GGC, TAG partner to enhance student experience Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) unites with Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) to offer TAG memberships to students

ATLANTA, GA, October 10, 2010 (Press-News.org) Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) and the _a href="http://www.tagonline.org/"_Technology Association of Georgia_/a_ (TAG) have formed a strategic alliance to greatly enhance the educational experience for the college's students through access to TAG's technology-focused programming, resources and networking opportunities.

The alliance is the first of its kind in Georgia, and thought to be the first in the nation. It will create a wide variety of opportunities for students seeking a technology-based career in a broad spectrum of industries. This partnership supports efforts to develop and retain a qualified workforce to meet high demands for Georgia's fastest-growing and most dynamic range of disciplines, impacting virtually all industries.

"By partnering with TAG, our students will have access to a rich resource that will add tremendous value to their educational program, expand their exposure to professional environments, and give them a jump start on their careers," said Lonnie Harvel, GGC's vice president of educational technology. "TAG's programming will extend our students' learning opportunities beyond the classroom, and increase the marketability of their degrees."

TAG is a 10,000-member _a href="http://www.tagonline.org/"_industry advancement organization_/a_ dedicated to educating, uniting, and informing the Georgia technology community. With nearly 30 profession-specific societies and special interest groups, as well as large award programs like the _a href="http://www.tagthink.com/"_Georgia Technology Summit_/a_ and the _a href="http://www.tagthink.com/"_Excalibur Awards_/a_, TAG recognizes and works with companies using innovation to gain a competitive advantage. It also has technology-focused initiatives in government relations, and K-12 education.

"We are very excited to join GGC in this unique partnership," said Melanie Brandt, TAG's chief operating officer. "Georgia Gwinnett College is an inspirational institution with an energizing mission and truly visionary leaders. Expanding our programs and services to GGC's students, along with their faculty and staff, gives us an opportunity to be innovative with how we continue to define and approach achieving our mission, as well as help GGC achieve its mission."

Key to the partnership is the automatic membership in TAG for all GGC students and employees. With membership comes access to all TAG meetings and members-only events, and discounts on all TAG training programs.

TAG has roughly 150 meetings and educational programs each year, and its societies represent industries ranging from manufacturing and health care to software and entertainment, and functions ranging from finance and international business to product management and information security. As part of the partnership, some of TAG's programs will be held on the GGC campus.

In addition to the educational value of TAG's programs, GGC students and faculty will have multiple opportunities to network and connect with leaders and executives representing various technology-based fields and industries.

While the program is primarily intended for students majoring in technical fields, all students can benefit from the TAG partnership. By extending TAG membership to GGC faculty, the alliance enables them to bring real-world applications of technology into the classroom, enriching the curriculum for all students.

"At GGC, the innovative use of technology is a fundamental part of what, and how, we teach," said Harvel. "Technological competence is fundamental to future success. It is an integral part of every profession. Our alliance with TAG will provide our students access to an incredible spectrum of arenas where their technological skills may be challenged and grow."

About Georgia Gwinnett College
Georgia Gwinnett College is a four-year, accredited liberal arts college that provides access to targeted baccalaureate level degrees that meet the economic development needs of the growing and diverse population of Gwinnett County and the northeast Atlanta metropolitan region. GGC opened its doors in August 2006 as the nation's first four-year public college founded in the 21st century, and the first four-year public college founded in Georgia in more than 100 years. Georgia Gwinnett produces contributing citizens and future leaders for Georgia and the nation. Its graduates are inspired to contribute to their local, state, national and international communities and are prepared to anticipate and respond effectively to an uncertain and changing world. Visit Georgia Gwinnett College's Web site at http://www.ggc.edu

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
TAG is a leading technology industry association dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of the state's technology industry. TAG provides leadership in driving initiatives in the areas of policy, capital, education and giving, and also brings the technology community together through events, initiative programs and networking opportunities. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 27 special interest groups, or societies, including Women in Technology (WIT). Additionally, TAG's charitable arm, the TAG Education Collaborative, is focused on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at http://www.tagonline.org or TAG's community website at http://www.TAGthink.com.

The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support its members by generating opportunities for personal, professional and business growth. By forging strategic alliances, TAG serves as a primary catalyst to foster a rich environment for economic development in Georgia's technology community. TAG is made up of over 10,500 members representing technology leaders from over 1,400 Georgia-based companies, affiliated technology and business organizations. TAGthink is the TAG's community website.