Central Georgia Technical College appoints Brittany Lucas as new Vice President of Adult Education

WARNER ROBINS – Central Georgia Technical College recently appointed Brittany Lucas as the new vice president for Adult Education.

A Cochran native, Lucas has 18 years of experience in adult education, workforce development and intergovernmental program management. She shares she was first hired at the institution when it was called Middle Georgia Technical College. 

Lucas has been with the college for 16 years, fresh out of graduating from Wesleyan College where she received her bachelor’s degree in education. She was hired in adult education and interviewed by the previous Vice President, Brenda Brown, who retired after 32 years of service.

“I just kind of feel like I’m coming back home. I feel like I started off here [and] I do feel like it’s a homecoming, I really do,” she said.

From her hiring, she has grown in her expertise and learned more about business, industry, academics and athletics. Lucas received her master’s at Georgia College and State University and her PhD in Adult Education from the University of Georgia in 2016. 

Since she started her career in adult education, she fell in love with it, motivating her to learn as much as possible. UGA was the only university close by that offered a PhD in Adult Education. Although she does not live in the community, she said she knows it well.

Lucas shared she is banned from attending UGA games by her friends and family because every time she goes to a game, they lose. 

Lucas is most looking forward to helping the upper mobility of the community. She shared she worked for a long time in reentry education, which is for those currently serving a sentence in a state correctional facility.

She said her biggest joy and source of meaning is impacting the community’s sustainability and growth. Lucas also looks forward to impacting generations leaving that legacy.

“I think I’m most excited about evolving; seeing how adult education is evolving but making it to where its accessible for all. But we also do an upper mobility. We make sure that we can find the passion of our people, make sure they are well skilled and well trained, make sure that they are ready to enter the workforce so they can earn a high paying wage,” she said.

Lucas also said Governor Brian Kemp has supported sharing high industry, high cost and high demand career industry programs. These programs include anything from diesel maintenance, aircraft structural, welding and joining, nursing and Certified Nursing Assistant.

“We really want to make sure that our group knows that, because all students can do it in our community,” she said.

One of the main things Lucas wants people to know is the college offers a high school diploma program through the adult education division. The college also offers a CPH, a Career Plus High School program. The Adult Education Division also works closely with their Economic Development Division to do certification-based training, like driving forklifts.

“It’s no longer just the GED. There are multiple pathways for our people to take, to either come to college, be in college, to graduate or go to work,” she said.

Lucas’s favorite part of teaching is graduation at the end of every year. She enjoys seeing the joy of families who are there to celebrate a milestone.

“I enjoy a shout from a mama or an accolade from a dad or their children, because we are so proud of our people,” she said.

Lucas enjoys seeing students graduate with their GED and receiving their paper from the testing center saying, “I’m a graduate, I passed.”

“I really do love seeing the family, the family celebrate. We don’t see enough family celebration and I want to see more family celebration,” she said.

In her new role, Lucas said the one thing she would love to do is make sure even those who don’t believe know that education is for them. She believes education can be anything, from receiving a GED, to a high school diploma or technical certificate of credit.

She also wants people to know CGTC is in the community, open and ready to serve. Lucas shared there is a stigma related to adults receiving a GED or going to tech school. This is a stigma she strives to break.

“I just want people to know and feel and believe that there is a place for them here at Central Georgia Tech. There is a place for them to learn and grow in the adult education division at Central Georgia Tech,” she said. “I don’t care [about] your past. All we’re looking toward is the future. It is my hope, it is my prayer that future is for the betterment of your family, for the betterment of your generations, for the betterment of you, society and taxpayers. For all that encompasses.”

Lucas has four children, three girls and one boy. She said they are all Disney fanatics and likes to spend their free time at the parks or at church.

“When not working, you can find us at the Mouse House,” she said.

To find out more about CGTC’s Adult Education Division click here.