Gwinnett Tech Names Dr. Cassandra Baker Instructor of the Year

Dr. Cassandra Baker, Business Management instructor at Gwinnett Technical College, was recently named the Gwinnett Technical College Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year. The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction began in 1991 and is designed to recognize and honor technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields.

“To represent Gwinnett Tech as Instructor of the Year means that I am the current torchbearer for excellence and innovation in teaching. It means that I have earned the trust and respect of my peers and the administration, and I am an ambassador for Gwinnett Tech and technical education. I am truly honored and humbled to represent Gwinnett Technical College and be an ambassador for Georgia’s Technical College System,” states Dr. Baker.

When asked what inspires her, Dr. Baker says, “Teaching the next generation of leaders. I feel like I am part of something greater than myself. People are in school to become better; the process inspires me. It is a humbling experience.”

Dr. Baker’s love for teaching, her skills as a mentor, and her ability to relate to her students earned Baker the title of the 2021 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction. This award is a statewide program initiated by the Technical College System of Georgia to honor outstanding instructors at the system’s 22 colleges. Baker will now compete against the winners from Georgia’s other technical colleges at the regional level.

Dr. Baker holds a Ph.D. in Organization and Management from Capella University, a Master of Business Administration from Brenau University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Shorter University. Prior to joining academia, Baker spent 15 years with Ford Motor Company and Volvo Cars of North America. Baker resides in Sugar Hill.