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Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Commissioner Greg Dozier has appointed Albany Technical College Executive Vice President and Baldwin County native, Dr. Emmett Griswold as president of Albany Technical College.
“Baldwin County and the city of Milledgeville is my beginning and foundation. Being a product of the Baldwin County School System (1989), reared in the loving community of Harrisburg during the 1970s and 1980s, having devoted parents and a caring family that invested in me, enabled me to be prepared for the challenges of life and to convert those challenges into opportunities,” said Griswold in a later interview when asked how his hometown contributed to his success.
Commissioner Dozier’s recommendation to appoint Dr. Griswold as the new President was approved Oct. 25 in Savannah by the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia.
“Dr. Griswold is a highly respected leader not only at Albany Technical College but in the community and surrounding region,” said Dozier. “From his start at Albany Tech as a criminal justice instructor nearly 20 years ago, Dr. Griswold has been instrumental in moving Albany Tech forward in his various leadership roles at the college.
“I know Dr. Griswold is the right person for the job and will take the college and the community to new heights, building upon the foundation laid by his mentor and friend, Dr. Anthony Parker.”
Dr. Griswold has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, including serving as interim president of Albany Technical College upon the passing of Dr. Anthony Parker in June. He began his career at Albany Technical College in 2004 as an instructor and has served as Criminal Justice Department chairperson, dean of Academic Affairs, vice president for Academic Affairs, and executive vice president.
Prior to his work in higher and technical education, Dr. Griswold had an extensive career in law enforcement/ corrections serving as deputy warden for the Georgia Department of Corrections and probation/parole officer for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice. Originally from Milledgeville, Dr. Griswold has been a resident of Albany/ Dougherty County for more than 30 years.
“I’ve been fortunate to build a successful career in technical education at Albany Technical College by working alongside a proactive and passionate leader Dr. Anthony Parker and many other good people who have made this institution what it is today,” said Griswold. “It takes a team of dedicated individuals to maintain a college’s integrity and direction, and I am very proud to have been a part of the leadership over the years.”
Dr. Griswold holds an Ed.D. in adult and career education from Valdosta State University, a master’s degree in criminal justice from Albany State College, and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Albany State College.
Dr. Griswold assumed his role as President on November 1.
“I’m humbly grateful the Commissioner and State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) have entrusted in my ability to be the successor of Dr. Anthony Parker (former President) by appointing me the next leader of Albany Technical College and to serve the citizens of southwest Georgia in this capacity,” said Griswold in a later interview.
According to Griswold, in his new position he will continue to work towards providing competent and ethical employees for employers as part of their workforce development mission.
“Our mission is workforce development. To address the workforce skill gaps in our state and region, there are several projects that we have been working on for several months that we believe will assist in addressing this issue, such as beginning construction on our new Transportation Academy facility and finalizing our agreement with Phoebe Putney Health System on a Living & Learning facility, which will serve as an expansion in our nursing related programs,” said Griswold. “These are just some examples of what we are working towards.”
– Contributed by Shannon Wiggins