GNTC alum helps coordinate Floyd County election poll staff

A Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) graduate has been recognized for her outstanding work as the primary coordinator for election poll workers in Floyd County.

TeCorian Rowland, senior elections technician for the Floyd County Board of Elections and Registration, was raised in Rockmart and attended GNTC’s Polk County Campus. In 2023, she received an associate degree and diploma in Business Technology at GNTC, as well as certificates for Administrative Support Assistant, Microsoft Excel Application Professional, Microsoft Office Application Professional and Microsoft Word Application Professional.

“I am responsible for the management of 250 poll workers, which includes training, scheduling and payroll,” Rowland said. “Along with that, I am in charge of programming election equipment and ensuring the deployment of election equipment during an election season.”

At a recent Floyd County Board of Commissioners meeting, Elections Supervisor Akyn Beck praised Rowland’s job performance.

Beck touted Rowland’s experience in office management and customer service and praised her attention to detail, problem solving and critical thinking skills.

“TeCorian is one of the most well-rounded professionals that I have had the pleasure of working with,” Beck explained. “There is a lot at stake in the election field in integrity and trust, and TeCorian is a picture-perfect example of both. Floyd County Government and the Floyd County electorate are better served with her as an election administrator.”

Rowland said she began working for Floyd County as a front desk clerk in June 2023 while still a student at GNTC. She was promoted to lead elections technician in November. In that role, she took over the L&A (Logic and Accuracy Testing) process, trains poll workers and assists heavily in audits.

“My employer saw my professionalism, determination and ambition, which allowed me to advance in my career,” Rowland said.

Beck said Rowland has exceeded expectations in all roles she has taken in the Floyd County Board of Elections and Registration. She characterizes Rowland as an extraordinarily positive team player who motivates others to be the same.

Rowland said she loves her job because it offers her opportunities to learn and grow and allows her to work with great people who encourage and inspire her to achieve her goals.

“My mother is a business owner, and I have seen her own and operate a successful tax business for 25 years and counting,” Rowland said. “She’s a single mother of four and has been a big inspiration in my choice to enter the business field.”

Rowland said she chose GNTC because it was the most accessible college for her at the time. She began classes in August 2021 in the Nail Technician program. After earning her certificate four months later and passing her state board exams, she returned to GNTC to obtain her Business Technology degree.

“The curriculum provided a strong foundation in business organization,” she said.

Her coursework at GNTC helped to prepare her for her position at the Floyd County Board of Elections and Registration. The Interpersonal and Professional Development course covered career advancement and problem solving and helped her to develop her communication skills, she said.

Since working at the Floyd County Board of Elections and Registration, Rowland says she has become more punctual and responsible and has learned how to take initiative. She pays attention to details while being an active listener.

“My GNTC classes have taught me how to think critically and how to build a bigger network through interpersonal relations,” Rowland said.

“TeCorian’s education at GNTC has propelled her into the amazing election official she is today,” Beck said. “She is not only a top tier election administrator, but gained skills through education that made her a well-rounded member of our team. Her writing and editing skills are top of the line as well as her professionalism.”

Rowland also cares deeply for the electorate and the community, Beck said.

Rowland was on the President’s List and the Dean’s List as a GNTC student. She also received scholarship funding from the GNTC Foundation to help her as she pursued her degree.

Rowland is now pursuing an associate degree in Early Childhood Education at GNTC.

A mother of five children, she has two children and is raising three of her nieces, she said. The children have high aspirations, such as becoming veterinarians, lawyers and doctors.

Rowland said she appreciates the flexibility GNTC offers her as a single parent and full-time government employee.