The Foundation at Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) announces the fall 2026 recipients of a scholarship rewarding high-achieving first-generation students that was created in honor of a beloved leader at GNTC.

Selena’s Scholarship honors the late Selena Magnusson, who was GNTC’s vice president of Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success. A Chickamauga resident, Magnusson was employed at GNTC for 26 years in a variety of roles. She passed away June 6, 2024.

“This scholarship honors the memory of our cherished colleague whose commitment to student success was at the heart of her work every day,” said Dr. Heidi Popham, president of GNTC. “By supporting first-generation students, we are carrying forward her legacy of empowerment and belief in what our students can achieve. Her impact will continue to be felt through these recipients and their accomplishments.”

GNTC Cybersecurity student Ethan Queen (center) celebrates receiving Selena’s Scholarship; the scholarship honors the late Selena Magnusson, who was GNTC’s vice-president of Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success. (From left) Randall Magnusson, Selena Magnusson’s father-in-law; Staci Brockwell, Selena Magnusson’s sister-in-law; Queen; Dr. Heidi Popham, president of GNTC; and Leigh Anne Pettigrew, director of Workforce and Professional Training at GNTC and Selena Magnusson’s long-time friend. Not pictured is scholarship recipient Crystal Carr, a student in Healthcare Management.

The recipients of the scholarship are Crystal Carr, a Healthcare Management student on GNTC’s Walker County Campus, and Ethan Queen, a Cybersecurity student on the Whitfield Murray Campus. Carr is a resident of Dalton and Queen is a resident of Chatsworth.

“Selena is continuing to improve the lives of students like Crystal and Ethan through this scholarship that bears her name,” said Staci Brockwell, Magnusson’s sister-in-law.

“Our family experienced a mixture of hope, pure excitement and tears as we thought about how proud Selena would be to see these students working so hard to improve their lives,” Brockwell said.

Magnusson began her career at GNTC in 1998. Prior to becoming vice-president in 2019, she served as associate vice president of Student Success, 2018-19; executive director of Student Affairs, 2017-18; Registrar, 1999-2018; and Employability Services case manager, 1998-99. 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.

# # #