Atlanta Technical College Hosts ACE Fellow

Feb. 11, 2011 - PRLog -- Atlanta, Georgia (February 11, 2011) – Dr. Alvetta Peterman Thomas, president of Atlanta Technical College, announced today that Dr. Mary L. Grimes-McGreer, Greenville Satellite Campus Director and Graduate Studies Program Coordinator for South Carolina State University, will spend the spring quarter of her fellowship at Atlanta Technical College. She is one of 46, 2010-2011 American Council on Education (ACE) Fellows.  Her decision to choose Atlanta Technical College was based on the caliber of the leadership at the institution.

“Selection as a host institution is a mark of the prestige of the college.  An ACE Fellow has selected this institution for its unique learning opportunities and quality of work in educating students,” explained Dr. Sharon A. McDade, director of the ACE Fellows Program.

President Alvetta Peterman Thomas said, “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Grimes-McGreer to Atlanta Technical College.  While at the college, she will participate in administrative activities that will enhance her knowledge about the challenges and opportunities confronting leaders in higher education.  She will work closely with me to address the issues of recruitment, retention and managing change—all key challenges facing college presidents in today’s educational landscape.  Her intellect, fervor and credentials are impressive.  I am confident she will make a valuable contribution to our campus, while strengthening her own skills set.”

Established in 1965 by the ACE, the ACE Fellow Program is designed to strengthen institutions and leadership in American higher education by identifying and preparing promising senior faculty and administrators for eventual advancement into senior leadership positions in college and university administration.  Fellows, nominated by the presidents or chancellors of their institutions, are selected in a national competition. Of the more than 1,500 participants in the 45 years of the Program, more than 300 have become chief executive officers and more than 1,100 have become provosts, vice presidents, or deans.

Grimes-McGreer received her bachelor’s degree from North Carolina A&T State University and her master of fine arts from Alliant International University in San Diego, California.  She has served on various doctoral committees and presented papers with senior faculty at the University of South Carolina after receiving her Doctor of Philosophy from the institution.  The focus of her fellowship is to further understand and develop a leadership paradigm of the community college presidency.  

About ACE
Founded in 1918, ACE is the nation’s largest higher education association, representing more than 1,600 college and university presidents, and more than 200 related associations, nationwide. It seeks to provide leadership and a unifying voice on key higher education issues and influence public policy through advocacy, research and program initiatives.

About Atlanta Technical College
Atlanta Technical College, a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, is located in the city of Atlanta, and is an accredited institution of higher education, which provides affordable lifelong learning opportunities, associate degrees, diplomas, technical certificates of credit, customized business and industry training, continuing education, and other learning services, using state-of-the-art technology in more than 100 fields. The integration of academics and applied career preparation to enhance student learning is essential in meeting the workforce demands and economic development needs of the people, businesses, and communities of Fulton and Clayton counties.