West Georgia Technical College’s Adult Education program held a graduation ceremony for 21 incarcerated students at the Carroll County Correctional Institution. Pictured from left are Alonza Wood, Corrections HSE Instructor, Dr. Jennifer Shearon, Director of Adult Education at West Georgia Technical College, Dean Alford, Executive Director of Family Prison Ministries, Inc., Dr. Julie Post, President of West Georgia Technical College, and Rebecca Wheeler, Dean of Adult Education at West Georgia Technical College.
West Georgia Technical College’s (WGTC) Adult Education program recently celebrated the graduation of 21 incarcerated students at the Carroll County Correctional Institution.
Two students earned their GED, 15 students completed an Entrepreneurship and Small Business training course (ESB), and four earned a workforce certification. Students who earned their GED took courses on math, language arts, social studies, and science. Students who earned their ESB certification learned about entrepreneurial and small business principles through at least 150 hours of instruction. Students who earned a workforce certification received both forklift and OSHA 10 certifications after a few days of instruction.
This is the second graduation WGTC’s Adult Education program has held this year. Last month at the Coweta County Correctional Institution, 31 incarcerated students graduated with either their GED or ESB.
“In addition to serving students in local prisons, we are exploring opportunities to expand adult education classes into local jails,” said Rebecca Wheeler, Dean of Adult Education at WGTC. “Education is one of the most effective tools for reducing recidivism, helping individuals successfully reintegrate into their communities and the workforce. We are hopeful that some of these additional classes will launch within the coming year.”
After serving as the keynote speaker at last month’s graduation, Dean Alford was invited to return as the keynote speaker for this ceremony as well. Alford spent four years incarcerated at the Coweta County Correctional Institution and was released within the past year. During his incarceration, he helped establish an inmate-led GED program, creating education opportunities for fellow inmates.
“This program has truly been impactful in changing people’s lives,” Alford said. “I am thankful for the continued opportunities that West Georgia Technical College is providing for incarcerated men.”
For more information about WGTC’s Adult Education program, visit westgatech.edu/adult-education.
