Kathleen Pichardo, of Dalton, has been chosen to represent Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) at the Dinah Culbreath Wayne EAGLE (Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education) Leadership Institute state competition March 8-10, 2027, at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia.
The Leadership Institute recognizes and honors those students who have demonstrated superior achievement in Adult Education classes and programs. Pichardo earned her High School Equivalency (HSE) through GNTC’s Adult Education program in June 2026. She currently studies Business Management at GNTC’s Whitfield Murray Campus in Dalton and works in hospital admissions.
“Adult Education has changed the way I see myself and my future,” Pichardo said, adding that she wants her life to have a positive impact on others. “My journey has taught me that my circumstances do not have to determine my destination. I have learned that it is okay to start over, ask for help and pursue something for myself.”
Pichardo grew up in the Bronx. She said that as the eldest daughter of immigrant parents, she learned responsibility at an early age and helped her single mother care for her siblings. After the family moved to Miami, she became a mother at age 17.
“I wanted to continue my education, but there were responsibilities I had to take care of,” Pichardo said. “There was no way my mom was going to be able to take care of my siblings, me and my baby girl; therefore, finishing school was one of the things I had to put on hold.”
That choice created obstacles and hardships for her, she said, explaining that by her mid-20s she had experienced homelessness and given birth to her son.
“I had to figure out how to rebuild my life while raising two children alone,” Pichardo said. “Eventually, I received the opportunity to move to Georgia. I arrived here to build something better with just my suitcases and my two kids.”
She said she stayed with her brother while waiting for housing to become available and taught herself to drive. She lives in Dalton.
“Starting over in a new state was unfamiliar and very frightening, but I was determined to create a better, more stable life for my children,” Pichardo said. “I learned that starting over did not mean that I had failed; it meant that I had another opportunity to build something better.”
Caring for her children and her work schedule made it difficult to return to school to earn her HSE. She eventually had to stop work to care for her son.
“That’s when I decided it was finally time to finish what I had started,” Pichardo said. She enrolled in GNTC’s Adult Education program.
“I realized that although I had already proven that I could be successful in the workforce—I had worked my way up to be a general manager and trainer for a great company—the lack of a high school diploma still limited my opportunities,” she said. “I still didn’t feel like I was good enough. No matter how great my resume looked, that diploma mattered, especially for the jobs that offered the schedule I needed to be a mother.”
She said returning to the classroom intimidated her until she discovered how much she enjoyed learning. The support of GNTC’s instructors helped her believe in herself as a student.
Eddie Geier, Adult Education lead instructor at GNTC, nominated Pichardo for the award. He noted how bright and goal-oriented she is and how inspired she was by the Adult Education program.
“Kathleen was extremely committed not only to her own success, but also to the success of her classmates,” Geier said. “She would not quit until she reached her goals. I was inspired by her motivation and quick progress.”
“She helped foster a sense of community among her classmates and consistently encouraged everyone around her,” Geier said, adding that her kindness extends to her local community. “Kathleen takes almost every opportunity she can to help others, and she has the confidence to believe she can make a positive difference.”
“Kathleen’s story exemplifies the perseverance and determination demonstrated by many of our Adult Education students,” said Lisa Shaw, vice president of Adult Education at GNTC. “She is an outstanding role model and an inspiration to others working toward their educational goals.”
“For a long time, I believed that good things were something I had to work hard to provide for everyone else,” Pichardo said. “My education has taught me that I also deserve those opportunities. Today, I’m not just working towards a better future for my children; I’m finally building one for myself, too.”
EAGLE is the first statewide program in the nation that recognizes and rewards excellence among students enrolled in Adult Education programs. This student recognition program is designed to create greater awareness of educational opportunities that are available in local communities across the state and to foster greater involvement in lifelong learning pursuits.
The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), through its Office of Adult Education (OAE), sponsors the annual Dinah Culbreath Wayne Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) Leadership Institute.
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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