VALDOSTA, GA – Wiregrass Georgia Technical College proudly celebrated the completion of its second Senior Leadership Academy, recognizing seven faculty and staff members who successfully completed the four-week leadership development program designed to prepare the college's next generation of institutional leaders.
The Senior Leadership Academy is an advanced leadership initiative that builds upon the college's long-standing commitment to professional development and succession planning. Through interactive sessions held on the Ben Hill-Irwin, Coffee, and Valdosta campuses, participants explored strategic leadership, organizational resilience, effective communication, collaboration, change management, and the skills needed to lead in today's higher education environment.
Designed to cultivate well-rounded leaders, the academy equips participants with the knowledge and skills to inspire others, strengthen organizational resilience, foster innovation, and build meaningful relationships across the college. The program also supports Wiregrass' commitment to succession planning by identifying and preparing emerging leaders to assume future leadership roles within the institution.
Participation in the academy is highly selective. Eligible participants include graduates of the annual Wiregrass Leadership Academy and experienced faculty and staff members with at least two years of leadership experience who are nominated by a Wiregrass vice president. Participants voluntarily committed to four full-day leadership sessions outside of their regular work schedules, demonstrating their dedication to personal and professional growth.
"The Senior Leadership Academy is designed to challenge participants to think beyond their current roles and gain a broader understanding of how every department contributes to the success of our students and our college," said Michael Williams, Executive Vice President of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. "Throughout the academy, participants engaged with college leaders, toured business and industry partners, and explored the strategic decisions that shape our institution. It has been rewarding to watch this group grow in confidence, strengthen their leadership skills, and build relationships that will benefit Wiregrass for years to come."
The 2026 Senior Leadership Academy graduates are:
Coffee Campus
- Paulette D. Brown, Director of Campus Operations
- Tiffany McLean, Assistant Director for Financial Aid
Valdosta Campus
- Ebony Alexander, Student Success Coordinator
- Aaron Mathews, Associate Vice President for Administrative Services
- Lauren Metzger, Financial Aid Coordinator
- Nathan Metzner, Dean of Enrollment Services and Student Success
- Michael Peeples, Director of Facilities
As graduates of the Senior Leadership Academy, these faculty and staff members join a growing network of leaders committed to advancing the mission of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. By investing in employee leadership development, the college continues to strengthen its culture of excellence while preparing the next generation of leaders to serve students, employees, and the communities of South Georgia.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia serving Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, and Wilcox counties. The college offers associate degree, diploma, and technical certificate programs, adult education, workforce development, and continuing education opportunities that prepare students for high-demand careers and support the economic growth of South Georgia.
For more information about Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, visit www.wiregrass.edu.
