Where Talent Meets Purpose

To Our Valued Colleagues and Partners,

With your support and the continued support of Chancellor Sonny Perdue and the University System of Georgia, we have built tremendous momentum together over the past three years at Georgia Highlands College!

We’ve grown from being one of the region’s “best-kept secrets” to a visible and trusted partner in every community we serve. We’ve expanded programs, strengthened partnerships, and positioned Georgia Highlands College as a true talent engine for this region.

Our students are not just earning degrees at GHC... Our graduates are entering the workforce ready to make an immediate, day-one impact!

And that impact is measurable! Since our founding, GHC has served nearly a quarter of a million students. Almost 250,000 lives have been shaped by our college. And 85% of our graduates start their career right here in Northwest Georgia, fueling the local economy and strengthening our schools, hospitals, and businesses.

A recent study shows that earning a bachelor’s degree from GHC adds approximately $1.4 million in lifetime earnings. A Georgia Highlands College degree remains one of the most transformative investments a person can make.

This growth and opportunity are attributed to the work of our amazing faculty and staff in their constant pursuit of making GHC the place WHERE TALENT MEETS PURPOSE.

Here’s what that phrase means to us at GHC:

• We will continue to build bridges between education and industry—between what students learn and how they use it to make a difference.

• We’ll deepen partnerships that connect our classrooms to local businesses and expand programs that prepare graduates to meet the region’s growing workforce needs.

• We’ll also keep exploring how higher education can bridge the divide between trade skills and academic degrees, creating new hybrid pathways that equip students for the realities of a rapidly changing workforce and economy.

Leaders across our region know their future workforce is sitting in our classrooms right now. When a student succeeds at Georgia Highlands College, their success extends far beyond campus. They are strengthening their family, their hometown, and the communities we all share.

Our job is to produce graduates who are skilled, adaptable, and ready to contribute on day one. We’re not simply guiding students across a stage at graduation. We’re preparing them to step directly into the classrooms, hospitals, businesses, and industries that keep Northwest Georgia thriving.

And, as always, I want to hear from you! Email me at presidentsoffice@highlands.edu

Partners like you help us make sure GHC continues to fuel economic growth and fill critical workforce pipelines by developing new programs, new facilities, and new partnerships.

Together, we are building the future of Northwest Georgia and positioning GHC for the next decade of impact! Enjoy the rest of this quarterly update below. Thank you for taking time to see all the great things we have to share.

Go Chargers!

Mike

Dr. Mike Hobbs

President

Georgia Highlands College

Georgia Highlands College and the GHC Foundation raised more than $80,000 through this year’s Scholarship Gala and Day of Giving events—an incredible testament to the generosity and spirit of our community. Nearly 400 guests joined us at the Forum in downtown Rome for an evening of celebration featuring dinner, dancing, and an inspiring message from former Atlanta Braves player Sid Bream on the life-changing power of scholarships.

The success of the Gala and Day of Giving was made possible through the support of the college’s Premier Sponsor, Atrium Health Floyd.

Other sponsors included Dr. Lance Barry, C. Andrew Garner and MSP McRae, Smith, Peek, Harman, & Monroe LLP, the City of Cartersville, David Caswell, Synovus, United Community Bank, River City Bank, Piedmont Cartersville, Mauldin & Jenkins, Outdoor Exposure, Triple Take Digital Marketing, Wellstar Health System, Bartow County Georgia, The Frank Group at Morgan Stanley, Bond James Bond, and Georgia Power.

Day of Giving restaurant partners included Texas Roadhouse, Nagel’s Bagels, Sidelines Grille, Doug’s Place, Guthrie’s, Chick-Fil-A, Jimmy John’s, and Noble and Main

Georgia Highlands College has been named the top college in the University System of Georgia for flexible, low-cost online degrees and ranked second overall among all colleges in the state — including private colleges and technical schools — by University Magazine. This recognition highlights our leadership in delivering affordable, high-quality online education.

At GHC, we’re online when you need us to be and on campus when you want to connect in person — offering excellent support services, hands-on experiences, and vibrant campus communities alongside flexible online learning options.

A recent University System of Georgia economic impact study revealed that graduates who earn a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Highlands College are projected to earn $1.4 million more in lifetime earnings than those without a degree. This finding reinforces the long-term value of a GHC education: high quality, affordable, and transformative. With most students graduating debt-free from GHC, the return on investment is even greater, proving that a GHC degree pays dividends not just in career success, but in lifelong opportunity.

