The fall semester of 2023 will see ABAC introduce two new certificate programs based on Media and Education, respectively.
ABAC’s Certificate in Digital Media and Professional Communication expands the school’s steadily growing focus on media-centric practices, providing an efficient path for students to build upon digital media and communication skills.
Communication professor Dr. Tom Grant commented on the new program saying, “Now every student at ABAC has a chance to learn digital media as part of their academic program, and to earn a certificate that will demonstrate their competence to potential employers.”
He emphasized the importance and necessity of the skills provided through the program, stressing that, “Anyone who wants to be successful in their field — whether they work in agriculture or business or medicine — needs to be able to communication using modern digital tools.”
“Those who most effectively use social media, digital images, video and audio to reach their target audiences,” he added, “stand apart from those who limit themselves to traditional communication forms.”
This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Wendy Harrison who highlighted the program’s role in addressing a lack of effective communication skills in students.
She gave high praise to Dr. Anderson for tirelessly working to see the certificate program established, a process which took over two years-worth of effort.
Additionally, she described the flexibility of the program, saying, “graduates will likely have a number of jobs in a variety of organizations …, [so] our certificate does not focus on a particular industry or organization but will serve students in a variety of post-graduate pursuits.”
In her closing discussion on the certificate being offered to both current students and those who have already earned their degrees, she expressed a desire to see the program serve not only the ABAC community but the South Georgia community as well.
ABAC’s Certificate in Instructional Support Personnel is built upon the same intention, acting as a credential meant to help combat a nationwide shortage of qualified teaching personnel.
Dr. Donna Campbell offered her insights as one of the program’s chief supporters, saying that, “We’re trying to help with the job force. If we can entice people to come to ABAC with the program, we can get more people in the workforce to teach our children.”
“There’s an especially heavy need in elementary education,” she continued, “and this is a step that can help paraprofessionals already in the education field to streamline their work experience while working on their bachelor’s degree.”
Dr. Campbell also added that the program has a since an immense support from ABAC’s leadership, going all the way to President Brundage herself.
She also commended both Professor Tammy Hinson and Lecturer Ridge Harper, praising them for their instrumental roles in completing the groundwork needed for the certificate to become reality, a feat which required nearly a year of toil.
These two programs are a few of the many changes coming to ABAC in the new school year, and with the dedicated support behind both certificates, each has the potential to benefit ABAC students and South Georgia communities for years to come.