Out of 22 technical colleges, Savannah Technical College (Savannah Tech), the leading provider of career-ready technical education and workforce development in Coastal Georgia, achieved rare dual accolades at the 2026 Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Leadership Summit held at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta.

Early Childhood Care and Education instructor Stephanie Grant was named the First Runner-Up for the state Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction, and Master Barbering student Javiera Scott was honored as a state finalist for the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL).

To capture the First Runner-Up title for the Rick Perkins Award, which recognizes the most outstanding technical education instructors in Georgia, Grant shined through rigorous local, regional, and state-level evaluations. This placement distinguishes her as the number-two technical educator in the entire state.

A proud product of technical education herself, Grant’s approach to the classroom is transformative. Inspired by her mother’s legacy as a teacher, she views her role not just as an instructor, but as a community builder. She empowers her students with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to step into the workforce with absolute confidence, knowing that the educators she trains today will directly shape the lives of the next generation.

Now in its 54th year, the GOAL program honors excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students. Having already earned a cosmetology credential, Scott chose to further her education in Savannah Tech’s barbering program to develop a well-rounded skill set and broaden her professional options. Excited by the constant evolution of styles and trends in the industry, Scott aims to one day teach barbering while continuing to work in the field and share her experience at hair shows, workshops, and conferences.

"We are incredibly proud of Stephanie for being named First Runner-Up in the state, and of Javiera for her distinguished recognition as a state finalist," said Dr. Ryan W. Foley, President of Savannah Technical College. "Javiera and Stephanie perfectly embody the transformative power of technical education and the exceptional caliber of our campus community."