Gordon State College Library Administrative Assistant Earns GLA Paraprofessional Award
By: Brittany A. Tennant, Communications Specialist
Gordon State College Library Administrative Assistant, Paula Williams, won a grant award for the Georgia Library Association (GLA) conference in Macon from October 9 through 11. Williams was one of five people who received an award that provided free conference attendance, a one-year paraprofessional membership in GLA and a recognition award at the event.
“I was excited to learn I would be attending the GLA Conference in Macon as a Paraprofessional Grant
recipient, said Williams. I was honored to represent Gordon State College Hightower Library at a conference filled with so many librarians and staff who are living their passion and making a difference. I enjoyed every minute and I brought back extensive notes to help enhance and enrich our students’ experience here at Gordon State!”
“The GLA was founded in 1897 to facilitate partnership among Georgia’s librarians, many of whom had previously found themselves isolated in their work, according to Georgia Libraries. With the advent of this professional network, librarians and library staff could work cooperatively with their peers to develop library services throughout the state.
Since its founding, the GLA has been a leader in library innovation and professional librarianship. The GLA builds on this tradition by continuing to work diligently, advocating for funding for public and school libraries, promoting and providing opportunities for librarians’ professional development, and supporting the development of technology and systems in libraries.”
Assistant Vice-President for Academic Excellence, Peter Jude Higgins said, “We are proud but not surprised that Paula was chosen for this honor. Here at Gordon State, we know that Paula is totally committed to helping our students, faculty, and her fellow library staff succeed, but it’s always exciting and gratifying to see a Highlander recognized state-wide for such great work.”
Director of Library Services, Angiah Davis said, “What a great honor this is to have Paula receive the GLA Paraprofessional Award. We are happy to celebrate her accomplishment! Paula goes beyond the call of duty daily at Hightower Library. The award demonstrates her commitment to “the Power of WE” and libraries. Her participation in the Georgia Libraries Conference and free Georgia Library Association membership will enhance her skills with faculty and students and help library staff remain relevant to the Gordon community. This type of professional development will also help library staff promote student success by incorporating the Highlander EDGE.”
On Saturday, October 19, Assistant Vice-President for Academic Excellence, Peter Jude Higgins, will be taking six student tutors to the 17th Annual Georgia Tutoring Association Conference in Macon. Tutoring Coordinator, Dr. Erik McCarthy and Student Success Fellow, Professor Kathryn Gunn, will also be attending.
A GSC student tutor, Hannah Rutledge, had a proposal accepted and will be presenting at the conference. Rutledge’s presentation is entitled: “Avoiding the Net: How Peer Writing Tutors Should Approach the Issue of Plagiarism.”
The mission of the Georgia Tutoring Association (GaTA) is to foster the recognition and importance of tutoring to enhance student academic success and retention throughout the state of Georgia,” according to GaTA.