SRTC opens new educational facility in Sylvester

Published 11:39 am Wednesday, September 27, 2023

SYLVESTER — The Adult Education program of Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) has opened a new location in Sylvester. SRTC’s Director for Adult Education Andy Semones worked closely with Sylvester City Manager Autron Hayes to secure the new site within the Daisy Gamble Learning Center, which is located at 607 W. Pinson St.

While the program currently occupies two of the center’s rooms, Semones said that the program would have room to grow in the new location. Room for expansion is important because SRTC’s Adult Education program has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years, celebrating 180 GED graduates last year alone.

Adult Basic Education is free to adult learners. The program’s services include Adult Literacy classes, GED test and HiSET exam preparation classes, and career training in the form Integrated Education and Training (IET) programs. Though high school equivalency assessments have an associated cost, SRTC partners with state and local agencies to cover the expenses for participants who are ready to take their GED or HiSET exams.

Semones and Hayes, along with Sylvester Mayor Harold Proctor Jr. and SRTC’s Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Vic Burke, recently visited the new site to meet with students and their instructor, Jo Clements. Clements said that the new location is a perfect fit for the program.

“Being at the new site in the middle of a neighborhood truly makes it feel like we are part of a community,” she said. “It is wonderful to see the Sylvester site grow, not only in numbers, but in relationships. I love how the students celebrate the successes and support each other through the disappointments that each person may encounter.”

Proctor and Hayes each spoke to the students about their own educational and career journeys before commending the students for their dedication to improving their lives through education. Burke chatted with the students about their own career ambitions and encouraged them to continue their education after they earn their high school equivalencies. He explained that SRTC’s job placement rate for graduates is over 99%, and assured them that if they earn a degree, diploma, or technical certificate of credit, they will be well on their way to a rewarding career.

In addition to Sylvester, SRTC’s Adult Education program has educational sites in Ashburn, Bainbridge, Blakely, Cairo, Camilla, Colquitt, Donalsonville, Moultrie, Thomasville, and Tifton. The program also offers online classes. For more information about Adult Education in Sylvester, please call 229-602-9655 or visit southernregional.edu/adult-basic-education.