Mary Ellen Wilson Named Interim President of Waycross College
Atlanta — May 3, 2011
Dr. Mary Ellen Wilson
University System of Georgia Chief Operating Officer Rob Watts announced today that he has appointed Dr. Mary Ellen Wilson, currently vice president for academic affairs at Middle Georgia College (MGC) in Cochran, to serve as the interim president at Waycross College.
Wilson’s appointment, effective July 1, 2011, follows Waycross College President David A. Palmer’s recent announcement that he is retiring effective June 30, 2011. Dr. Palmer has served the University System of Georgia in this role since 2006.
Wilson has been vice president for academic affairs at MGC since 2000 and played a key role in MGC’s merger with the Georgia Aviation and Technical College as well as the establishment of the college’s baccalaureate degree programs. She served as MGC’s interim president during 2008, and has been a history professor at MGC since 1983. She also previously taught at Tift College in Forsyth, Ga., and Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla.
“We are extremely fortunate to be able to call on Dr. Wilson’s vast experience and strong leadership skills,” Watts said. “I am confident that Waycross College will be in very good hands under her guidance.”
Wilson holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree, both in history, from Florida State University, earned in 1983 and 1975 respectively. Her undergraduate history degrees include a bachelor’s degree from Mercer University in 1974 and an associate degree from MGC in 1972.
Wilson has served as chair of the Regents Administrative Committee on Academic Affairs, which advises the regents on academic policy and works on academic affairs projects. She has been active in the Georgia Association of Historians and served as its secretary from 1998 to 2003.
Wilson served as president of the local chapter of the American Association of University Professors from 1995 to 1999. She has presented at numerous state, regional, and national conferences in the areas of forest history, environmental history, and the incorporation of technology into the classroom and has had several articles published on those subjects.
Plans regarding the search for a permanent presidential appointee at Waycross College will be forthcoming in the near future.
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