NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS)
Date: April 21, 2005
Contact: Terri Giltner, (859) 256-3186, terri.giltner@kctcs.edu
Jackie Bondurant, (859) 256-3219, jackie.bondurant@kctcs.edu
KCTCS Appoints President of Bowling Green Technical College
Bowling Green, Ky. (April 21, 2005) - Dr. Michael B. McCall, president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, announced today the appointment of Dr. Nathan L. Hodges as president of Bowling Green Technical College.
"Dr. Hodges extensive experience and proven record of success as president of three community colleges in two states will provide this college and community with the leadership needed to fulfill its mission of providing education and training to foster regional economic growth and opportunity," said Dr. McCall.
Dr. Hodges, who currently serves as president of Haywood Community College in North Carolina, was one of three finalists who interviewed recently following a national search.
"The Board strongly believes that Dr. Hodges has the knowledge and skills to move our college to the next level and ensure we accomplish our mission of being the premier comprehensive community and technical college in the south central region," said Doris Thomas, Chair of Bowling Green Technical College Board of Directors.
Hodges has been president of Haywood Community College since 1997. During his tenure, he served as a member of the Economic Development Taskforce in Haywood County that recently completed a comprehensive economic development study. In addition, he established a Division of Economic and Workforce Development within the college that assigned teams to work with each industry and business in the local area and to assist in the recruitment of new industry.
"Economic development has increasingly become a primary responsibility of a community and technical college president," said Hodges. "It is imperative that colleges structure themselves to respond to the needs of local business and industry."
Dr. Hodges also served as president of the Mayland Community College in North Carolina and the George C. Wallace State Community College in Alabama. Prior to becoming a college president he served as superintendent of the Dale County School System in Dothan, Alabama.
"Nathan Hodges has been an outstanding member of the North Carolina system having been president of two of our community colleges," stated Martin Lancaster, president of the North Carolina Community College System. "He is a strong leader, an innovative thinker, and a student-centered administrator. Kentucky's gain is North Carolina's loss."
Hodges has made numerous presentations to state, regional and national groups on topics such as: Community College Renewal; Exploring Organizational Values; Student Retention in the Community College; and Entrepreneurial Learning Initiatives in the Community College. He has also served as senior consultant to the League for Innovation's Executive Leadership Institute which is designed to prepare the next generation of community college presidents.
Dr. Hodges received his bachelor of science in psychology and social science from Troy State College in Alabama; his master of science in foundations of education and administration from Troy State University; and his doctorate in education at Auburn University. He has also completed post-doctoral studies at the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Hodges replaces President Dr. Jack Thomas who has been named Assistant to the Chancellor of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System in Versailles.
Bowling Green Technical College was established in 1962 and currently has an enrollment of 2,500 students on four campuses located in Bowling Green and Glasgow. Two additional sites are planned for The TransPark and Franklin.
Bowling Green Technical College is governed by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) which operates 16 colleges on 65 campuses throughout the state. KCTCS is Kentucky's largest provider of postsecondary education and workforce training.
KCTCS is changing the lives of Kentuckians by providing affordable and accessible postsecondary education at 16 community and technical colleges on 65 campuses throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. For more information, visit www.kctcs.edu.