sciences Department Chair and Biology Instructor, was named WGTC’s 2026 Rick Perkins Award winner. She was nominated by Sole’ Thernell, Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences.
“I have seen firsthand that Caycee is not only an outstanding educator but a leader whose work elevates student learning and faculty support across our institution,” Thernell said. “She is the kind of educator students remember years later and the colleague who strengthens everyone around her.”
The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction honors the state’s most exceptional instructors and has been a statewide tradition since 1991. Formerly known as the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence, it was renamed in memory of Thomas “Rick” Perkins, a WGTC instructor. Additional WGTC finalists for the 2026 award included Brandy Caldwell, Radiologic Technology Program Director; Taurus Madric-Morris, Marketing Program Director and Instructor; Bryan Murphy, English Instructor; Artesha Reed, Cosmetology Instructor; and Melinda Sharpe, Associate Degree Nursing Instructor.
WGTC also named Gabrien Eng, a Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism Management (HRTM) student, as its 2026 GOAL winner. Eng was nominated by HRTM Program Director Amber Payne and selected by a panel of local leaders over finalists Tiffany Coleman (Dental Hygiene), Alexis Holloman (Radiologic Technology), and Ace Worthan (Precision Manufacturing and Maintenance).
“During the year that I have gotten to know and observe Gabrien in our program, I have been thoroughly impressed with her determination to absorb information, apply skill, and work with others,” said Payne. “Not only is she intelligent and considerate of others, her resourcefulness and efficiency will be a substantial advantage for her in any chosen career path.”
Both Tyler and Eng will represent WGTC at the regional competitions in March at Central Georgia Technical College in Warner Robins. The nine regional finalists—three from each region—will be announced at the 2026 State GOAL and Rick Perkins Award Conference in Atlanta in April, and if selected, Tyler and Eng will compete for the state titles at the conference.
