The Richmond County School System (RCSS) named Dr. Tommy T. Welch as its new deputy superintendent of school improvement and strategic initiatives during the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, bringing more than 20 years of educational leadership experience to the district. 

“Dr. Welch will play a critical role in aligning our instructional and organizational improvement efforts across the district,” said Dr. Malinda Cobb, superintendent of schools. “This position was created to ensure we are not only setting ambitious goals for our school system, but also building the systems and accountability structures needed to achieve them. We look forward to working with him as we strengthen how we support schools and measure success.”

Welch joins Richmond County from The Lovett School in Atlanta, where he served as chief culture and community officer. He also worked as a principal coach for Atlanta Public Schools, supporting school leaders to improve instructional practices and student outcomes.

Previously, Welch served as chief equity and compliance officer for Gwinnett County Public Schools, Georgia’s largest school district, and as principal of Meadowcreek High School. Under his leadership, Meadowcreek achieved significant gains in graduation rates, academic performance, and college readiness, earning recognition at the state and national levels.

Welch earned a Doctor of Philosophy in educational leadership from Mercer University, an education specialist degree from Piedmont College, a leadership endorsement from the University of Georgia, and both a Master of Education and Bachelor of Arts from the University at Buffalo. He is also a graduate of Harvard University’s Public Education Leadership Program and the Howard University/AASA Urban Superintendent Academy.

His honors include Georgia Principal of the Year, National Assistant Superintendent of the Year from the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, and Education Leader of the Year from the Southern Regional Education Board.