Higher Education Soars in 2025
mrandolphadvance@gmail.com
The local higher education facilities – Southeastern Technical College and Brewton-Parker Christian University – soared throughout 2025, as they celebrated numerous student accomplishments and a historic rise to university status.
In May, Southeastern Technical College Nursing Student Jason Colbert was named the Technical College System of Georgia State Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) Student. The Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) Student Recognition highlights the importance of technical education, recognizes the outstanding achievements of Georgia’s technical college students, and emphasizes the importance of technical education in today’s global workforce. This statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) honors excellence in academics and leadership.
Being nominated for GOAL is among the highest honors awarded at Southeastern Technical College. A student must have completed 12 credit hours, have at least a B average, and be in good standing at the College. Additionally, the student must recognize the impact of technical education on Georgia’s economic health and be willing to serve as an ambassador for technical education.
Colbert was selected as Southeastern Technical College’s GOAL Student earlier in the year from a pool of eleven candidates, all of which were nominated for the award by their instructors.
After nearly three decades in the healthcare industry, Colbert began STC’s Associate of Science in Nursing-Traditional Pathway program. He has served as chief executive officer of Community Hospice in Vidalia since 2006 and was awarded Hospice Administrator of the Year for the United States in 2024 by the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center. He was named 2016 Business Person of the Year by the Vidalia American Business Women’s Association.
He reflected, “I didn’t know at 16 years old that delivering medical equipment would set the path for me. I spent ten years working at a pharmacy, then helped open a home medical company, and was later offered a position with hospice. Because I didn’t have a degree, something always felt missing. When I began inquiring about credentials, every single facility advised me to attend STC. I wanted to be part of this. Now I see why. STC doesn’t just want us to be nurses; they want us to be great nurses.”
Colbert competed with three finalists from each of the Technical College System of Georgia’s three regions before making it to the state-level competition in Atlanta. During the state competition, Colbert vied for the award against 9 other finalists, and ultimately, claimed the title.
“We are incredibly proud of Jason Colbert for being named the 2025 GOAL winner,” remarked Southeastern Technical College President Larry Calhoun. “Jason exemplifies the drive, skill, and leadership that define our students. His passion for nursing and commitment to excellence make him an outstanding representative for technical education across Georgia.”
As the State GOAL Student Recognition winner, Colbert received a brand new, made-in-Georgia Kia Sportage as a prize for his achievement. He now serves as ambassador for technical education in Georgia and a voice for technical colleges, making many public appearances throughout the year. National Gold Medal
In June, Southeastern Technical College Early Childhood Care and Education Student Abigail Phillips earned a gold medal at the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
This conference brings over 6,000 students together from across the nation, as they show off their best career and workforce skills in various competitions. Phillips competed in the Early Childhood Education competition, as she showcased her classroom management and instruction skills that she has cultivated throughout her education.
The competition required Phillips, who began her education at STC in August 2022 and is nearing the completion of her associate’s degree, to prepare engaging, developmentally appropriate activities for young students. She was then evaluated on her ability to develop and deliver these lesson plans, to demonstrate effective teaching strategies, present a readalong activity, and to complete a formal interview.
This victory showcases Phillips’s knowledge of her future career, and establishes her as one of the most elite students in the nation.
“Bringing home the gold feels amazing,” she emphasized. “There was strong competition in the room from students all across the United States. I’m incredibly thankful for everyone who supported me and those who were cheering for me during the state and national competitions.”
STC Early Childhood Care and Education Program Director Kay Wilson commented on the victory, as she praised both Phillips and Early Childhood Care and Education Instructor Mindy Sumner for their excellence inside and outside the classroom.
“Mrs. Sumner and I have observed Abigail in multiple internship settings, and she is phenomenal. Her classroom management, planning, and rapport with children and parents are top-notch,” she remarked. “Mrs. Sumner’s experience in the public elementary classroom was a stepping stone to her excellence in postsecondary instruction, where she has flourished, which is shown in Abigail’s success.”
Wilson added, “Abigail is a natural educator. She is so genuine and loves what she does. Abigail truly loves children and is perfect for this profession. Her heart, her drive, and her skill make her one of the most outstanding students I’ve had the pleasure of teaching. I am truly blessed to have her in my program.”
University Status
Formerly known as Brewton-Parker College, Brewton-Parker Christian University rose to university status this year, prompting the institution to celebrate the historic change in August.
“Our new university status not only recognizes the academic growth and expansion we’ve experienced, but it also reinforces our mission to prepare students for lives of service, leadership, and Christian witness. Today we celebrated God’s faithfulness and the bright future ahead,” Brewton-Parker Christian University President Steven Echols emphasized.
Brewton-Parker has been a staple of the culture in Ailey and Mount Vernon for over a century, as the college was founded as Union Baptist Institute by McRae Baptist Church Pastor Dr. John Carter Brewton and McRae businessman Charles B. Parker, who envisioned creating a higher learning facility that focused on Christian education for the youth in South Georgia. The effort was also supported by the Telfair and Daniell Baptist Associations, which determined the college’s location at the city limits shared by Mount Vernon and Ailey.
The land for the college was secured by donations from local citizens, as Mr. And Mrs. David Fountain donated 10 acres and a former slave, Warren C. Crawley, donated 5 acres, even though he knew that his children and great grandchildren would probably never be able to attend the institution.
Since its creation, the school has been known by several names – Brewton-Parker Institute, Brewton-Parker Junior College, Brewton-Parker College – it now holds the name which the institution finds to be the most prestigious: Brewton-Parker Christian University. This new identity as a university was celebrated, as the college hosted “Celebrate the U” on August 23.
The event featured alumni sports games, an official ribbon cutting, a convocation, a community meal, and the unveiling of the University’s new alma mater, which was written and arranged by Brewton-Parker Christian University Senior John Wesley Graham.
Nursing Building Groundbreaking Brewton-Parker Christian University celebrated another accomplishment in August, as the higher learning facility broke ground on a new state-ofthe- art nursing facility.
This new facility will be under construction throughout the 2025-2026 academic year, and will feature state-of-the-art simulation labs, classrooms, training spaces, faculty offices, and collaborative learning areas.
Brewton-Parker Christian University President Steven Echols spoke on the occasion. “This groundbreaking is about preparing the next generation of nurses to be both highly skilled healthcare professionals and faithful ambassadors for Christ,” he emphasized. “Thanks to the generosity of federal and foundation grants and individual contributors, this facility will soon become a place where students are equipped to serve with compassion, excellence, and a biblical worldview.”
Echols continued, sharing that the new facility is “a testament to God’s provision” and the shared vision of the college’s supporters, who are excited to see the nursing program continue to grow. The university assures that even in this growth, the institution’s core mission of fostering academic and spiritual transformation in the lives of students remains at the center of all of the college’s endeavors.
The facility is planned to open and host classes in Fall 2026.
Conclusion
Both Southeastern Technical College and Brewton-Parker Christian University are excited for the upcoming year, as they plan to continue to grow to help serve the community.
