As part of the college’s strategic plan, Dr. Jermaine Whirl, President of Augusta Technical College, established the President’s Leadership Institute for full-time employees. The program is part of the college’s focus on organizational culture and succession planning. Employees had to apply to take part of the program and the process was competitive. The inaugural class has 20 employees and each year the program will accept up to 20. Utilizing select readings, case studies, distinguished guest speakers, service-learning projects, and hosting sessions throughout the Augusta region are unique characteristics of the program.

The six-month program focuses on six major themes:

Understanding the history and mission of two-year colleges
Leadership & community development and engagement
Higher education innovation and diversity, equity, and inclusion
Institutional advocacy, advancement, and policy framing
Best practices, trends, and opportunities in higher education
Career advancing techniques and coaching

This year’s class began April 22nd at Destination Augusta. The session speakers were Dr. Forest Mahan, President of Aiken Technical College; Cal Wray, President of Augusta Economic Development Authority; Robbie Bennett, Executive Director, Development Authority of Columbia County; Bennish Brown, President & CEO of Destination Augusta; Dr. Walt Tobin, President of Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College; and, Dr. Willie Todd Jr., President of Denmark Technical College.

Congratulations to the college’s inaugural class.

Vicki Vandervelde- Academic Affairs

Gabriela Nesbitt- Student Affairs

Angela Moseley- Economic Development

Linda Walker- Academic Affairs

Cornell Scales- Student Affairs

Soheir Rizk- Academic Affairs

Yolanda Burley- Administrative Services

Patrick McCormick-Academic Affairs

Natasha Glover- Academic Affairs

Tangela Smalls- President’s Office

Karissa Wright- Student Affairs

Kendrick Walker- Academic Affairs

Wayne Pace- Academic Affairs

Ebony Story- Academic Affairs

Jan Blackburn- Student Affairs

Donna Wendt- Student Affairs

Lagaile Jones- Administrative Services

LeAnne Lovering- Academic Affairs

Amy Laughter- Student Affairs

Ashley Strong-Green- Academic Affairs