Dr. Jermaine Whirl, Augusta Technical College’s president, has been appointed by the Board of Directors of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) to serve a three-year term on AACC’s Commission on College Readiness. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges. The association represents nearly 1,200 2-year, associate degree-granting institutions, and more than 12 million students. There are nine commissions authorized by the AACC Board. Each commission consists of an average of 24 people from member institutions who are CEOs or administrators. 

The Commission on College Readiness will provide recommendations for consideration to AACC and AASA leadership in the design and execution of the two associations’ joint meetings. The commission also will help to identify promising practices and colleges and K-12 districts that have innovative solutions to advance college-going rates (21st-Century Commission Recommendation 2). The commission will volunteer as needed to assist in designing innovative programming for superintendents and college presidents to foster more effective and efficient relationships between the two associations.

“I’m honored to be selected to serve on this important commission, and I look forward to engaging, exploring, and contributing to the dialogue with other thought leaders across the country,” Dr. Whirl said. “Our ability to further innovate K-12 (CTE) pathways, dual enrollment and early college programs between school districts and two-year colleges is essential for nationwide college completion and talent development in an era of declining birthrates and high school graduates.” 

Whirl, an Aspen Fellow and 16-year veteran of higher education, joined Augusta Technical College on November 2, 2020, as the college’s fifth president. Before accepting the presidency at Augusta Tech, Dr. Whirl served as the Vice President for Learning and Workforce Development at Greenville Technical College. He is a graduate of a technical magnet high school and Trident Technical College in Charleston, SC. He went on to earn a doctorate degree from Valdosta State University.

His appointment to the commission begins July 1 and will continue through June 30, 2024.