Impact Update: Second Quarter 2026
2026 Graduation
These smiling faces of students with parents and career coaches attest to the happy culmination of four years of high school. Graduates beamed with pride as they walked across the stage, many wearing honor cords and medallions recognizing academic accomplishments, community service, and career readiness.
Over three quarters of the 2026 graduating class participated in the Thillen Education Foundation career coaching program and for the third year in a row achieved a 100% graduation rate. Importantly, the 72 students in the program earned financial assistance totaling $333,000 to help them on the next step of their life’s journey including continuing education, military service, joining the workforce or beginning a business.
Eight Years and Counting
May 24, 2026 was the end of our school year. It was also the end of the eighth year of the TEF Career Coaching Program. So, how are we doing?
Our Impact at a Glance
1,000+ Students Served
300 Volunteer Career Coaches
100% Graduation Rate
83% Continue Education or Receive Financial Assistance to Begin Careers
3,000 Student/Career Coach Meetings Each Year
1,000 Student Recognitions Each Year
4,000 Parent Engagements Each Year
265% Increase in Work-Based Learning
$1Million Awarded in Financial Assistance
School Leadership Change
Superintendent Dr. Aaryn Schmuhl recently announced two leadership appointments designed to shape the future of Greene College & Career Academy and Greene County High School.
Mariana Soca-Harrison has been named CEO of the Greene College & Career Academy (GCCA) after serving as the district'S CTAE Director and playing a key role in the academy's growth since its inception. With more than 21 years of experience in education and workforce development, she has helped expand career pathways, strengthen partnerships with business and industry, and created meaningful opportunities for students.
Kerry Flores is joining Greene County High School as principal. She is an experienced instructional leader who returns to Greene County after serving in leadership roles in the Richmond County School System. Flores began her career in Greene County as a mathematics teacher and has since built extensive experience supporting student achievement, developing educators, and leading school improvement initiatives.
Together, these accomplished leaders bring a shared commitment to student success, strong instructional leadership, and preparing every learner for the future. Please join us in welcoming Ms. Soca-Harrison and Ms. Flores to their new roles.
“Want Students to Succeed? Don't Give Up On Parents”
This is the title of a Forbes article published in September 2024 specifically referencing the Thillen Education Foundation (TEF) taking action to enhance parent engagement. The article quotes "Take Greene County High School, a Title I school in rural Georgia, where community members mentor students to help end the cycle of generational poverty. In partnership with the Thillen Education Foundation, the Greene College & Career Academy (GCCA)...."
Since then, TEF has created additional initiatives designed specifically to keep parents deeply involved with their child’s education. Key initiatives include:
Each year parents must use the school “Parent Portal” to opt-in their children to participate in the TEF career coaching program. The rate averages over 75% per class.
Parents who “Opt-in” their child receive a “Welcome” email containing the student’s career coach’s name, email address and cell number, giving them the opportunity to contact the career coach directly.
Parents receive an email from the TEF Salesforce automated system every time their child has a scheduled meeting with their career coach.
Parents receive an email invitation to recognition receptions where students earn $100 Dave Dollars for career coach recognition, community service, good attendance, etc. Parents who attend receive an additional $25 Dave Dollars to present to their child.
For both the annual “Freshman-Junior Honors Night” and the “Senior Honors Night”, parent who attend receive $25 Dave Dollars that is applied to their child’s financial assistance account.
Parents now receive TEF Quarterly Impact Updates.
CNA Graduates at Honors Night
A total of 17 seniors graduated as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) last May. On Honors Night to help celebrate, the Thillen Education Foundation presented each student with their own professional stethoscope as a reward for their work well done.
Qualifying to be a Certified Nursing Assistant is a rigorous endeavor. In addition to offering challenging curriculum, the school must have a full-time instructor who is a Certified Registered Nurse (RN). Greene College & Career Academy is fortunate to have Candy Arwood (RN) to fill that requirement and lead the required rigorous classroom activities. An additional requirement to achieve CNA certification is for students to complete hands-on clinical training which is accomplished through a partnership with St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital.
CNA certification is an excellent headstart for launching a medical career. Hopefully these ambitious Greene County Tigers will excel and become future Georgia nurses.
Alumni Tiger Spotlight – Zanobia Brown
Four years ago, Zanobia Brown was a member of the first class to participate in the TEF career coaching program for all four years of high school and the first student to be awarded the top scholarship amount of $16,000. She had significant challenges like most of our students, but she also needed to manage being a young mother. As a testament to how hard work and perseverance can lead to success, Zanobia recently graduated Cum Laude from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Exercise Sports Science. Throughout college she maintained a 3.6 Grade Point Average.
She is now attending Georgia State University in the Physical Therapy Program on her way to a bright future. Congratulations Zanobia!
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