Hartley-Cowden named dean of Savannah Tech adult education
Special to the Herald
Savannah Technical College has recently selected Heather Hartley-Cowden, Ph.D. as Dean of Adult Education. Dr. Hartley-Cowden will manage adult education programs for individuals and employers throughout the College’s four-county service area (Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty counties). Her other responsibilities include:
- Administering instructional services for adult education students;
- Promoting the adult education program to public and private organizations;
- Preparing the specifications and managing the program budget;
- Overseeing administration of assessment and student placement tests for adult education students;
- Creating and maintaining a high-performance environment characterized by positive leadership and a strong team orientation
“We’re thrilled to have Dr. Hartley’s expertise and leadership in Adult Education guiding this vital program for our community,” said STC Vice President of Economic Development Tal Loos. “Her experience positions our Adult Education program for new levels of success and impact in the years ahead.”
She has more than 20 years working in the education field. Her approach to teaching and learning includes a holistic framework that tailors programs to meet the learning community’s curriculum, instruction, and assessment needs. As an educational leader, Dr. Hartley-Cowden focuses on crafting services to identify and support the needs of the whole learner: evaluating academic readiness and skill mastery; screening and monitoring MTSS progress; screening and implementing SEL programs.
Dr. Hartley-Cowden holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Educational Psychology from the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, N.C.; a Master of Arts degree in English Education from Piedmont University in Demorest, Ga.; and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Business Administration from Northcentral University in San Diego, Calif.
In her previous leadership roles, Dr. Hartley-Cowden has served as the academic program coordinator and student services administrator at Dublin City Schools; the assessment program coordinator at the Georgia Center for Assessment, part of the College of Education at the University of Georgia; and the director of assessment at WorldRight Learning Group.
Savannah Tech’s Adult Education Program offers high school equivalency (HiSET/GED/Career Plus High School Diploma) preparation and testing, adult literacy programs, English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, civics education, family literacy programs, and workforce training.
Free GED® prep serves those who need to improve their basic literacy and math skills, improve their oral and written English, practice for the GED® test to attain a high school equivalency degree, and prepare for college. Instructors also help students with science and social studies test preparation for GED® testing. STC teaches adult education classes in the morning, afternoon, evening and online. They are offered in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties with multiple locations in each community. Adult education classes for GED®-prep are currently free for all U.S. citizens. To register for free GED® classes, call 912.443.5446 or visit www.savannahtech.edu/FreeGEDClasses. For GED® testing information, go to www.ged.com to sign up to take test or go to www.savannahtech.edu/testingcenter to learn more about our testing locations.
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Be alert for fraud after Hurricane Heléne
FEMA assistance is free
Special to the Herald
ATLANTA — Georgians should be aware that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud or identity theft after Hurricane Heléne. In some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses, and Social Security numbers they have stolen from people affected by the disaster.
If a FEMA inspector comes to your home and you did not submit a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge to create a FEMA application. If this happens, please inform the inspector that you did not apply for FEMA assistance so they can submit a request to stop further processing of the application.
If you want to apply for FEMA assistance after stopping an application made in your name without your knowledge, the helpline will assist you in creating a new application.
Beware of scams
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews, housing inspectors, and other officials will be working in areas impacted by Hurricane Heléne. They carry official photo identification badges. FEMA representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications. Their services are free.
Don't believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment.
Don't give your banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector. FEMA inspectors are never authorized to collect your personal financial information.
If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately to your local police or sheriff's department or contact Georgia’s Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division by calling 404-651-8600 or toll-free 800-869-1123. Consumers also may visit Storms and Fraud | Georgia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division for more information.
If you have knowledge of fraud, waste, or abuse, you can report these tips – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. You can also email StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov to report a tip.
For the latest information about Georgia’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4830. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.
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Judge Realty promotes Mandy Henderson to sales director
Special to the Herald
A licensed Realtor®, Henderson joined Judge Realty in 2021. During her tenure at the firm, she has closed nearly 100 deals including residential sales, commercial sales, landlord representation and tenant representation. Her commercial focus includes retail and office space throughout the greater Savannah area.
“Mandy is hard-working, loyal and passionate about Savannah’s real estate market,” said Lori Judge, founder and CEO of Judge Realty. “She serves as a valuable resource for Judge Realty’s commercial and residential clients.”
A Colorado native, Henderson attended Colorado Mesa University before transferring to the University of Georgia in 2017 to pursue a degree in Sport Management and a minor in Business. Henderson has been a resident of Savannah since 2021.
