Atlanta — August 17, 1998

University System of Georgia Chancellor Stephen R. Portch announced today the appointment of Michael Vollmer, interim vice president for fiscal affairs at Clayton College & State University, as interim president of Middle Georgia College in Cochran, Georgia, effective August 24, 1998.

At Clayton College & State University, Vollmer was responsible for the implementation of the Information Technology Project (ITP), an initiative that provided each of the 5,000 students of the institution a notebook computer. To date, this effort has been the largest development of mobile computers in a higher education setting. Additionally, he oversaw campus services ranging from grounds to major construction.

Vollmer served as Governor Zell Miller’s Director of the Office of School Readiness from 1996-1997, where he created and operated the new state department with an annual budget of approximately $250 million. His responsibilities included managing the largest statewide pre-kindergarten initiative in the nation, the licensing of private day care centers and the federally funded Child Nutrition Program. Over 60,000 children were served in over 1,400 public and private preschool sites.

Vollmer was director of Georgia’s Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally Scholarship Program (HOPE) from 1994-1996. He was responsible for the start-up and implementation of the scholarship program, which has been called the most far reaching scholarship program in the nation, serving over 317,000 Georgians since its inception in 1993.

“Mike Vollmer’s career has focused on helping Georgia and its citizens,” said Chancellor Portch. “He has played a key and direct role in the establishment and implementation of two of the most far-reaching and exciting programs of the Miller administration – the Pre-K and HOPE programs. Mike excels at working with people and programs. We know that he will also do an outstanding job in this key leadership role within the University System.”

Vollmer first joined state government in 1981 and served four years in the Office of Planning and Budget. From 1985 to 1996, he served two governors, Joe Frank Harris and Zell Miller, in varied capacities, including criminal justice, juvenile justice, health and education. He has a law degree from John Marshall Law School and a B.A. in Sociology from Greensboro College.

Middle Georgia College is a residential, two-year college, enrolling approximately 2,100 students. The search for a permanent president will begin in September with a goal of concluding in early 1999.

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