Warner Robins, Ga. – Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) has named its four student finalists for the 2025 Georgia Occupational Award for Leadership (GOAL) program. These outstanding students were selected for their academic achievements and leadership potential in their respective fields.
The finalists are:
Alyssa Adkins, Dental Hygiene, nominated by Lindsey Evans
Debra Boyland, General Studies, nominated by Muhammad Samat
Brooklyn McDowell, Dental Hygiene, nominated by Dr. Ekaterina Mirzukalova
Skylar Reed, Cardiovascular Technology, nominated by Pamela Jordan
Each of these students was nominated by their instructors during the fall semester as part of the rigorous selection process. The students now move forward in the competition in December, vying for the prestigious title of CGTC’s Student of the Year.
The GOAL program, a statewide initiative through the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), celebrates excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students. GOAL winners are selected at each of Georgia’s 22 technical colleges.
“The GOAL program highlights the outstanding accomplishments of students in Georgia’s technical colleges and underscores the vital role technical education plays in today’s global workforce,” said CGTC’s Director of Marketing, Public Relations, and International Outreach, as well as the GOAL Coordinator, JoBen Rivera-Thompson. “This allows our exceptional students to show how technical education has impacted their lives and showcase what are they capable of to a broader audience.”
A screening committee of CGTC administrators reviewed nominations and conducted personal interviews with the finalists. Next, a selection committee composed of local business and industry leaders will evaluate the students in December based on academic performance, leadership abilities, personal character, and passion for technical education. The student who stands out as the most exceptional will be named CGTC’s GOAL winner and will move on to the regional competition.
The regional competition will involve three regions, with three students from each region advancing to the state finals. These nine regional finalists will be named at the state GOAL conference in April 2025, held in Atlanta. The winner of the state competition will be named the TCSG Student of the Year.
Additional nominees who competed for the 2025 GOAL competition at CGTC include:
Lacey Thompson, Practical Nursing, nominated by Leisha Wells
Kristine Feliciano, Radiologic Technology, nominated by Jennifer Dugan
Grace Taylor, Orthopedic Technology, nominated by Crystal Black
Cole Garnto, Physical Therapy Assistant, nominated by Dr. Mary Walker
Ansley Gresham, Dental Hygiene, nominated by Lindsey Evans
The State GOAL Winner will serve as the official ambassador for Georgia’s entire technical college system, traveling across the state to promote the value of technical education. As part of this prestigious recognition, the winner will also receive a brand-new car from Kia, the statewide corporate sponsor of the GOAL program.
About Central Georgia Technical College
As one of the largest two-year colleges in the state, CGTC operates three campuses and five centers throughout central Georgia, serving more than 30,000 individuals annually. CGTC is focused on connecting graduates to careers by offering quality education services, assuring a well -qualified workforce to support a healthy local economy. CGTC is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia and is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. For more information about CGTC, visit www.centralgatech.edu. Like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/centralgatech), Twitter (@CGTC), and Instagram (@centralgatech).