Athens Technical College -
Page 1 of 1
Directory
Contact ATC
Intranet Login
Home
General Information
Current Students
Prospective Students
E-Learning
Department List
Satellite Campuses
Foundation & Board
Alumni
ATC Spotlight
Nelma Hamby named GDOL's Individual Citation Award Winner
Monroe resident Nelma Hamby, the lead instructor for adult literacy at Athens Technical College’s Walton County
Campus, earned the state Department of Labor’s 2011 Individual Citation Award, according to an announcement from the DOL’s
office.
The DOL presented Hamby the award during the 69th annual conference of the Georgia Chapter of the International
Association of Workforce Professionals (IAWP), held recently in Savannah. IAWP is a professional association for members who
work in public and private workforce development programs.
The award is given annually to a person who has made outstanding contributions to employment-related issues during the
previous year.
Hamby was nominated for the award by Janet Hutcheson, employment and training manager of the DOL's Field Services
Division in Atlanta. Hutcheson is a former manager of the Monroe Career Center.
The recognition “humbled and honored” Hamby, she said, adding that she really enjoys her work in adult literacy.
“My job is not “a job,” Hamby said. “Yes, it can be very challenging and stressful, but I really enjoy helping these students
reach their goals so they can have a better life for themselves and their families.”
Hamby has worked with the state of Georgia for almost 24 years. In April she began her 13th year at Athens Technical
College. Prior to joining Athens Technical College, she worked with the state Department of Corrections and then with the
Department of Family and Children Services where she worked with Temporary Aid for Needy Families clients.
“When I came on board at Athens Tech, I was the TANF Adult Education Instructor, and the students were my DFCS
clients that I had been serving as TANF Case Manager at DFCS,” she said. “It was quite a challenge. We had one classroom in the
strip mall across the street from where we are now located. Working with residents at the Alcovy Diversion Center (Dept. of
Corrections) and being a DFCS case manager opened my eyes to the awareness of the needs in our community. So many people
had such overwhelming barriers with doors being shut in their faces. The GED was another chance to change lives. Helping the
students to meet their goals is always so rewarding. We see them return after they pass the GED and share events in their lives. We
can always find something to celebrate.”
Photo caption: State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler, second from right, presents Nelma Hamby, far right, with the 2011
Individual Citation Award. Also pictured are P.J. Schneider, President of the Georgia chapter of the International Association of
Workforce Professionals, and Janet Hutcheson, a DOL staffer who nominated Hamby for the award.
Don Nelson
706 227-5460
http://www.athenstech.edu/Spotlight.cfm?i=362
5/14/2012
���������������������������������������������������������������������������
���������������������������������������������������������������������������������
�����������������������������������������������������