Dr. Gemma Frock, the vice president for education and training at Aiken Tech, has worked there since 1993, when she began her career in technical education as an adjunct instructor.
The other finalists are Dr. Perrin Alford, the provost and chief operating officer for West Georgia Technical College in Carrollton, Ga., and Dr. Forest Mahan, the vice president for academics and student services at Northeastern Technical College in Cheraw, S.C., according to a news release from the college.
The current president, Dr. Susan Winsor, is retiring July 1.
The three finalists were selected from 85 applicants, according to the release. Interviews will be held Monday through Wednesday and will include employee meet-and-greet sessions with each candidate.
Frock has served in many roles at Aiken Tech, including coordinator for workplace basic skills programs, basic skills programs assistant dean for leadership and employee development, interim dean for continuing education, dean for continuing education, and vice president for workforce and business development.
She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from the University of Pittsburgh, a degree of advance graduate study from Boston University and a doctorate in philosophy from the University of South Carolina.
Alford began his career in technical education in 1993 as a career services coordinator. At West Georgia, he has been an instructor, business division chairman, vice president for student services and acting president.
Alford received a bachelor’s degree from LaGrange College, a master’s degree in business administration from Mercer University and a doctorate in higher education from the University of Alabama.
Mahan began his career as a history instructor at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, where he later served as dean of arts and sciences. He also was vice president for academics at Northeastern Technical College.
He has a bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston, a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of South Carolina.
