Two scholarships awarded through Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) are helping a stay-at-home father complete his associate degree in Cybersecurity.
Greg Huff, who grew up in Chattanooga, attended GNTC’s Whitfield Murray Campus in Dalton and completed his classes in July. A first-generation college student, he and his wife live in Dalton with their 8-year-old son, 3-year-old daughter and newborn son.
“Receiving Selena’s Scholarship was crucial in allowing me to finish my education while my wife was pursuing her master’s degree and working full time, and I stayed home with our children while attending school full time,” Huff said.
Selena’s Scholarship honors the late Selena Magnusson, who was GNTC’s executive vice president of Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success. A Chickamauga resident, Magnusson was employed at GNTC for 26 years in a variety of leadership roles before she passed away in 2024.
“Greg’s scholarship application really impressed the review committee,” said Lauretta Hannon, executive director of Institutional Advancement at GNTC. “From his academic performance to his military service and law enforcement background, we could see he was serious about both his education and helping people.”
Huff, 34, was also among the first 12 GNTC students who received the new Disabled Veterans Support Scholarship in 2026.
Funded by voluntary state income tax return donations, the Disabled Veterans Support Scholarship (DVSS) was created to support U.S. military veterans with service-connected disabilities as they pursue technical education in Georgia and prepare for high-demand careers by addressing the cost of attendance, including tuition, required supplies and other costs.
Huff served in the U.S. Army and the Army National Guard from 2009-19. He subsequently worked as a real estate agent and, for the last seven years, as a law enforcement officer in Hamilton County.
“Greg is one of those students who makes teaching such a fascinating learning experience for me as an instructor,” said Jill West, instructor of Computer Information Systems Technology at GNTC. “Not only does he bring curiosity, determination and a collaborative nature to the classroom, he also brings a decade’s worth of experience in the U.S. Army.”
West said she has always looked forward to his contributions and learning from his experiences.
“While I was a deputy sheriff assigned to court security in Hamilton County, I assisted Information Technology with projects to transition to mostly video court proceedings during the COVID pandemic,” Huff said.
At that time, he decided to change his career path and discovered Cybersecurity as his calling, he said.
“As a police officer, I witnessed firsthand the devastating impact cybercrimes have on individuals and communities. From identity theft to online exploitation, I saw how digital threats can destroy lives,” Huff said. “These experiences inspired me to transition from physical security to cyber defense, where I can continue protecting others—just in a different arena.”
He selected GNTC because the college is close to home and offered an education that would help him achieve his goals, he said.
“The instructors and curriculum have provided me with the tools and confidence I need to build a future in a field that truly matters,” he said. “The hands-on learning and supportive environment make GNTC the ideal place for someone like me who is making a career shift later in life.”
His instructors emphasized the importance of continuing to seek certifications and working toward higher goals, he said. He plans to pursue certifications such as CompTIA Security+ and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) to continue advancing in the field.
Huff said he looks forward to establishing a career in Information Technology and Cybersecurity with a company where he has opportunities for career advancement and continued higher education.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College delivers high-quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students can pursue associate degrees, diplomas and certificates in a wide range of career pathways, including aviation, business, health, industrial and public service. Over the past year, 14,082 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. The college has an annual credit enrollment of 9,342 students and achieved a 100 percent placement rate. An additional 4,740 individuals are served through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start® programs.
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