Dana Nichols to serve as interim president at GHC
Georgia Highlands College’s chief academic officer and provost, Dana Nichols, has been named to serve as the college’s interim president, effective July 7.
She will succeed President Don Green, who has accepted a position as president of Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Nichols has served in her current role since August 2018. As provost, she has been focused on retention and graduation efforts. Officials cited her strong commitment to student success strategies, creating new degree programs and certificates that complement local workforce needs and pursuing strategic scheduling across GHC’S five locations in Rome, Cartersville, Dallas, Douglasville and Marietta.
“I am so honored to assume the role of interim president at GHC,” Nichols said in a press release. “With the support of a great team of faculty and staff, we will not only continue GHC’S tradition of providing the type of student-centered, quality and affordable education and training opportunities that we are known for, but we will also expand our innovative curriculum and outreach efforts together with our partners in industry and K12 education.”
Nichols previously worked as vice president for academic affairs at Chattanooga State Community College.
She began her academic career at Gainesville State College, serving first as a tutor in the Foreign Language and
Writing Labs and then as associate professor of both English and Spanish.
A native of northeast Georgia, Nichols has also served as assistant vice president and dean of academic affairs at Lanier Technical College.
She earned a doctorate in English from Georgia State University, dual bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish from Mercer University and two associate degrees from Gainesville College.
“Dr. Nichols’ experience and knowledge of Georgia Highlands College make her an excellent choice as the college continues to focus on student success and degree attainment for the communities it serves,” USG Chancellor Steve Wrigley said. “She understands how important GHC’S mission is, and I’m grateful for her leadership.”