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The Student Storyline

The Student Storyline

By: Savannah Technical College
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The Student Storyline is the official podcast of Savannah Technical College, where real students and alumni share inspiring stories of resilience, determination, and career success.

Each episode features authentic conversations with current students, graduates, faculty, and community partners who reveal how technical education can transform lives. From overcoming personal obstacles and changing careers to earning industry credentials and launching rewarding professions, these stories showcase the many paths to success through Savannah Technical College.

Whether you're exploring a technical college, considering career training, looking for workforce development opportunities, or searching for a new career path, The Student Storyline offers an inside look at the people, programs, and experiences that make Savannah Tech a place where futures are built.

Subscribe or follow for inspiring success stories, student journeys, career advice, and behind-the-scenes conversations that celebrate education, perseverance, and opportunity.

Because at Savannah Technical College, success isn't just a goal—it's a story in the making.

Copyright 2026 All rights reserved. Career Success Economics
Episodes
  • From New Jersey to Savannah Tech: Christina Diaz’s Journey to RN and the ER

    From New Jersey to Savannah Tech: Christina Diaz’s Journey to RN and the ER
    29 Oct 2026

    In this episode of The Student Storyline, we sit down with Christina Diaz, a recent graduate of Savannah Technical College's Nursing ASN program, whose journey to becoming a registered nurse is a powerful story of perseverance, determination, and building a better future for herself and her children.

    After growing up in New Jersey and attempting college several times, Christina moved to Georgia determined to finish her education. Her experience working in healthcare eventually led her to pursue nursing, a career she had once believed she would never choose. Through Savannah Tech, she found the opportunity to turn her passion for helping others into a meaningful career.

    Christina's journey through nursing school was filled with challenges, including navigating difficult personal circumstances while raising her children and managing the demands of a rigorous program. With encouragement from classmates, instructors, and college leadership, she found the support she needed to keep going. Her experience showed her the importance of asking for help and recognizing that students do not have to face every obstacle alone.

    Today, Christina has graduated, passed the NCLEX, and officially become a registered nurse. She is preparing to begin her career in the emergency department at Memorial Health University Medical Center, where she hopes to make a difference for patients who are often overlooked. She also plans to pursue additional certifications to expand the care she can provide.

    Christina's advice to students is to remember their “why” and stop waiting for the perfect time to pursue their goals. Her story is a reminder that determination can carry you through even the most difficult circumstances and that it's never too late to create a new future.

    Her message is simple: a lot of things can be taken from you, but your degree is not one that anyone will take from you.

    Start Your Next Chapter Are you ready to launch a new career or take your current skills to the next level? Your success story starts in Savannah Tech's classrooms and labs. Explore the Program of Study, Nursing ASN Program: savannahtech.edu/academics/associate-of-science-in-nursing

    Apply to Savannah Tech today: savannahtech.edu/apply

    Share Your Storyline Are you a Savannah Tech alum who has navigated a major pivot, overcome an obstacle, or launched an incredible career? We want to feature your journey! Pitch your story to be a guest: savannahtech.edu/student-storyline-podcast

    Connect with Savannah Technical College: Facebook: facebook.com/SavannahTech Instagram: instagram.com/savannatech LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/savannahtech Website: savannahtech.edu Podcast Production: deedanielsmedia.com

    FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

    00:00 Podcast Welcome

    00:41 Meet Christina Diaz

    00:57 Journey to Savannah Tech

    03:17 Finding Healthcare Calling

    06:13 Support System and Safety

    09:49 Advice Remember Your Why

    12:53 Graduation and ER Role

    14:22 Future Goals and Certifications

    17:46 Final Thoughts and Wrap
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    20 min
  • Built Through Hard Work: Coda Cole’s Journey from Savannah Tech to JCB

