The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) has recently named a new Interim President of Augusta Technical College, effective April 1.
The current College Provost Dr. Melissa Frank-Alston will assume leadership following the appointment of current President Dr. Jermaine Whirl as President of Savannah State University, according to a press release from Augusta Technical College.
TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier praised Frank-Alston’s dedication to higher education.
“Dr. Frank-Alston is a dedicated and accomplished leader with a deep commitment to student success and workforce development,” Dozier said. “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.”
Frank-Alston brings nearly 30 years of experience in higher education, including almost two decades at Augusta Technical College.
Since joining the institution in 2005, she has held several key leadership roles, including Provost, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness & Research, and Vice President for Student Affairs.
She has also played a vital role in securing more than $8 million in federal and private grants to support student success initiatives, according to a press release from Augusta Technical College.
A graduate of Penn State University, where she earned a PhD in Workforce Education and Development, Frank-Alston is also an alumna of Leadership Augusta (2007), the Technical College System of Georgia Executive Leadership Academy (2014), and the Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence (2018).
Her contributions to higher education were also recognized in 2018 when she received the Pennsylvania State University College of Education Alumni Society Award for Leadership and Service.
Stating her enthusiasm for the new role, Frank-Alston expressed her deep commitment to the college’s mission.
“I am honored to serve as Interim President of Augusta Technical College and continue our mission of providing high-quality education and workforce training,” she said. “I look forward to working alongside our dedicated faculty, staff, and community partners to support student achievement and economic growth in the region.”
Along with Dozier, Whirl, the outgoing president, also stated confidence in Frank-Alston’s leadership.
“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,” Whirl said.
Beyond her leadership at Augusta Technical College, 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.
Her experience and leadership are expected to guide Augusta Technical College through a smooth transition and continued success, according to a press release from Augusta Technical College.
