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First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden visits Augusta Technical College on Investing in America Tour

by Kimberly Holden

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For Immediate Release
	Media Contact | Original Press Release Kimberly Holden Executive Director, Marketing & Public Relations 706.771.4819 kimberly.holden@augustatech.edu

First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden visits Augusta
Technical College on Investing in America Tour

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Biden and local officials spoke to the community about working together to expand pathways to good-paying jobs.

Augusta, GA - July 19, 2023

Augusta Technical College had the honor of hosting Dr. Jill Biden, the First Lady of the United States, Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk, and US Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona on a momentous visit aimed at promoting education and workforce development. Dr. Biden's commitment to expanding access to quality education and her unwavering support for community colleges made Augusta Technical College an ideal destination for her engagement.

During her visit, Dr. Biden participated in an interactive session with the Augusta Tech Cougars Manufacturing Camp, a free camp for 12-14 year old's to Inspire middle-school age kids to consider a career in manufacturing, showcase the educational pathways of industrial mechanics, and expose disadvantaged student populations to the college campus and the hands-on nature of technical careers.

She also met with Mechatronics Instructor Ted Herlo and students Patrick Kling and Dustin Phillips, who demonstrated an assembly line process and showcased the vital role community colleges play in empowering students and bridging the skills gap in today's rapidly evolving workforce. The event commenced with a warm welcome to community leaders, faculty, staff and students. The First Lady emphasized the importance of investing in community colleges and applauded Augusta Technical College's commitment to equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in high-demand industries. In a heartfelt address to a captivated audience, Dr. Biden spoke passionately about the critical role that community colleges play in creating pathways to economic opportunity.

"As a community college professor myself, I'm so excited to see how this work changes people's lives. . . Because for most people, a high school diploma alone. . .it's just not enough to find a great career. But that doesn't mean that there's only one pathway to success," remarked Dr. Biden.

Augusta Technical College President, Dr. Jermaine Whirl, expressed his gratitude for Dr. Biden's visit and her dedication to educational excellence. He stated, "Dr. Biden's visit has invigorated our entire college community. We are immensely grateful for her support and commitment to advancing workforce development and promoting the value of community colleges nationwide."

Dr. Jill Biden's visit to Augusta Technical College underscored the critical role community colleges play in shaping the future of our nation's workforce. Her unwavering advocacy for accessible education and her genuine interest in the success of students served as an inspiration to all in attendance.

Click here to view photos from the First Lady's visit.

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About Augusta Technical College

Augusta Technical College, a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, is a public postsecondary institution that provides academic and technical education, customized business and industry training, continuing education, student support, economic development, and adult education services to its service area (Burke, Columbia, Lincoln, McDuffie, and Richmond Counties) at a competitive financial value. Associate of Science Degrees, Associate of Applied Science Degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates of credit are provided through traditional and distance delivery methods. For more information, visit augustatech.edu.

Media Contact:
Kimberly Holden Executive Director, Marketing & Public Relations
706.771.4819
kimberly.holden@augustatech.edu

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• Categories:
• Press Release
• School of Aviation, Industrial and Engineering Technology
• Mechatronics

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