During the month of April, we celebrate Second Chance Month and the Reentry Services that support safe and successful criminal justice outcomes. Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) takes pride in spotlighting the remarkable journey of Jessica Mcgrotha. Her story encapsulates the essence of second chances, the power of opportunity, and the transformative potential of recovery.
Jessica Mcgrotha, an Adult Education graduate from SRTC, achieved a significant milestone by earning her GED in 2022. Jessica was also selected as SRTC’s 2023 Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) delegate, which recognizes and honors students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their adult education classes.
Before earning her GED at SRTC, Jessica graduated from our Thomasville Day Reporting Center classes. Jessica was battling addiction and found herself in a situation that made her want to turn her life around and pursue her “second chance”. She sought support through The Potter’s House for Women, a residential discipleship program that became instrumental in reshaping her outlook on life. As a part of her addiction recovery process, she began pursuing a goal that she had never considered achieving: earning her GED. She took advantage of the free Adult Education courses at SRTC.
Reflecting on her experience, Jessica emphasizes the impact of opportunity offered by SRTC’s Adult Education program: "My experience in the Adult Education program at Southern Regional can be summed up in one word: opportunity." Jessica recognized that getting an education was the next step for her personal and professional advancement. She was determined to earn her GED. Despite being nervous, Jessica took the chance. She was confronted with disappointment after failing the math portion of the test on her first try, but she did not give up. Jessica owes much of her success to Margaret Kelly, her GED teacher at SRTC, “Miss Kelly was patient with me and there for me through my highs and lows. She is an amazing teacher, and I would not have made it without her.” Jessica passed her GED math test in April 2022, followed by the successful completion of her remaining exams in September of the same year.
While Jessica was working toward her GED, she decided to take a free forklift driving class through SRTC and earned her forklift certification. She has worked as a forklift operator ever since, but that is not where Jessica’s dream ends. She starts school in the fall in Interdisciplinary Studies, where she will begin her core classes on her way to becoming a Medical Lab Technician.
Jessica expresses gratitude to the supportive community at SRTC, “I am grateful to everyone at the Adult Ed program at Southern Regional. I know there are many people in the state of Georgia who can benefit from the Adult Ed programs by getting the same kind of opportunities.” To others who are going through hard times and need a second chance, Jessica says “Just keep going. I was nervous but determined to make something of myself. You can do it, too.”
At SRTC, we remain committed to fostering educational environments that empower individuals like Jessica to embrace second chances. Throughout reentry classes at the Thomasville Day Reporting Center and the Tifton Day Reporting Center, we offer a second chance to individuals seeking to rebuild their lives and pursue an education. Jessica’s story serves as a reminder that with determination, resilience, and support, second chances can pave the way for new opportunities.
SRTC offers over 150 degree, diploma, and certificate programs that are designed to get you quickly into your desired career, and 28 general education courses that transfer to the University System of Georgia institutions and 19 private colleges and universities in Georgia. SRTC has instructional sites located in eleven counties across Southwest Georgia for the convenience of our students. The College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. For the most up-to-date information on registration, class dates, and program offerings, log on to www.southernregional.edu or call (888) 205 - 3449.
Summer semester begins May 13. Don't wait, enroll today!