Newcomb Named Chatt Tech President

Ron Newcomb was officially announced Thursday as the new president of . The announcement was made by Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Ron Jackson after his choice was approved by the state board.

“I look forward to continuing my work with the faculty, staff and students of Chattahoochee Technical College in this role,” Newcomb said in a news release Thursday. “We have a long and proud history in this state as leaders in higher education. I will work hard to ensure my leadership builds on the success that has made Chattahoochee Technical College a flagship institution in Georgia.”

Following a motion made by TCSG Board Member Earl Smith, the board voted unanimously to approve Newcomb’s appointment. The appointment is effective as of Feb. 1.

Chattahoochee Technical College is Georgia’s largest technical college with more than 11,000 students enrolled in its spring semester courses. The college provides classes in more than 70 degree, diploma and certificate areas at its eight campuses and online. Serving six counties, including Bartow, , Cherokee, Gilmer, and Pickens, the college also provides many other students with learning opportunities in adult education, continuing education and workforce development training.

Newcomb , when former president Sanford Chandler . Since July 1, 2009, Newcomb served the college as provost and executive vice president. Prior to the merger of Chattahoochee Technical College with North Metro Technical College and Appalachian Technical College, he served as acting president of NMTC and the vice president of academic affairs and institutional advancement.

He has also served as an assistant for education research and policy under Georgia Governors Joe Frank Harris and Roy Barnes. Newcomb announced in 2011 that he would not seek re-election to the Smyrna City Council where he had represented Ward 2 since 1991 after moving to the city in 1983. A graduate of the University of Georgia with both bachelor and master’s degrees in political science, he received his doctorate in education from the University of Georgia in 2011.