The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) has appointed College Provost Dr. Melissa Frank-Alston as Interim President for Augusta Technical College, effective April 1, 2025

Dr. Frank-Alston will assume leadership following the appointment of Augusta Technical College President Dr. Jermaine Whirl as President of Savannah State University by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

“Dr. Frank-Alston is a dedicated and accomplished leader with a deep commitment to student success and workforce development,” said TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier. “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.”

Dr. Frank-Alston brings nearly 30 years of experience in higher education, including nearly two decades at Augusta Technical College. Since joining the College in 2005, holding several key leadership roles, including Provost and SACSCOC Institutional Accreditation Liaison, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness & Research, Senior Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness & Research, Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs, and Vice President for Student Affairs. She has worked closely with faculty, staff, administrators, and local business leaders to secure more than $8 million in federal and private grants to support student success initiatives.

Dr. Frank-Alston, who earned her PhD in Workforce Education and Development from Penn State University, is also a graduate of several prestigious leadership programs, including Leadership Augusta (2007), the Technical College System of Georgia Executive Leadership Academy (2014), and the Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence (2018). In 2018, she was recognized with the Pennsylvania State University College of Education Alumni Society Award for Leadership and Service.

“I am honored to serve as Interim President of Augusta Technical College and continue our mission of providing high-quality education and workforce training,” said Dr. Frank-Alston. “I look forward to working alongside our dedicated faculty, staff, and community partners to support student achievement and economic growth in the region."

“I have full faith in Dr. Frank-Alston’s abilities to continue the great work of this institution in partnership with our employees, our board of directors and foundation trustees," stated Dr. Jermaine Whirl.

Dr. Frank-Alston serves on the Columbia County Chamber Board of Directors and the Foundation Board of Directors for the South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture at John de la Howe.