Workforce Development through the Technical College System of Georgia

Workforce Development through the Technical College System of George with Dr. Andrea Daniel - President Athens Technical College; Adie Shimandle, Executive Director - the Technical College Directors Association of Georgia; and Tammy Bryant - Director of Curriculum for Allied Health

The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) is the backbone of workforce development in Georgia, serving every corner of the state through 22 colleges and 88 campuses. TCSG delivers high -quality education and careers that empowers Georgians with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed for success in high-demand professional and emerging fields. From innovative programs in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and cybersecurity to robust partnerships with industries statewide, TCSG is preparing Georgia’s workforce for the jobs of the future. Each year, TCSG serves more than 500,000 Georgians through its technical education, adult education, and customized workforce training programs.

Georgia has been named the #1 state for business for 11 consecutive years by Area Development magazine, and TCSG plays a critical role in earning and sustaining this recognition. With affordable tuition, cutting-edge programs, and a strong emphasis on experiential learning, TCSG ensures that education and career advancement are accessible to all. The system has experienced significant enrollment growth in recent years and had the highest number of graduates in its history in 2024. Beyond technical programs, TCSG leads the state in adult education, high school equivalency initiatives, and workforce training for business and industry, cementing its role as a vital force in Georgia’s economy.

Areas of interest  for the Podcast and the individual most knowledgeable in that area:

Georgia Match - Dr. Daniel

• GEORGIA MATCH is a workforce initiative created by Governor Kemp, and championed by Chancellor Perdue, Commissioner Dozier, and State School Superintendent Woods.
• Direct Admissions initiative - letter to every public and private high school senior. The letter identifies all the TCSG & USG colleges that the student is academically qualified to attend based on their HOPE GPA.

Articulation Agreements ) Tammy Bryant  

• 28 TCSG courses transfer to University System of Georgia Colleges (USG)
• 894 one-to-one articulation agreements

Nursing  programs and their articulation agreements

Career Plus  -  Dr. Daniel

• Career Plus is a high school diploma program (vs. high school equivalent program) for students 21 years old and older.
• Students must complete nine high school core courses plus either a two-TCC pathway, a diploma, or an associate degree

Dual Achievement and Dual Enrollment – Dr. Daniel

• Students will graduate high school with a high school diploma and college credentials. Students must earn either two Technical Certificates of Credit or a Diploma or an associate degree
• Be between the ages of 16-21
• Student is not considered a drop-out from their high school

Georgia Quick Start – A highly accomplished department of the Technical College System of Georgia  -    (All)

• #1 Workforce Training Program in the country for 15 years, per Area Development Magazine
• Provides FREE workforce training for companies moving to Georgia or expanding operations in Georgia

Worksource Georgia – Dr. Daniel

• Provides workforce development and career services to more than 196,000 Georgians
• Launched an online labor exchange portal that connects employers with job seekers. worksourcegaportal.com

Leadership through Local Board of Directors - Adie Shimandle

National Science Foundation Artificial Intelligence institute in Adult Learning and Online Education Program– Adie Shimandle

• 11 colleges participating in the ALOE Fellowship program

Episode Guests

Dr. Andrea Daniel President Athens Technical College

Dr. Andrea Daniel currently serves as the President at Athens Technical College. She has served the College for over 27 years. Dr. Daniel began her career working in the office of Senator Sam Nunn and supported the work of the Armed Services Committee. Dr. Daniel previously worked as a senior planning analyst for the Atlanta Regional Commission on projects such as the Outer Loop Study, Vision 2020 Education Stakeholder Committee, planning and zoning studies, and Olympic Transportation Planning.

Dr. Daniel has completed the Executive Leadership Academy of the Technical College System of Georgia, and she is a graduate of L.E.A.D. Athens Class of 2008. She has also successfully completed the Georgia Tech Annual Basic Economic Development Course, and the Georgia Regional Academy for Economic Development Essentials of Economic Development course. In January 2020, Dr. Daniel was elected and nominated by a group of her peers to serve on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Board of Trustees. For her efforts in demonstrating excellence, creativity and success in business and furthering the goals for other professional women, Dr. Daniel was presented the Athena Award in February 2020. In November 2020, Dr. Daniel received the Elbert County Native Citizen Award during the annual meeting of the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Daniel has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Lander University, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Georgia, and a doctorate in Business Administration specializing in organizational leadership from Northcentral University

Adie Eleaze Shimandle: Executive Director of the Technical College Directors' Association of Georgia

Ms. Shimandle is the Executive Director of the Technical College Directors' Association of Georgia (TCDA) under the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). In this role, she oversees education and certification programs for local boards of directors across Georgia's 22 technical colleges and has trained and certified more than 600 local board members.  She spearheaded the creation of TECH Talks, an initiative technical showcase of pioneering entrepreneurs in disruptive technologies and co-host of the Technical College System of Georgia Statewide Leadership Conference. These explosive new technologies and innovations are driving Georgia's industries and workforce. In addition to her work with TCDA, Ms. Shimandle actively advocates for technological advancements, serving as an ambassador to Georgia legislators, locally and at the federal level, and engaging in discussions on transformative innovations that enhance education and industry.

Ms. Shimandle has held senior level position in marketing, business analyst, project management and education. She is a graduate of Leadership North Fulton, created the Community Partner's Fair for the Taste of Alpharetta, Georgia, former member of Habitat for Humanity North Fulton and provided computers underserved students in the Norcross, Ga area. She was inducted into Marquis Who's Who in 2024 and recently was honored to be named the recipient of Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award December 2024.  She will appear in the 2025 edition of Who's Who in America.

Ms. Shimandle earned an Associates of Science in Education from Manatee Junior Collee (now the State College of Florida),  then earning a Bachelor of Science in Instructional Psychology, Training, and Technology at the University of Georgia, where she achieved academic distinction and was recognized for her leadership and scholastic excellence as a straight "A" student. She was honored to be selected as one of two graduating seniors to give the graduation speech at a UGA satellite campus.  She is a founding member of the National AI Institute for Adult Learning and Online Education (ALOE), and currently resides on the executive board assisting researchers with ongoing data and advice on adult learners.

Tammy Bryant, MSN, RN, Director of Curriculum for Allied Health at TCSG

Tammy earned a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Brenau University and a Master’s degree in Nursing from Walden University. Her first career was that of a Labor and Delivery Nurse in the Atlanta area. She then started as a nurse educator with the Technical College System of Georgia at Southern Regional Technical College (SRtC) in 1994 as a full-time instructor in the LPN Program; as she continued her educational journey she developed one of the first Gerontology Diploma Programs for the Technical College System, served as instructor, and program chair for the ASN program from 2010-2022. In 2023, she served as Dean of Nursing for SRTC from June – January of 2023.   Most recently in January 2023, she accepted the position within the Technical College System as Executive Director of Health Initiatives.

Tammy received the Southern Regional Technical College’s Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction twice while teaching. She has served as a member of the Nursing Education Committee for the Georgia Board of Nursing and the Steering Committee for the Inaugural Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing - Nursing Education Accreditation Conference.  She was appointed to the Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON) in 2017 and reappointed in 2021 and served as the President of the GBON for 2 years.

Additionally, she is active in her community where she has served as a Board Member for the Lives without Limits non-profit organization, a member of Thomasville Health Department Committee, as well as a Member of the Georgia Association of Nursing Deans and Directors.  Tammy and her husband, Danny, have one daughter and live in Thomasville.