APD Sgt. Charlie Roberts named Albany Tech’s 2019 GOAL winner

ALBANY — Late last week at the Albany Rotary Club’s weekly meeting, a panel formed by the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce named the Albany Technical College 2019 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner. Charlie Roberts, a Criminal Justice Technology student, will represent the college for 2019 as the GOAL Student of the Year.

Albany Tech’s nominees for GOAL included Kimberly Adams, Sarah Braziel, Cameron Fountain, John Hudgens Jr., Ebony Johnson, Matthews Scruggs and Tracy Taylor.

The final four GOAL nominees were Hudgens, (Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology); Johnson (Carpentry); Scruggs (Culinary Arts), and Roberts (Criminal Justice Technology).

Roberts, a sergeant with the Albany Policy Department and a full-time student at Albany Tech, was nominated by Criminal Justice Technology instructors Lakesha Bryant and Lynn Miller. Roberts will graduate in May with an associate of science degree in Criminal Justice and then continue his studies to earn an associate of science degree in Cyber Crimes Investigation.

“Sgt. Roberts brings real-life experience into the classroom with his more than 23 years in law enforcement,” Bryant said. “He is a diligent student with a strong work ethic. His strong organizational skills have allowed him to balance a stressful career with the demands that accompany a full-time college student.”

Added Miller: “If I had to say one thing about Charlie, it would be about his courage. Of course, it takes courage to be a police officer, but it also takes courage to return to college as a nontraditional student. His presence in our program has brought so much enrichment to the classroom. His passion for his career and community inspires all of us — students, instructors and staff.”

Roberts said it took the encouragement of his family for him to return to school.

“My wife of 32 years and my four daughters motivated me to get a college education,” he said. “My efforts, however, were met with many failed attempts. I was working, providing for my family and distracted with life’s issues.

“I have discovered that a technical education affords a student the best of both worlds: On one hand you receive real-world training and on the other hand the traditional college classroom experience. If there is a message in my story, it’s that it’s never too late to learn. I spent many years involved in my career at the expense of my personal goals, not realizing that there were ways to succeed at both. Now, the goal line is in sight and I’m ready to score.”

The regional competition for the Technical College System of Georgia Southern Region, which includes Albany Technical College, Coastal Pines Technical College, Ogeechee Technical College, South Georgia Technical College, Savannah Technical College, Southern Regional Technical College and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, will be held Feb. 21 at the Tifton Campus of Southern Regional Tech.

The TCSG state competition is set for April 15-18 in Atlanta. Each GOAL winner from all 22 technical colleges in Georgia will be represented at the state competition. The state winner becomes the spokesperson for technical education in Georgia for the entire year and is awarded a car from Kia Motors.

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