Kurt Stuenkel, President and CEO of Atrium Health Floyd, was recently honored with the University System of Georgia’s Regents Hall of Fame Alumni and Distinguished Friends Award in recognition of his outstanding service and support to Georgia Highlands College. Nominated by GHC, Mr. Stuenkel has been a steadfast partner in advancing healthcare and education across Northwest Georgia alongside GHC, helping strengthen pathways for students pursuing nursing and health science careers. His leadership and commitment to collaboration continue to shape a stronger, healthier future for our region.

Georgia Highlands College’s own Shanika Wright Turner has been honored with the University System of Georgia’s Felton Jenkins Jr. Hall of Fame Faculty Award—one of the highest recognitions for excellence in teaching. As a faculty member in Business Administration, Shanika exemplifies GHC’s mission through her dedication to student success and her commitment to preparing graduates for real-world impact. Her achievement reflects not only her passion for teaching, but also the strength and talent of our faculty at GHC!

Georgia Highlands College recently unveiled a stunning seven-foot-tall wooden sculpture created by GHC alum and local artist Jeremy Smith, who is known nationally for his carving skills and has been featured on Food Network, Fox 5, 11 Alive, and GPB.The unveiling ceremony drew students, faculty, alumni, and community members together to celebrate this remarkable work of art. The sculpture now stands as a powerful symbol of the legacy of GHC, its students, and its alumni, representing the creativity, determination, and spirit that defines our college community. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet Jeremy Smith and hear firsthand about his inspiration and process behind the piece, which will continue to inspire generations of students for years to come.

Georgia Highlands College was buzzing with activity as we recently welcomed 15 school buses from 15 different schools to our Cartersville Campus for Congressman Barry Loudermilk's 11th Congressional District Skilled Trade Fair. Events like this showcase the power of combining skilled trades with a college education by helping students become adaptable, future-ready, and prepared to thrive in a world more greatly influenced by automation and AI. At GHC, we believe it’s not “college or career,” but both working together. That’s where Georgia Highlands College truly shines by connecting higher education directly to the workforce needs.

Our Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program continues to lead the University System of Georgia’s eMajor network with the highest enrollment among all participating institutions. This is a reflection of the strength and reputation of this program. Offered entirely online, GHC’s Criminal Justice degrees provide flexible pathways for students pursuing careers in law enforcement, public service, and legal studies. Guided by faculty with deep professional and academic expertise, our graduates are well-prepared to advance into graduate or law school and serve at every level—from local agencies to federal organizations—making a meaningful impact across our communities in Georgia.

As someone who holds a two-year associate degree in law enforcement, this program holds a special place in my heart—just as our first responders do across the communities we serve. We were happy to have Bartow Back the Blue host their 5th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciate BBQ on our campus. I know firsthand the dedication and courage required in this field, and I am proud that GHC is preparing the next generation of criminal justice professionals to meet those challenges.

Avery Pope has turned her classroom experience into real-world success through her own boutique business, Ginny Bird, now open in downtown Dallas. As a graduate of GHC’s Entrepreneurship Pathway, Avery developed her business plan while earning her degree—laying the foundation for a thriving venture inspired by her grandmother’s spirit and love for birds. Her story is a powerful example of how GHC’s programs equip students not only to enter the workforce, but to create opportunities and drive economic growth in their own communities.

We were honored to welcome Regent Haynes Maier Studstill to Georgia Highlands College for a recent visit that highlighted our shared commitment to experiential learning and strong partnerships with business and industry. Regent Studstill is a passionate advocate for connecting academic programs directly to real-world opportunities. At GHC, that means offering degrees that truly lead to careers. We’re fortunate to have Regents like Haynes who not only understand the mission of access and impact, but who help us make it happen every day.

You’re invited to join us on November 6 at 5:30PM for a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating the next phase of our Lakeview Building renovation on the Floyd Campus in Rome. This nearly $12 million project—supported by an investment in healthcare education championed by the governor and our local legislators—will further enhance the home of our Nursing and Dental Hygiene programs. A special reception, hosted by Atrium Health Floyd, will follow at 6PM as we mark this exciting milestone in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals.