CAMPUS UPDATES |
GSW named
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR
by Sumter County Chamber of Commerce
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(L-R) Sumter County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member Faith Pinnell, GSW President Neal Weaver, SGTC Special Assistant to the President Don Smith, Chamber Board of Directors Chair Rhett Simmons. Photo by Shane Peaster, South Georgia Technical College
t the 98th Annual Sumter County Chamber of Commerce Awards Celebration, GSW received the Community Partner of the Year award alongside South Georgia Technical College (SGTC). The Chamber highlighted GSW’s $89 million economic impact on the Sumter County region, the 2,300 alumni who reside and work in the community, and the educational programs on campus that enrich the community. GSW President Neal Weaver and SGTC Assistant to the President Don Smith accepted the award for their respective institutions. “We are honored to receive this award from the Chamber of Commerce and are thankful for their ongoing support,” said Weaver. “The partnership between the Americus community and GSW is critical to the university’s success.”
Smith and Boren brought on as new vice presidents GSW welcomed two new Vice Presidents on July 1, 2018. Suzanne
Smith, Ph. D., is the new Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA). Smith comes to GSW from Washington State University Vancouver (WSUV) where she was employed for over 20 years. As the new provost and VPAA, Smith is responsible for the instructional program of the university and the daily administration of academic affairs for both faculty and students. She serves as the chief academic officer for the university, reporting to GSW President Neal Weaver. Working closely with the president and an extensive group of campus colleagues, she guides strategic planning and policy development as well as promote campus-wide academic initiatives. Laura Boren, Ph. D., also joined GSW on July 1 as Vice President of the newly-formed Division of Student Engagement and Success (VPSES). Boren comes to GSW from Tarleton State University, part of the Texas A&M University System, located in Stephenville, Texas, where she served as vice president for Student Affairs. Previously, Boren served as vice president for Student Affairs at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK. As the VPSES, Boren is responsible for providing innovative and strategic leadership, as well as, administrative direction for student engagement and retention priorities across institutional lines. Reporting to President Neal Weaver, she serves as the chief student affairs and retention officer at the institution.
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