Atlanta — November 14, 2023

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) today named Dr. Donald J. Green president of Gordon State College, effective Nov. 15, 2023.

Green currently serves as Gordon State’s interim president.

“President Green has made it his goal to realign Gordon State’s success with central Georgia’s economic future, helping to build a pipeline of highly skilled workers in critical professions for the region and state,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “Based on feedback the board and I have received from the community and our students, faculty and staff, the college is well on its way toward making that happen. We’re grateful to have Don on board full-time as a Highlander as the college continues to help families access higher education and increase their prosperity.”

Before replacing Dr. Kirk Nooks at Gordon State in May, Green was president of Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pa. He has 33 years of leadership experience in education, seven of them with USG. In September 2014, the board named Green the fourth president of Georgia Highlands College, where he served until taking the helm at Point Park in 2021.

“Gordon State students can count on acquiring in-demand skills and credentials at an affordable rate that will help them take advantage the market and attract top employers,” Green said. “It’s a privilege to work with our faculty and staff to help them find that success, and I appreciate Chancellor Perdue and the board’s support as we spread the word about this outstanding college and the value and benefit of a college education.”

About Dr. Donald J. Green

Prior to his service at Point Park University, Green at GHC oversaw initiatives and strategic planning that led to higher retention rates and significant enrollment growth. Green also expanded GHC’s degree offerings with multiple associate and bachelor’s degrees to meet the needs of rapidly growing career fields. Green’s leadership helped increase GHC’s economic impact to over $181 million. In addition to significant increases to the college’s foundation and student scholarship opportunities, he oversaw the addition of a 52,000-square-foot academic building focused on STEAM-based areas of study.

In 2020, Green was one of 13 college presidents across the country who received the Phi Beta Kappa Shirley B. Gordon award for outstanding work in support of student success. Recipients of the award are nominated by students on their campus and are only eligible to receive the award once over the course of their careers.

Before his time with USG, Green held leadership roles at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich. At Ferris State, he worked to more than double the number of community college-based campus locations from nine to 19 and achieved an annual enrollment growth rate average of more than eight percent per year for his division.

Green’s higher education experience includes administrative and teaching posts at Grand Rapids Community College and Davenport University, both in Grand Rapids, Mich. Green also previously ran a consulting firm advising corporations, governmental organizations and educational institutions on training and education.

Green holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Michigan State University, a master’s in labor and human resource management from Ohio State University, and a Doctor of Educational Leadership degree from Western Michigan University. He and his wife, Cathy, have three adult children.

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