At NextGen Talks, we shine a light on the people, schools, and companies shaping the future of trucking and logistics. This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement to inspire, connect, and celebrate the next generation entering this vital industry.
In a recent episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Gina Smith, an educator at Groves High School in Savannah, Georgia, who has transformed her school’s supply chain and logistics program into one of the most dynamic in the state. What started as a challenge has grown into a powerful career pathway that’s changing lives—for students, families, and the local community.
From Industry to Education
Dr. Smith’s path to teaching wasn’t typical. After 25 years in the automobile industry, she transitioned into education, first teaching college business courses before joining Groves High School nearly a decade ago. She admits she was restless teaching the same material year after year. That’s when her principal and CTA director approached her with an opportunity: to take on the school’s logistics program and “grow the baby.”
“I thought, what am I getting myself into?” Smith recalls. Within 30 days, she completed her Certified Logistics Associate and Certified Logistics Technician exams and became a forklift trainer. That determination set the tone for how she would build the program—hands-on, challenging, and always evolving.
More Than a Program: A Purpose
For Dr. Smith, teaching logistics is about much more than career skills. It’s about giving students opportunities she and her siblings never had growing up in a single-parent household.
Her personal motivation runs deep. During her junior year of high school, her brother was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison. “If we had programs like this back then, his story would have been different,” she says. That conviction drives her to expose students to real opportunities so they can build careers—not just jobs.
Building Partnerships and Credentials
One of the keys to Dr. Smith’s success is her relentless drive to connect students with industry partners. She’s brought 18-wheelers to campus, partnered with emergency response organizations, and connected students with companies like Freightliner, Colonial Group, Hyundai, and Gulfstream Aerospace.
Her students leave with more than a diploma. They earn:
- Certified Logistics Associate and Technician credentials
- Forklift and OSHA certifications
- TWIC cards (Transportation Worker Identification Credentials)
- HAZMAT certification
- Exposure to AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies
These credentials give them an edge in the job market—and the confidence to succeed. As Dr. Smith explains, “I’m not sending you a bunch of mess. I’m sending you serious students who are trained, certified, and ready to work.”
Real Impact: Changing Lives Early
The results speak for themselves. Many of Dr. Smith’s graduates step into jobs paying $22–$25 per hour with no student loan debt. Some are operating cranes at the Port of Savannah; others are working in Gulfstream’s warehouses and safety programs. A few have even bought homes at just 19 or 20 years old.
Parents have noticed too. Some ask Dr. Smith if she can train them alongside their children, and her program has expanded to offer Saturday training for adults in OSHA and forklift safety. “If I can change the socioeconomic situation for a family, I’m going to do it—but you’ve got to work for it,” she says.
Preparing for the Future
What sets Groves High School’s logistics program apart is its adaptability. Dr. Smith changes the curriculum every year to reflect the real-world supply chain environment, from tariffs and automation to artificial intelligence.
Her philosophy is clear: “If you’re teaching the same thing every year, you’re wrong. The supply chain changes constantly, and our students need to be prepared for the world they’re walking into.”
By blending classroom learning with field trips, VR simulators, and real industry experience, she keeps students engaged and future-ready.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Smith is living proof that passionate educators can transform lives. Her blend of tough love, high expectations, and genuine care gives students the skills and belief they need to thrive. As she says, “We do careers, not jobs.”
At Next Gen Trucking, we know the future of our industry depends on programs like hers—and the dedicated teachers behind them. We need a million more Dr. Smiths inspiring students across the country.
👉 Want to learn more about programs like this or connect with Dr. Smith? Visit Groves High School’s website or follow their work on social media.
