News

AIRPORT SECURITY PERSONNEL GAIN MORE EDUCATION AT GTCC

GREENSBORO --- The Transportation Security Administration honored the graduates of its inaugural educational achievement program at Piedmont Triad International Airport today (Jan. 25). The program is for employees who have improved their education since joining TSA.

TSA, a part of Homeland Security, has established a program with Guilford Technical Community College so employees can enroll in an associate degree program.

The Transportation Security Administration is partnering with community colleges to provide the Transportation Security Officer workforce at airports throughout the nation the opportunity to work toward a TSA Certificate of Achievement in Homeland Security and/or Associates Degree in Homeland Security or a related field.
The first employees to earn certificates at Piedmont Triad International Airport were honored in a 10:30 a.m. ceremony at the TSA office, 7029 Albert Pick Road. Honorees are John Balas, Amy Daughety, Steven Daly, Robbie Davis, Willard Simmonds and Matthew Miller.     

Patrese C. Roberts, national program manager for leadership training and career programs in Washington,  participated scheduled  in the ceremony. Also son the program were Robert Nealy, Greensboro Federal Security director; Judi Fleming, training specialist at the Greensboro Airport; student program participant Mark Siepak; and GTCC leaders.

The Transportation Security Administration expressed appreciation to GTCC administrators and faculty involved in the program: Leroy Stokes, vice president of corporate and continuing education; Lois Smith, chief academic officer; Brian Haderlie, dean of the Center of Business and Industry; Eric Holloman, department chair for criminal justice; Steve Castelloe, director of economic development; Ernest Cuthbertson, instructor for Homeland Security/Criminal Justice;  and Therese Coon, instructor for corporate training.

Homeland Security officials note:
* Currently approximately 14 percent of over 51,000 members of the TSO workforce report having an associate' degree or higher and only 26 percent report having completed any higher education courses. The Associate Program allows TSOs to enroll in higher education courses at or near their duty station, usually at the airport.
* The program enables the TSOs to enter a higher education program with fewer obstacles for completion. A goal of the program is to be in all major airport hubs by fall 2014.
* This past fall semester 15 new airports and their partner colleges joined the program. There are now 71 airports, including 67 Hub locations and over 60 colleges participating in the Associate Program. The program now has reached a major milestone with representation across all 50 states.

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Contact: ROBurchette@gtcc.edu (Released 1/25/12)