WINNER SELECTED AMONG SIX INSTRUCTORS NAMED SEMI-FINALISTS FOR EXCELLENCE IN TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION
Warner Robins, Ga. – Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) recently named, Deryk Stoops, an Automation Technology instructor in the Aerospace, Trade, and Industry Division as its 2026 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction Winner.
Stoops is originally from Camden County, Georgia and has worked for CGTC for seven years, after previously working in the System at South Georgia Technical College in Americus.
“I am very intentional in what I do,” Stoops said.” I am about helping students succeed and seeing lives changed. I intentionally build and try to be innovative for our College and Division in the ways we present programs as cutting-edge, allowing students to have great jobs and great futures.”
Stoops’ recent innovation includes his work at the Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource (VECTR) Center as the lead instructor for the CGTC’s AI-Enhanced Robotic Manufacturing program.
The program was established in 2023 inside the VECTR Center with Central Georgia Technical College’s AI-Enhanced Robotic Manufacturing Studio. Through a hands-on training program, students are prepared for careers in these fields, according to a release by CGTC.
The first round of students began the program in October 2023 and finished the course in February 2024. The program has garnered interest among students and employers from across the state. Students explore a wide range of in-demand topics, including introductory AI and manufacturing, industrial safety, basic electrical and hydraulic power, machine vision, and programming.
While innovation and student success are key factors in his career, Stoops enjoys time with his family, cooking, silversmithing, and reading.
In addition to Stoops, six exceptional instructors from CGTC were named as semi-finalists for the prestigious 2026 RPA Award and the Adjunct Instructor of the Year claimed his prize during the College’s December awards banquet.
The College named Santel Smith, an instructor in Criminal Justice, its Adjunct Instructor of the Year.
The semi-finalists for RPA included
Dennis Logan Brown, Radiologic Technology Clinical Instructor/Coordinator, Health Sciences.
Nysheeka Hosely, Warehouse Distribution Instructor, Re-entry Services.
Phillip Hamner, Humanities and Language Arts Instructor/Program Chair, General Education.
Amanda Cobb, Radiologic Technology Instructor/Program Chair, Health Sciences.
Lance Teele, Diesel Truck Maintenance Instructor/Program Chair, Aerospace, Trade & Industry.
Deans from each respective division praised the dedication and skill of these instructors, acknowledging their significant contributions to advancing the mission of CGTC and enhancing student success.
CGTC instructors are nominated for the Rick Perkins Award by their peers and undergo a rigorous selection process, which includes multiple interview panels. The final award recipient will be chosen from this group of finalists.
The Rick Perkins Award is part of a statewide program managed by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), honoring excellence in instruction and leadership across Georgia’s technical colleges. Each of the state’s 22 technical colleges selects a winner, and CGTC’s semi-finalists will move forward in the competition.
In March, Stoops will compete for the College in the regional competition with finalists from all 22 colleges in the system. Following the regional, three finalists from each of Georgia’s three regions will be selected. These nine regional finalists will then advance to the state competition in April 2026.
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), X (@CGTC), and Instagram (@centralgatech).