A 4C Academy student demonstrates a robot designed and built by students during a tour for members of the WIN Regional College & Career Academy Board, community leaders, and visiting students.

VALDOSTA, GA — One Valdosta Lowndes (OVL) recently sponsored a regional site visit to the Commodore Conyers College & Career Academy (4C) in Albany to gather best practices and strategic insight for the development of the WIN (Workforce Innovation Network) Regional College & Career Academy.

The WIN Regional CCA will serve students from Valdosta City Schools and the school systems in Berrien, Clinch, Cook, Echols, and Lanier counties, providing expanded access to career-focused education and workforce-ready training opportunities across South Georgia.

Members of the WIN CCA Board of Directors and Steering Committee, along with community leaders and high school students, toured 4C Academy to observe firsthand the programs, partnerships, and hands-on training initiatives that are preparing students for high-demand careers. The visit provided valuable perspective as the WIN academy continues to move forward with its mission of equipping students with technical skills, industry-recognized credentials, and meaningful career pathways.

Mary Beth Brownlee, Director of One Valdosta Lowndes and Chair of the WIN Regional CCA Steering Committee, emphasized the importance of learning directly from successful models already serving South Georgia students.

“Visiting 4C Academy allowed us to see firsthand how innovative programming and strong industry partnerships can transform workforce development in a region,” said Brownlee. “It was important for our board, community leaders, and even our students to experience the type of hands-on training and career-connected learning that boosts job skills and creates workforce-ready graduates. As we develop the WIN Regional College & Career Academy, we are committed to building a model that strengthens our regional talent pipeline and supports the industries that drive South Georgia’s economy.”

The 4C Academy serves as a collaborative hub between education and industry, offering students access to career pathways in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and other high-demand fields. Observing its structure and operations provided WIN leaders with insight into facility design, curriculum alignment, employer engagement, and student support systems.

The WIN Regional College & Career Academy aims to mirror and expand upon these successful strategies by fostering partnerships between school systems, local industries, technical colleges, and economic development leaders. By aligning education with workforce needs, WIN will play a vital role in preparing the next generation of skilled professionals while supporting regional economic growth.

One Valdosta Lowndes remains committed to advancing initiatives that connect students to opportunity, strengthen workforce pipelines, and position South Georgia for long-term prosperity.

For more information about the WIN Regional College & Career Academy, contact Mary Beth Brownlee, director of One Valdosta-Lowndes, at mbbrownlee@valdostachamber.com

Chris Hatcher, CEO of 4C Academy in Albany, shared insights with members of the WIN Regional College & Career Academy.