Warner Robins, Ga. – Akira Lawrence, a nursing student at Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC), is the first CGTC student to be selected to participate in the Summer Global Leadership Institute in New York City, hosted by the Borough of Manhattan Community College.
The Institute is a week-long program set in the heart of New York City and is designed to help students better understand global diplomacy.
During June 21-30, Lawrence spent the week invested in hands-on discussions and seminars led by industry and academia, gaining knowledge on the ethics and understanding of diplomacy on a global scale. She also explored the remarkable landmarks of New York City, traveling from one end of Manhattan to the other, sightseeing in Central Park, visiting the One World Trade Center, and discovering the United Nations Headquarters.
Lawrence’s time in the program comes thanks to CGTC’s membership status with the Community Colleges for International Development (CCID). CCID offers high-impact programs for higher education professionals and serves as a gateway to students for third-party programs in international education.
“One of the most memorable experiences was visiting the United Nations and witnessing how international meetings are conducted,” said Lawrence about the program. “Being surrounded by peers from across the globe – Brazil, Guatemala, Afghanistan, Peru, as well as students from California, Chicago, and Texas – allowed me to build meaningful connections while learning about cultures, perspectives, and experiences that were different from my own.”
Lawrence will continue her education with CGTC this fall and soon enter the workforce with a newfound global competency.
“This experience has broadened my perspective, strengthened my confidence, and prepared me to become the change I want to see in the world,” she said.
Her accomplishment is part of an ever-growing population of career-ready, community-driven, and global workforce leaders at CGTC.
“Connection to global networks and partners like CCID provides unique access to a multitude of international education opportunities,” said JoBen Rivera-Thompson, CGTC’s Director of Marketing, Public Relations and International Outreach. “We are thrilled that Akira took a chance on herself and her abilities to explore the world around her and expand on her educational and career goals.”
For more information on CGTC Global Initiatives visit, www.centralgatech.edu/global
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently issued a Final Rule that changes the Duration of Status (D/S) admissions and advising process for all F-1 and J-1 international students currently studying in the United States. This Rule will take effect on September 15, 2026. The changes to this long-standing process are likely to cause delays, uncertainty and negative impacts on recruiting and student support capabilities. As hosts to only 5% of the international degree-seeking student population in the U.S. (tens of thousands of students), community colleges, in particular, face unique challenges with this ruling, particular with regards to student transfer pathways between 2-year and 4-year institutions – a hallmark of the robust and accommodating higher education landscape. With almost half a million students transferring from a community college to a university each year (32% of all students and approximately 90,000 international students annually), this ruling may have steep effects. The potential loss of talent, intercultural learning, global networking and innovation is significant, not to mention potentially harmful to local and state economies and job creation, of which international students contribute greatly. A recent statement about the ruling by NAFSA: Association for International Education may be viewed here.
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).