Media release from Georgia Northwestern Technical College:
Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) has named Adi Baxter, Learning Management System specialist at GNTC’s Walker County Campus in Rock Spring, as its 2025 Staff Member of the Year Award winner.
The award recognizes GNTC staff who make significant contributions to the college and to technical education. Dr. Heidi Popham, GNTC president, presented Baxter with the award on Friday, March 7.
“It was an honor just to be nominated,” Baxter said. “Just knowing that the hard work the Distance Learning team does is recognized and appreciated is rewarding in itself.”
“It wasn’t just me; it was a joint effort,” Baxter said. “I appreciate being part of a team. I consider this award to represent the entire Distance Learning team.”
The GNTC Foundation presented Baxter with $250. She also received a certificate of recognition, GNTC gift basket and the parking space of her choice for one year.
Baxter joined GNTC as an administrative assistant in Academic Affairs in 2019 and became the Learning Management System specialist in Distance Learning in 2022.
As the Learning Management System specialist, Baxter is responsible for the coordination, development, monitoring and completion of project initiatives associated with Blackboard, an online learning platform. She works with GNTC’s Distance Learning team in support of quality assurance and compliance with GNTC’s distance learning policies and procedures and works collaboratively with administrators and faculty from all disciplines and program areas.
The list of 27 nominees was narrowed to three finalists for the award: Baxter; Jason Gamel, director of Recruitment; and Amelia Hunter, Student Services coordinator for Adult Education, Dr. Popham said.
The other award nominees were Toni Adams, custodian; Jill Baker, program assistant for Health Technologies; Grace Beam, director of Distance Learning; Larry Blanchard, director of Advisement; Matt Bryant, director of Enrollment Services; Lydia Gordon, director of Student Success and campus manager; Lauretta Hannon, executive director of Institutional Advancement; Josh Hickman, Military-Connected Services coordinator; Elizabeth Hise, Student Success assistant; Janice Hudson-Huff, administrative assistant for Aviation; Johna Jenkins, director of Student Success and campus manager; Brad Jones, director of Student Accounts; Amber Jordan, director of Marketing and Public Relations; John Lassiter, director of Library Services; Marty Moorehead, coordinator of Academic Support; Micah Mulinix, systems administrator; Ashley Penson, campus police communications/records supervisor; Colton Reaves, maintenance technician; Brandon Roberson, campus police officer; Kevin Smith, systems administrator; Heather Thomas, Student Success assistant; Linda Tinney, Career Transition specialist; Valerie Way, administrative assistant for Academic Affairs; and Mark Williams, custodian.
In this GNTC photo:
Elizabeth Barksdale, director of Human Resources at GNTC (left), and Dr. Heidi Popham, GNTC president (right), present Adi Baxter with a GNTC gift basket in recognition of her selection as GNTC’s 2025 Staff Member of the Year Award winner.