Gordon State College and The Carl Vinson Institute Join Forces to Address Education and Workforce Needs
Gordon State College and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government have joined forces in a Workforce Development Strategy Project designed to better align the college’s education programs and other offerings with the region’s workforce needs.
Over the next four months representatives of GSC, the Carl Vinson Institute and members of the education, business, and government sector of Gordon’s 14-county service region will mine data, look at current and projected trends, and develop strategies based on the group’s recommendations.
While Gordon State pulls students from across the state and nation, its recently redefined primary service region includes Bibb, Butts, Clayton, Coweta, Crawford, Fayette, Henry, Lamar, Meriwether, Monroe, Pike, Spalding, Talbot, and Upson.
In welcoming and recognizing the group, Gordon State President Dr. Kirk A. Nooks said Gordon is committed to developing a better understanding of the 14-county region and its workforce needs.
“We could go about this work ourselves, but we decided it was important to get one of the best in the business, so the Carl Vinson Institute will be our facilitator over the next four months,” President Nooks said.
The first meeting was designed to bring the group together, and let them know what work we will be doing,” said Greg Wilson, State Services and Decision Support, Carl Vinson Institute of Government. “It is a great opportunity for representatives of all the 14 counties to come together and learn more about this region.”
Working with Wilson is Rebecca McIver, a research professional with CVI.
Members of the Gordon State College Workforce Development Strategy Project include Dr. Joseph Barrow, Jr., Superintendent Fayette County Schools; Dr. Curtis Jones, Jr., Macon-Bibb County Superintendent of Schools; Dr. Lew Hunnicutt, Provost UGA Griffin; Rodney McCord, City of Griffin Mayor; Craig Ogletree, Georgia Power; Derrick Lewis, GSC Foundation;
Rhee Ivey, Central Georgia EMC; Kathleen Truitt, Assistant Superintendent Henry County Schools; Christopher Deraney, President, Barnesville-Lamar County Chamber of Commerce; Kenny Smith, Griffin City Manager; Kathy Oxford, Lamar County Industrial Development Authority; Tamara Ison, WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital and GSC Foundation Board of Trustees member;
Robert Costley, Superintendent, Butts County School System; Katy Castanien, CEO Griffin Region College and Career Academy; Charles Glass, Lamar County Commission; Peter Banks, Mayor of Barnesville; Kristen Miller, Griffin/Spalding Archway Partnership; Dr. Steve Pearce, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Southern Crescent Technical College; Jim Edwards, United Bank; Dr. Tommy Hopkins, Board of Regents University System of Georgia; Jeff Mills, Henry County; Phillip Bell, Chair GSC Foundation Board of Trustees;
Dr. Treesomia Walker, Lamar County CTAE Director; Dr. Tonya Moore, Academic Success Advisor, Gordon State College; Dr. Ric Calhoun, Assistant Vice President for Innovative Education and Strategic Initiatives, Gordon State College; Dr. Bernard Anderson, Faculty Senate, Gordon State College; Debbie Christian, Community Education Program Administrator, Gordon State College; Sherlana Walker, Staff Senate, Gordon State College; Dr. Kirk A. Nooks, President Gordon State College; Dr. Jeff Knighton, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Gordon State College; Kristen Albritton, Vice President for Finance and Administration, Gordon State College; Rhonda Toon, Vice President Institutional Advancement; Dr. John Head, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs; LaSha Sanders, Special Assistant to the President, Gordon State College.
The group will meet again in late October. Their work will conclude in early December.