The GAC-Foundation issued a grant supporting the “GAC-Initiative” at Atlanta Technical College (“ATC”) that will play a vital role in attracting under-represented student populations to the German classroom and preparing them for academic success by providing internship, employment, or business opportunities with German companies and organizations both in the U.S. and abroad. The grant will enable to provide minority students with effective educational experiences, including the exposure to the German language and culture, as well as internship and study abroad opportunities that may have a considerable impact on their future professional lives.
To achieve this, there will be a strategic exchange and close cooperation between Metro German Group and German businesses and cultural organizations in order to foster mutually beneficial collaborations and reciprocal and sustainable relationships.
The program is coordinated and supervised by the Metro German Group (MGG) of Atlanta, GA. The MGG formally constituted itself as a consortium of highly motivated German professors representing college-level German programs at eleven institutions in the Greater Atlanta area. MGG’s mission is, among others, to coordinate, promote, and support German programs and to connect with the public at large. See: http://metrogerman.wordpress.com/.
The Metro German Group (MGG) of Atlanta, GA formally constituted itself as a consortium of highly motivated German professors representing college-level German programs at eleven institutions in the Greater Atlanta area. MGG’s mission is, among others, to coordinate, promote, and support German programs and to connect with the public at large.
The grant supports community outreach work that will be assessed in semi-annual intervals. Measurable outcomes will include increased student enrollment in the German language classes; increase in events such as lectures, cross-cultural activities, and work/study-abroad opportunities; and tangible benefits to the GAC Foundation and its members with regard to marketing and exposure to the Atlanta public. Ms. Aleksandra Starcevic (M.A. GSU, 2011) was hired as coordinator of the GAC-Initiative.
Past success with ATC-BMW “Step Program” will likely serve as template for German language/culture curriculum and outreach planning. Development of ATC students’ skills and competencies will require non-traditional pedagogical approaches that meet students’ professional needs, diverse educational levels, and socio-economic considerations. This innovative curriculum with specific benchmarks and deliverables paired with extra-curricular programming will be developed by GAC Coordinator in collaboration with ATC leadership, represented by VP Dr. Rushton Johnson and Director of Continuing Education, Dr. Deborah Johnson-Blake, and MGG leadership.
With the 17-year history of a successful and expanding exchange program with FFB Detmold, and prospects of further employment opportunities for ATC students in South Atlanta, ATC is eager to develop partnerships with employers. Prospects of contact with German companies, which may lead to internship and employment opportunities, are of special interest to ATC leadership and ATC students.