CARROLLTON —A West Georgia Technical College administrator has been recognized nationally for her work in adult basic education and GED preparation.

Karen Kirchler, WGTC vice president of adult education, has been named Outstanding Administrator of the Year by the Commission on Adult Basic Education, a 13,000-member organization dedicated to advancing adult education and literacy opportunities.

“We are very proud and appreciative of Karen’s great work and thrilled that Georgia’s adult learners are the ultimate beneficiaries of her leadership and expertise,” said Gretchen Corbin, commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia, which oversees adult education in Georgia.

Kirchler joined WGTC in 2008 after 10 years at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Florida, and has served in her current capacity with WGTC since 2011. She holds a master’s degree in communication from Florida State University.

“I’m honored to receive this award and appreciate the recognition,” Kirchler said. “I know that this recognition is due largely to the success of our program as a whole. I am fortunate to work with an excellent team of talented individuals who are passionate about Adult Education.”

WGTC President Steve G. Daniel praised Kirchler’s leadership.

“COABE is just discovering what we have known all along – Karen Kirchler is a great administrator, a great leader and a great advocate for students,” Daniel said. “Over the past several years, West Georgia Tech has been recognized at the very top of the class for Adult Education and GED preparation in Georgia. She has a great team and they rise to such high performance standards because of her leadership.”

Kirchler was nominated for the national honor by Technical College System of Georgia.

“We were happy to nominate Karen for this national honor,” said Beverly Smith, TCSG Assistant Commissioner for Adult Education. “Karen is a dedicated Adult Education Program Administrator. She is a focused instructional leader whose staff, students and results have excelled because of her guidance.”

WGTC is a leader in adult education among TCSG colleges, according to a press release from the college.

The college offers the program in Troup County at the LaGrange campus and in Hogansville.

Last year, WGTC was recognized as awarding the most GED diplomas in the system. It also has one of the top passing rates in the state at 95 percent.

“West Georgia Technical College embraces our students and supports Adult Education wholly,” Kirchler said. “It’s wonderful to work within a system – the Technical College System of Georgia – that holds adult education as one of its primary missions and really sees the value in Adult Education for our workforce system and for the economic growth of our state.”

“Adult education is extremely important to West Georgia Tech,” Daniel said, “because the GED is the basic credential people need to start on the pathway toward success. We are very proud that Karen is leading the charge in West Georgia and I am truly excited to see her receive this well-deserved national recognition.”