Vicki Harris Austin retires from Georgia Southern Technical College
Published at 4:38pm Monday, December 11, 2023
- Vicki Harris Austin will retire from Georgia Southern Technical College at the end of December 2023. Photo by SGTC
Written by Sue Ann Bird
AMERICA – Southern Georgia Technical College High School Coordinator Vicki Harris Austin recently announced that she has retired from the college after more than 18 years in one department and a total of 25 years in the state of Georgia. She plans to retire at the end of 2023.
“I have a lot of great memories,” Austin said. “South Georgia Technical College is a great place to work. I feel like it’s a family. I have my immediate family, then my family at South Georgia Technical College, and my family that runs the high school. I’ve really enjoyed working with everyone at the college as well as the different high schools we serve.”
During her tenure at SGTC, Austin has had the pleasure of serving for three chiefs. It was initially chartered by President John Johnson and then restored by President Sparky Reeves. Dr. John Watford served as her supervisor when he was vice president for academic affairs before becoming president and has now worked with her in that capacity for more than seven years.
In addition to the three presidents, she also worked with a number of other administrators including retired Vice President for Administrative Services Janice Davis, retired Special Assistant to the President Don Smith, former Vice President for Academic Affairs David Kuipers, and the current Vice President for Academic Affairs. Affairs Julie Partin and Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs Michelle McGowan.
“I really loved working with all of them and the different people at the high schools. I can’t say I’ve ever had a bad experience,” Austin said.
Austin came to work at South Georgia Technical College as a financial aid assistant in 2001. She remained in that position until February 2005. She left the college for approximately 10 months to work as a financial aid counselor with the Georgia Student Finance Commission. She returned in December 2005 to work as the College Communications Specialist and has remained with the college for the past eighteen years working with high school and high school programs to inform and assist counselors, parents, and students in the SGTC admissions process.
“I feel that the 10 months I had left to work with the Georgia Student Finance Commission essentially trained me for the job I returned to South Georgia Tech to do. I was responsible for providing information, conducting workshops, and giving presentations on federal and state financial aid programs including GAcollege411 For high school students, counselors and parents. She traveled the state to represent GSFC at college and career fairs. “When I saw the job posting for College Liaison Specialist open at SGTC, I knew I had to apply,” Austin explained.
I did and the rest is history. She was hired as College Liaison Specialist in 2005 and was promoted to High School Coordinator in 2015. Her job was to work effectively with secondary program directors, high school principals, parents, and students to communicate SGTC admissions and financial aid procedures. and information about testing procedures. She was also responsible for assisting in recruiting and counseling prospective high school students about their interests in SGTC as well as advising students interested in dual/joint enrollment/acceleration programs.
Over the past 18 years of working with high school students, parents and administrators, Austin has touched the lives of thousands of people. “I feel like I had a small role in helping high school students achieve their dreams by helping them get into college and prepare for the future they want,” said Austin, who has been contacted by former students who remember her and thank her for everything. Of helping her.
“Students may not remember what you say, but they remember how you made them feel. And for the past 18 years, I’ve had the pleasure of helping them plan, apply, and pay for college so they can achieve their goals.” Austin laughed and said it’s possible she helped Jaylene of students during her time here. “I care a lot about the students, and if there’s anything I can do, I will do it. I think this is what SGTC does best. “We are doing our best to help the students.”
Vicki Harris Austin and other members of her family have been an important part of South Georgia Technical College for many years. “The Harris-Austin family has deep roots in South Georgia Technical College,” Vicki said. “My aunt, Cheryl Harris Snead, was the first African-American business technology instructor here. My brother, Al Harris, retired from the Economic Development Department at SGTC. My nephew, Dr. Kelby Lamar, taught speech as an adjunct. My niece, Nika Harris Moore, teaches He taught blood draws here, and my son Ryan worked in the Georgia Technical College system with GVTC for four years.
A scholarship has also been established at the South Georgia Technical College Foundation in honor of her father Alfred “Foots” Harris, Jr. and his friend Phil Jones, Jr. It is a Jones-Harris Scholarship and was awarded in the year 2005. 25 students of South Georgia Technical College have benefited from these special scholarships By cars.
Vicki earned her Bachelor of Arts from Clark Atlanta University with a concentration in Business Education. She and her husband, Billy, have been married for 41 years. Both are graduates of Americus High School. Billy retired from the Marine Corps in 1998 and they moved back here. He is back in business and has been with Cooper Lighting here for over 25 years. They have one son, Ryan, who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.
When asked what advice she would give to high school students, Austin responded. “I encourage students to get hands-on training at South Georgia Technical College. If you want to get ahead, do it, but start here and get those skills that will help you earn money while you learn. Education is something that no one can ever take away from you.”
After dedicating several years to Georgia Southern Technical College, Vicki Harris Austin has announced her retirement. Her contributions to the college have been invaluable, and her departure will surely leave a lasting impact. Throughout her time at the institution, Austin has proved herself as a dedicated and driven individual, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered for years to come. The Americus Times Recorder wishes to extend its gratitude to Austin for her hard work and commitment to the college, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors.