Aiken Technical College has named Dr. Forest Mahan, of Cheraw, SC, as the College’s next leader.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Forest Mahan as the fifth President of Aiken Technical College,” said Carlos F. Garcia, chairman of the Aiken County Commission for Technical and Comprehensive Education. “Dr. Mahan brings many years of experience in higher education to the position and we’re confident he will continue to build upon the College’s standards of excellence and achievement.”

Dr. Mahan will assume the President role as of July 1, 2016. He is currently the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Services at Northeastern Technical College.

“I am honored to have been selected as the President,” said Dr. Mahan. “I’m excited to work with the students, faculty, staff and administrators at Aiken Technical College. I look forward to becoming an active member of the business community, and advocate for the educational and workforce needs for Aiken County.”

The process to select a new President began in January and there were more than 80 applicants for the position, said Kandy Peacock, Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer with the South Carolina Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education, the agency that coordinated the search.

In addition to Dr. Mahan, the other final candidates were Dr. Perrin Alford of LaGrange, GA and Dr. Gemma Frock of Aiken, SC.

The College’s current President, Dr. Susan A. Winsor, announced in December her intent to retire effective July 1. Winsor has served in the role since September 1999 and was recognized earlier this year for more than 30 years of service with the South Carolina Technical College System.