Atlanta — March 17, 2023

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) today named members of the Dalton State College Presidential Search Committee. The committee will conduct a national search to replace Dr. Margaret H. Venable, who has announced plans to retire in the summer of 2023.

Venable has served as Dalton State’s president since 2015. Prior to Dalton State, she served as provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at Gordon State College. She has worked in the University System of Georgia for more than 30 years.

“With the hard work of President Venable and its students, faculty and staff, Dalton State is gaining a reputation for graduating a skilled workforce that stays in Northwest Georgia and helps regional industry succeed,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “This is an opportunity to build upon that foundation. I look forward to the search committee’s efforts to help find the college’s next president who can continue to make Dalton State a national example of success.”

Members of the Presidential Search Committee are as follows:

• Regent Lowery May, committee chair
• Regent and Board Chairman Harold Reynolds
• Regent Tom Bradbury
• Anna Adamson, director of development, Junior Achievement of Northwest Georgia
• James Beach, assistant director of payroll; chair, Dalton State College Staff Council
• Jennifer Granados, student; vice president, Student Government Association (SGA)
• Chip Howalt, president and owner of Textile Rubber and Chemical Company; chair, Dalton State Foundation
• Raphael Huerta, outreach director, Latin American Association
• John Lugthart, Ph.D.; professor of biology; Shaw Industries Chair in STEM
• Ashley May, vice chancellor of external affairs and chief of staff, University System of Georgia
• Jason Mock, president and CEO, Greater Dalton Chamber
• Hussein Mohamed, Ph.D.; professor of biology; president, Faculty Senate
• Mariela Vazquez, alum; 2020-21 SGA president; fifth-grade teacher, Dalton Public Schools

“Dalton State is a critical partner for the success of local and regional industry as it makes sure graduates have the real skills our businesses need to grow and prosper,” Regent May said. “I’m looking forward to working with the committee to find a dynamic leader who can expand these kinds of connections while continuing to support the college’s outstanding academic programs.”

The Presidential Search Committee will guide the first stage of the search. At the conclusion of its work, the committee will forward the credentials of three to five unranked candidates to the Board of Regents for consideration.

The initial meeting of the Presidential Search Committee will be March 23, 2023, at which time the members will be formally charged with their roles and responsibilities in conducting the search.

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