Gordon State College Hosts Education Ecosystem Summit

On Wednesday, Sept. 28, Gordon State College hosted the Education Ecosystem Summit. The event took place at GSC’s Collaborative Learning Center in the Nursing, Health, and Natural Sciences (NAHS) building from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Those in attendance included superintendents, principals, counselors, state and local officials, and career readiness specialists with representatives from Bibb, Butts, Clayton, Crawford, Fayette, Henry, Lamar, Meriwether, Monroe, Newton, Pike, Spalding, and Upson Counties. The attendees reviewed progress made within the districts in areas such as high school student engagement and improvement in college first-year enrollment numbers for graduating high school seniors.
GSC President Dr. Kirk A Nooks led the group by acknowledging the results of their dedication and diligence. Five districts posted their highest enrollment numbers in the last five years with an additional six districts at near record highs. Dr. Nooks spoke of specific strategic initiatives which have made an impact in the results such as Henry County’s Community Innovation Program Partnership and Clayton County’s Ignite Session in partnership with Communities in Schools (CIS).
“Tomorrow’s workforce is in today’s classrooms,” said Henry County Superintendent Dr. Mary Elizabeth Davis. “We had a shared vision of a customized high school experience that results in an associate degree or equivalent with a work-based learning placement in a career-starting field culminating in an employment offer or acceptance into a four-year university. ”
After reviewing student-driven data within the 14-county primary service region, the group set action items for all in attendance and made plans for the next steps needed to continue the momentum in engagement and improving the college-going rate.
“Two years into the work of the Education Ecosystem Summit approach WE are already seeing early results of progress,” said GSC President Dr. Kirk A. Nooks. “Whether notable advances in the college-going rate for some of our Districts, or the rise in Dual Enrollment students, the work is taking shape. We are delighted that 13 school districts and over 70 participants have decided to continue this shared journey. This is truly the Power of WE.”