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(DeKalb County, September 6, 2018) – – The state board of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) today approved Commissioner Matt Arthur’s appointment of Dr. Tavarez Holston as the new president of Georgia Piedmont Technical College. Dr. Holston will assume his official leadership duties on September 10, 2018.

“Dr. Holston’s experience in, and passion for, technical education, combined with his commitment to students, and his vision to expand educational and economic opportunity in the community are exactly the qualities we were looking for in Georgia Piedmont Technical College’s next president,” Commissioner Arthur stated.

He replaces Dr. Jabari Simama, who served as the college’s third president during its 57-year history.

Holston began working at Georgia Piedmont in April of 2018 as part of an assessment team convened by Commissioner Arthur. The assessment team has been responsible for re-evaluating many areas of the college and offering recommendations regarding improvements that will benefit faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders now and in the future.

“It is truly an honor to serve the students of Georgia Piedmont Technical College and its surrounding communities,” said Holston. “I know this college has a bright future ahead and we will ensure that every student who comes through our doors is provided with a world-class education,” he said. “In addition, this college has an obligation to meet the needs of business and industry in the community; that goal is something we will work every day to provide,” he concluded.

Holston comes to Georgia Piedmont from Lanier Technical College, where he served as the vice president for academic affairs as well as the vice president for adult education. He entered the technical college system as a part-time business instructor at Moultrie Technical College (now known as Southern Regional Technical College) in 2000. During his tenure at Moultrie Technical College, he served as a faculty member, campus dean, director of online instruction, vice president for institutional effectiveness, and vice president for academic affairs.

Holston earned a doctorate in education from Valdosta State University, a master’s in management from Troy University, and a bachelor of business administration from the University of North Georgia.

Dr. D. Glen Cannon, Georgia Piedmont’s interim president, will return to Gwinnett Technical College to resume his role as president of the college.

About Georgia Piedmont Technical College
Established in 1961, Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) is one of the top technical colleges in Georgia. As a student-centered institution, GPTC prepares individuals with the skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing economy. In August 2016, the Atlanta Business Chronicle ranked Georgia Piedmont among the top ten technical colleges in terms of enrollment. GPTC’s graduation rate, as reported by the Technical College System of Georgia in its 2017 annual Benchmark and Supplemental Reports, is more than 82 percent, and its graduates secure employment at a level resulting in a 99.5 percent total job placement rate. Serving more than 4,000 students, Georgia Piedmont’s adult education program is the second largest in the state. The college has seven learning centers in DeKalb, Newton, and Rockdale counties. As set forth in its student catalog, Georgia Piedmont Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, sex, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, veteran status, or citizenship status (except in those special circumstances permitted or mandated by law). Contact Dr. Perrin Alford, the ADA Coordinator, at 404/297-9522, ext. 1231, ADA504Coordinator@gptc.edu or at the main DeKalb campus, 495 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, GA 30021 Room A-170; or Lolita Morrison, the Title IX Coordinator, at 404/297-9522, ext. 1210, TitleIXCoordinator@gptc.edu or at the main DeKalb campus, 495 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, GA 30021 Room A-157 for assistance.