Technical College Executives Graduate from Leadership Academy

Cathy Pruitt Vann, Ed.D. Included in Class of Rising Leaders

Twenty-six technical college executives from across the state of Georgia recently graduated from the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) Executive Leadership Academy. 

Cathy Pruitt Vann, Ed.D., Vice President of Academic Affairs at Coosa Valley Technical College, was among the 2008 academy class graduates.

Participation in the academy is selective and by invitation only.  Vann was nominated to attend the academy by her college president, Dr. Craig McDaniel, and then approved by the Executive Leadership Academy’s board of directors.

Currently in its second year, the intensive, 10 month academy is held on technical college campuses across Georgia and is designed to acquaint participants with the leadership and managerial responsibilities of TCSG executives.  While the program is specifically geared to the policies and procedures of the TCSG, the curriculum is sufficiently broad in scope to have application to public two-year colleges in any state and includes topics ranging from ethics and board operations to institutional effectiveness, accreditation issues, strategic planning, and more.

“Cathy Vann has become a true leader within our system and has gained the respect of her peers throughout Georgia,” stated CVTC President Dr. Craig McDaniel.  “I think the Executive Leadership Academy has played a huge role in her development.” 

The focus of the academy is to develop the next generation of leaders for Georgia’s technical colleges.  According to TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson the academy’s programs are ideal for providing rising executives with unique opportunities to obtain valuable leadership experience.

Jackson had high praise for the academy participants.  “I can tell you first hand that this class possesses superb leadership talents and an intense dedication to technical education,” said Jackson.  “This group was very poised, and each possesses exceptional skills and strengths that will carry our system forward in the years to come."
 

Last year, more than 6,500 instructors educated 152,000 students enrolled at the 33 colleges of the Technical College System of Georgia. The colleges offer more than 600 degree, diploma, and certificate programs in a variety of fields including the growing and in-demand career areas of healthcare, aerospace, life sciences, energy and the environment, and agribusiness.