The search is underway for a new President of Augusta Technical College, following Dr. Jermaine Whirl’s move to Savannah State University.
The position has been posted in the Careers section of the State of Georgia’s website. It lists seven areas of expertise the ideal candidate will have. Dynamic Leadership; Financial Acumen and Vision; Fundraising Expertise; Community and Industry Engagement; Workforce Development Leadership; Higher Education Insight and Strategic Relationship Building.
Mark Peevy, Chief of Staff at the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), told ABD that a local search committee, comprised of people from communities served by Augusta Tech, is being formed. It will be led by the individuals who chair the Augusta Tech Foundation’s board and the school’s board of directors.
“That group will get the first chance to review all the applications that come in. They’ll choose the handful of folks that they want to interview,” he explained. “The top three or four, depending upon how the local group feels, will get forwarded on to Commissioner Dozier, and he’ll run an interview process of those folks, make his choice, and our State Board will ratify shortly after that.”
While the search is underway, Augusta Tech Provost Dr. Melissa Frank-Alston will serve as interim President. Frank-Alston has been with Augusta Tech for 20 years, having also served as Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs and Vice President for Student Affairs.
“Dr. Frank-Alston is a dedicated and accomplished leader with a deep commitment to student success and workforce development,” said TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier in the news release announcing the appointment. “Her decades of experience and leadership at Augusta Technical College will ensure a seamless transition as the college continues to provide high-quality education and training to students in the region.”
Dozier was one of the leaders participating in a farewell celebration for Dr. Whirl on March 20. Dozier joined TCSG as then-Augusta Tech President Terry Elam was retiring. Dozier said it was the first college presidency he had to fill as the new commissioner.
“What we found with Dr. Whirl was somebody who brought vision, who brought innovation, and someone who brought excitement and energy,” said Dozier. “We have a foundation because of his leadership that puts us on the pathway for Augusta and Augusta Tech to have long-lasting partners, leadership that makes a difference and graduates from a college that really fuels the economy in this area.”
In his five years with Augusta Tech, Whirl brought the footprint of the campus into the heart of Augusta. He championed the creation of a health sciences campus at the Summerville Hospital, the automotive campus being built in the former Johnson Motor Company on Walton Way, and Accelerate Augusta, a microenterprise center in the old Chamber of Commerce building on Broad Street.
“We were a hidden jewel. That’s what I heard from many, many individuals. And I think for us to be a true community college, we need to be in the community,” he told ABD in his final news conference. “Giving credit to my board, we had a pretty aggressive plan to do that and make sure that we get out to every corner of the community, and including our rural communities as well. And we’ve done that in a very purposeful way, a meaningful way.”
Whirl said he hopes Augusta Tech and its partners can bring to fruition the advanced manufacturing facility in Columbia County, as well as building student housing on-campus and bring back a football program.
Applications are being accepted by TCSG. To request an application packet, contact Terry Gainer at TGainer@tcsg.edu or 404-679-1364. Applications must be received by May 1, 2025.