    Built Through Hard Work: Coda Cole’s Journey from Savannah Tech to JCB
    22 Oct 2026
    In this episode of The Student Storyline, we sit down with Coda Cole, Quality Team Lead for Fabrication at JCB, whose journey from Savannah Technical College to a growing career in manufacturing is a story of perseverance, embracing opportunities, and finding motivation through life's challenges. Coda began exploring his future during his junior year of high school, when his mother encouraged him to find a career that would fit his lifestyle. Drawn to welding because he viewed it as an art rather than simply a job, he discovered Savannah Tech's dual enrollment program and began taking welding classes while still in high school. Through the Program of Study, Welding, Coda gained hands-on experience, developed his skills, and discovered a passion for working with his hands. He especially enjoyed learning alongside classmates he had grown up with, supported by an instructor who made the experience engaging and practical. One memorable project involved modifying a lawnmower, transforming it through several different designs. Coda's educational journey took an unexpected turn when he learned he had a child on the way shortly before graduating from high school. Although he had planned to continue developing his welding skills, becoming a father meant entering the workforce sooner than expected. Rather than allowing that change to derail his future, he found a job and continued working toward a successful career. Today, his daughter remains his greatest motivation. While at Savannah Tech, Coda learned the importance of patience, persistence, and taking the time to get things right. Welding taught him that projects don't always go as planned and that mistakes require a willingness to slow down, reassess, and find solutions. Those lessons continue to influence how he approaches his work and his responsibilities today. One of the most influential people in Coda's educational journey was Steven Snelson, his welding instructor at Savannah Tech's Liberty campus. When Coda felt like giving up, Snelson encouraged him to keep going and reminded him that he had the potential to do better. That guidance helped Coda push through challenges and recognize what he was capable of accomplishing. After entering the workforce, Coda began his career at JCB as a welder. Over time, he realized he wanted a new challenge and recognized that his attention to detail and ability to spot small differences made him a strong fit for quality inspection. He pursued that opportunity and continued advancing, eventually becoming Quality Team Lead for Fabrication. Today, Coda's role involves supporting his team, reviewing production reports, conducting inspections, and ensuring work meets the standards necessary to keep manufacturing operations running smoothly. He takes pride in the quality of his work and understands that each person in the production process serves the next person as a customer. For Coda, accountability means standing behind everything he approves. Looking back, Coda is grateful for the opportunities Savannah Tech provided and the foundation it helped him build. His journey is a reminder that life doesn't always follow the plan you imagined, but unexpected responsibilities and challenges don't have to prevent you from moving forward. His message to students is simple: stay focused, keep pushing through challenges, take advantage of opportunities, and never underestimate how far hard work and determination can take you. Start Your Next Chapter Are you ready to launch a new career or take your current skills to the next level? Your success story starts in Savannah Tech's classrooms and labs. Explore the Program of Study, Welding: savannahtech.edu/academics/welding-joining Apply to Savannah Tech today: savannahtech.edu/apply Share Your Storyline Are you a Savannah Tech alum who has navigated a major pivot, overcome an obstacle, or launched an incredible career? We want to feature your journey! Pitch your story to be a guest: savannahtech.edu/student-storyline-podcast Connect with Savannah Technical College: Facebook: facebook.com/SavannahTech Instagram: instagram.com/savannatech LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/savannahtech Website: savannahtech.edu Podcast Production: deedanielsmedia.com FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:41 Meet Coda Cole 01:12 Life at JCB 02:28 From Welder to Quality 04:03 Name Origin Story 04:35 Savannah Tech Beginnings 06:09 Early Projects and Fun 06:41 Big Challenge and Motivation 07:49 Patience and Mentorship 10:14 Joining the Workforce 11:03 Pride and Innovation 14:04 Advice for Future Welders 15:45 Final Reflections and Thanks 18:05 Subscribe and Next Steps
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    19 min
  • From Savannah Tech to Community Leadership: Luella Sanders on Following Your Passion

    From Savannah Tech to Community Leadership: Luella Sanders on Following Your Passion
    15 Oct 2026
    In this episode of The Student Storyline, we sit down with Luella Sanders, Assistant Vice President of Regional Community Engagement at VyStar Credit Union, whose journey from Savannah Technical College to community leadership is a story of perseverance, following your passion, and discovering the power of support along the way. Luella began taking classes at Savannah Technical College while living in Hinesville, Georgia, where her husband was stationed with the military. Although she initially pursued computer science after a high school instructor encouraged her to consider the field, she soon realized her true passion was accounting and finance, a career interest she had held since middle school. Savannah Tech gave Luella the opportunity to explore her interests and build the confidence to continue her education. When her family relocated to Savannah, she transferred to Savannah State University to pursue her bachelor's degree. Her Savannah Tech coursework transferred, helping her move forward without losing the progress she had already made. She later continued her education at Georgia Southern University. As a military spouse and mother of two young children, Luella faced challenges balancing school and family responsibilities while her husband was overseas. Attending evening classes meant relying on community members for childcare and support. Those experiences taught her the importance of asking for help and seeking out the resources available to make her goals possible. Throughout her educational journey, mentors encouraged Luella to keep moving forward. While at Savannah State, Shavon Carr suggested she consider earning an MBA—an opportunity Luella hadn't previously considered. That encouragement helped plant the seed for another step in her education and professional development. Today, Luella's career reflects her passion for helping others. At VyStar Credit Union, she partners with organizations that address community needs, focusing on military families, youth, community-building, and individuals and families struggling to make ends meet. Her work includes supporting organizations addressing food insecurity, housing, transportation, and education. Luella's commitment to service is rooted in her own experiences receiving support from community organizations earlier in her career. Now, she has the opportunity to give back by helping organizations make a difference in the lives of others. After completing her MBA, Luella chose to pursue nonprofit work despite classmates questioning her decision because of the workload and potential financial rewards. For her, making a positive impact mattered more than choosing a career based solely on money. Inspired in part by her grandmother, she has always valued giving back and strengthening her community. Luella encourages students to follow their passion, recognize their gifts, and never feel limited by a nontraditional path. She emphasizes the importance of hard work, authenticity, and asking for support when needed. She also reminds students that taking the first step can expose them to opportunities, mentors, and possibilities they may never have imagined. Looking back, Luella credits Savannah Tech with providing the foundation and encouragement that helped her pursue her educational goals. Her journey is a reminder that success doesn't have to follow a prescribed timeline and that where you begin doesn't determine where you will end up. Her message to students is simple: believe in yourself, take the first step, and don't underestimate the opportunities that can grow from your beginnings. Start Your Next Chapter Are you ready to launch a new career or take your current skills to the next level? Your success story starts in Savannah Tech's classrooms and labs. Apply to Savannah Tech today: savannahtech.edu/apply Share Your Storyline Are you a Savannah Tech alum who has navigated a major pivot, overcome an obstacle, or launched an incredible career? We want to feature your journey! Pitch your story to be a guest: savannahtech.edu/student-storyline-podcast Connect with Savannah Technical College: Facebook: facebook.com/SavannahTech Instagram: instagram.com/savannatech LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/savannahtech Website: savannahtech.edu Podcast Production: deedanielsmedia.com FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:39 Meet Luella Sanders 01:18 Finding Her Path 03:23 Supportive Transitions 05:41 Challenges Overcome 10:04 Community Engagement Role 12:58 Advice For Students 15:41 Savannah Tech Memories 19:05 Final Reflections 20:06 Closing And Next Steps
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    21 min
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