Atlanta — Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Ron Jackson has named Terry Elam, the president of Augusta Technical College, as the interim president of Savannah Technical College.
Elam will fill the vacancy that is being created by the departure of Savannah Tech President Bix Rathburn, who is leaving July 15 to become president of Texas A&M University-Texarkana.
Elam has been at the helm of Augusta Technical College since 1997. He will step in and guide Savannah Tech while the TCSG conducts the search and selection process for the college’s next president.
“I’m very grateful to President Elam for his willingness to take on this temporary assignment,” said Jackson. “I requested his assistance because the technical colleges in Augusta and Savannah are of similar size and scope of programs. His years of experience and strong leadership will serve Savannah Tech well while we transition through the process to find a new president of the college.”
Augusta Tech and Savannah Tech have the TCSG’s fourth- and fifth-largest enrollments, respectively. Augusta Tech also has campuses in Thomson and Waynesboro. Savannah Tech has additional campuses at Crossroads, Effingham and Liberty County.
In the coming weeks, Jackson will name a presidential search committee made up of business and community leaders from the area served by Savannah Tech. The committee will conduct a screening and interview process and then name three finalists for interviews with Jackson and his senior staff at the TCSG’s Atlanta office.
Jackson’s selection will be announced after he or she is approved by the state board that oversees the TCSG.
The entire process is expected to take from four to six months.
About the TCSG:
The Technical College System of Georgia oversees 33 technical colleges throughout the state. In 2007, more than 140,000 students attended TCSC colleges, which offer small classes, hands-on experience and focused instructor attention in more than 600 programs, including health care, aerospace, agribusiness, life sciences and much more.
The TCSG also manages the state’s adult education and GED programs as well as Quick Start, an economic development incentive for attracting new investment to the state and promoting job creation.
