GMC News
GMC welcomes new Sandersville Extension Center Director
(Jeffery Berke is the new Director of GMC's Sandersville Extension Center.)
Georgia Military College named Jeffery Berke as the new Director for its Sandersville Extension Center. Berke is from St. Petersburg, Florida and served five years in the United States Navy as a Petty Officer 2nd Class. He received his Associate’s Degree from St. Petersburg Junior College; a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Florida State University; a Master’s Degree in English from Valdosta State University; and has completed Doctoral course work in Adult Education at The University of Georgia.
Berke was a journalist at the Tifton Gazette and the Warner Robins Daily Sun. He has taught English and Developmental Studies at Middle Georgia College, The Technical College System of Georgia, Georgia College State & University, and was an adjunct English professor at Georgia Military College’s Sandersville Extension Center.
“My focus has always been on developmental studies students, those who are unprepared, because when I came out of the Navy I needed to take developmental studies courses,” said Jeffery Berke, GMC’s Sandersville Extension Center Director. “I hadn’t been in college for five years when I came out of the Navy and because of my experience of having parents who didn’t go to college I wanted to support those people who were going through the same issues.”
The Sandersville Extension Center currently has 146 students and Berke wants to increase that number by involving more support from the community. His mission as the new director is to develop partnerships with organizations and businesses in Sandersville to advance educational opportunities for his students. Berke’s ultimate goal is to promote student success at GMC.
“This is an opportunity to create an environment that supports the region, that supports Sandersville, and focuses on that region,” said Berke. “We’re looking to make significant changes to the campus. We want to do that locally and operate with local institutions and the local library. We want to be a part of the community. We’re going to have a much bigger presence, you’re going to see more organizations for students that have a positive impact in the community. One of these days I want to have a campus here that is a part of the skyline just like GMC-Milledgeville and is the focus of the town.”
