Techmazing’s Van Crawford Named Finalist for Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership

When the Technical College System of Georgia announced its finalists for the prestigious Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) this year, one name stood out to many in our community — Van Crawford, a valued member of the Techmazing Heating & Cooling team and a student at Athens Technical College.

 

The GOAL program, which began in 1972, recognizes the most outstanding students across Georgia’s 22 technical colleges. Each year, instructors nominate students who exemplify excellence in academics, leadership, and service. From those nominations, local winners advance to regional competitions, and ultimately, a select group of nine finalists are chosen to represent the very best of Georgia’s technical education system.

 

Van’s recognition as one of this year’s finalists is no small feat. It places her among the top students in the entire Technical College System of Georgia — a distinction earned through talent, commitment, and an unwavering drive to succeed both in the classroom and in her career.

At Techmazing Heating & Cooling, Van is known for her professionalism, dedication, and genuine care for customers. Whether she’s assisting a client, coordinating with the service team, or helping behind the scenes, Van brings the same energy and excellence that earned her a place among the state’s top technical students.

 

“Van represents what being Techmazing is all about,” said a company spokesperson. “She’s hardworking, humble, and always eager to learn. We’ve watched her grow both personally and professionally, and we couldn’t be prouder to see her represent Athens Technical College and our community on this level.”

 

The GOAL program doesn’t just celebrate academic success — it highlights the power of technical education to transform lives and strengthen Georgia’s workforce. Winners serve as ambassadors for technical education throughout the year, speaking at civic clubs, schools, and business events across the state.

 

For Van, this recognition reflects not just her own achievements, but also her belief in lifelong learning and community service — values she demonstrates daily through her work with Techmazing and her studies at Athens Tech.

 

The final round of the statewide competition will determine the TCSG Student of the Year, who will receive a new Kia Sportage from Kia Georgia and serve as an advocate for technical education across the state. Regardless of the outcome, Van’s accomplishment as a finalist already marks her as one of Georgia’s brightest emerging leaders.

From all of us here in Loganville, congratulations to Van Crawford — a shining example of leadership, dedication, and the incredible potential within Georgia’s technical college students.

 

---

About the GOAL Program:
The Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership is an annual recognition program of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). It honors students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and service to their communities. Each of Georgia’s technical colleges nominates one student, with finalists advancing to a statewide competition to select the Student of the Year.