The NWI� Academy has been named a Finalist in the extracurricular program category for the 2013 Georgia STEM Education Awards. The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of Georgia's technology industry, made the announcement in a live broadcast on August 30.

The Georgia STEM Education Awards recognizes schools, programs, and companies for outstanding efforts and achievements in supporting and promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Education in Georgia.

The Nuclear Workforce Initiative (NWI�) Academy is an experiential learning program designed to introduce students to career opportunities in the nuclear industry. During the summer program students experience the challenges, expectations and vast opportunities of the nuclear industry. Students earn industry credentials and college credits as they interact with nuclear industry professionals, visit nuclear facilities and develop personal skills. A primary focus of the program is to help students understand ways to attain a nuclear career through a variety of training and education programs. NWI� Academies are a collaboration of the SRS Community Reuse Organization, Aiken Technical College, Augusta Technical College, local workforce partners and the Center for Energy Workforce Development. 

"Ensuring we have a workforce ready when we need them is critical for our Energy Industry including building and maintaining generation in Georgia and South Carolina," Debra Howell, Workforce Development Manager for Georgia Power and Georgia Energy and Industrial Construction Consortium (GEICC) Education and Policy Chair,said. "Programs like the NWI� Academy raise awareness of such careers to youth that normally would never be exposed to the opportunities of our industry."

"It was truly a challenge for our judges to select the 2013 finalists from among more than 170 applicants from around Georgia," said Michael Robertson, Executive Director of TAG Education Collaborative. "We must continue building a wave of activities that will prepare our students for the global workforce they will inherit, and we hope recognizing these organizations and their programs will raise awareness on the importance of STEM education for our state's economic future."

Winners in each category will be announced at The 2nd Annual Georgia STEM Education Awards event held on September 27th at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center in Savannah, Georgia. 

Click here  for more information about TAG and the 2nd Annual Georgia STEM Education Awards.  

On Thursday, September 12, 2013, a workforce restructuring announcement was made by Savannah Site Remediation - SRR (Liquid Waste Contractor). As a result of continuing fiscal challenges 465 employees (Friends, Family, and Neighbors) will go through an involuntary separation program with separating employees' last day on the SRR rolls being September 27, 2013.

As reported in the SRSCRO May 2011 Economic Impact Study of SRS, for every $100 million change (up or down) in SRS spending, the results are an approximate $50.6 million change in SRS expenditures in the five-county region, and plus or minus 466 SRS employees from the region. The total employment impact of a $100 million change in SRS expenditures is 989 jobs and a $101.4 million negative or positive impact on output.

The current budget projects cut the legacy liquid waste stabilization and disposition (SRR Contract), or the emptying of the liquid waste tanks, $101 million. Sadly, the Economic Impact Study numbers appear to be accurate and have real world consequences.

A workshop designed to communicate information about environmental radiation, energy and technology is expanding.  In July, the Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored the annual teacher education program titled TREAT (Teaching Radiation, Energy and Technology) for more than 25 local educators.   The program has been expanded recently to include sessions for community leaders also.

In September, the TREAT workshop will be presented for community leaders in Burke County.  Last year, a similar workshop was held in Aiken and was well-received by local community representatives. 

The September TREAT workshop will include a focus on nuclear career development provided by the SRSCRO Nuclear Workforce Initiative and Southern Company.  Representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions and DOE will provide information and demonstrations about environmental monitoring and the basics of radiation.  TREAT workshops enhance public understanding of the nuclear industry in our region.

Dr. Sandra J. Jordan became the fourth Chancellor of the University of South Carolina Aiken on July 1, 2012 and, as Chancellor, serves as the chief executive officer and principal spokesperson for the University. Prior to becoming Chancellor, Dr. Jordan served as Georgia College & State University's Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. In that leadership position she served as a senior member of the president's cabinet and as chief academic officer for the University.   

Additionally, Dr. Jordan served as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Mississippi University for Women in Columbus. Prior to that position as Associate Provost and Dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts at Murray State University (Kentucky), Dean of Fine Arts at Eastern New Mexico University, and Chair of the Department of Art and Interim Dean at the University of Montevallo. Dr. Jordan taught art and architectural history at  Auburn University and the University of Georgia, but began her administrative career at Lander University in 1986 as an Assistant Professor of Art History and Director of the Monsanto Gallery.   

Dr. Jordan received her Doctorate (Ph.D.) and Master of Arts degree in the History of Art from the University of Georgia, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in art (with teaching certification) from the University of Alabama. Her teaching and scholarly interests include 17th and 18th iconography and intellectual and art history from the Renaissance until the advent of Modernism. She is an award winning teacher and an active scholar and grant recipient, writing and presenting on art historical and higher education topics.

Dr. Jordan attended the Management Development Program at Harvard University's Institute for Higher Education; the 21st Century Leadership Institute sponsored by ALIA and AASCU, and was a summer fellow at Vanderbilt University's Institute for Higher Education Management. A student of leadership, she is often asked to mentor new leaders at the state and national level. While in Georgia, she was appointed by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal to a task force to redesign the model for funding higher education in the state of Georgia. Dr. Jordan was awarded a letter commendation for her volunteer work on behalf of the arts by Kentucky's Governor Patton, who also designated her a Kentucky Colonel.

Dr. Jordan is an active member of the community, serving on numerous boards and civic clubs and is committed to providing opportunities for USC Aiken to expand civic engagement. Additionally, she serves on the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Colleges board of directors; the SRS Community Reuse Organization (SRSCRO) board; the Nuclear Workforce Initiative (NWI) Task Force; the Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness (CNTA) and the Peach Belt Conference Board of Directors. Dr. Jordan is also a member of the Rotary Club of Aiken and the Aiken Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Jordan has been married for 31 years to Michael Jordan, an architect and graduate of Clemson University. They have a son, Matthew, who is a doctoral student in electrical engineering at Georgia Tech. Dr. Jordan and her husband Michael reside in Aiken.