Dr. Ron Newcomb, the president of Chattahoochee Technical College, has announced his retirement effective Aug. 31, 2024. His retirement comes 36 years after coming to the pre-merger North Metro Technical Institute in 1988, and 41 years after coming to state government in 1982. “It’s time. The college is at a great place in terms of enrollment and expansions. The faculty and staff are at the top of their game,” said Dr. Newcomb. “With enrollment this fall at 11,000 students, I’m so proud of the work of this team.”
Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Commissioner Greg Dozier said of Dr. Newcomb, “Dr. Newcomb has been an inspirational leader, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation. His vision and passion have profoundly impacted his students, faculty, and staff, and his contributions will be remembered for years to come.”
Appointed president in 2012, Dr. Newcomb led the college through the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple regional and program accreditations, along with various campus and program expansions, always providing the vision and direction needed for success. His tenure in technical education began in 1988 at the North Metro Technical Institute as Vice President of Planning and Development and then served as Vice President of Student Affairs.
While at North Metro, Dr. Newcomb was placed on assignment with the Office of Governor Roy Barnes as Commission Staff Director to the Governor’s Education Reform Study Commission. Dr. Newcomb assisted with multiple pieces of education legislation, including language changes in state law that allowed the technical institutes to change their name to technical college. At this time, he also served as Commissioner from Georgia to the Education Commission of the States (ECS).
Upon his return to North Metro, Dr. Newcomb stepped into the role of Vice President for Institutional Advancement, then taking a dual role as Vice President of Academic Affairs. In 2008, Dr. Newcomb was named Acting President of North Metro Technical College, playing a significant role implementing the merger of Appalachian, Chattahoochee and North Metro Technical College, the first merger (and one of only three college mergers) of the Technical College System of Georgia. As a merged Chattahoochee Technical College, Newcomb was named Provost and Executive Vice President until 2012 when he was appointed president.
Dr. Newcomb’s work with Gov. Barnes was not his fist stint working in the Governor’s Office. He served under Gov. Joe Frank Harris, assisting with the Governor’s Education Review Commission, which led to the Quality Basic Education (QBE) Act in 1985. He also helped establish the State Department of Postsecondary Vocational Education (the initial name for the current Technical College System of Georgia) in 1983 and the creation of North Metro Technical Institute around 1988.
Dr. Newcomb’s devotion to government and its citizens is evidenced by his 20 years (five terms) as a Smyrna City Councilman. As Councilman, he built a reputation for responsiveness to his constituency and consensus building. He served as part of a team of elected and appointed officials who fostered Smyrna’s economic rebirth. He worked to professionalize city policies and services, maintain the millage rate while balancing budgets, increase bond ratings, and increase homestead exemptions, and emphasized strategic redevelopment and rezoning as a tool to support public schools.
Dr. Newcomb is a triple DAWG, completing three degrees from the University of Georgia, the most recent being a doctorate from the Institute of Higher Education in August 2011 using his experience of the technical college merger as his dissertation. In the 1970s, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science.
As Chattahoochee Tech president, Dr. Newcomb is quick to give credit to those doing the work to make the successes of the college a reality. He is a champion for students ensuring they have access to the highest quality instruction and financial and support resources to reach their educational goals. Always considering himself one of the team, he often refers to himself as “Ron” and prefers others do the same as opposed to Dr. Newcomb.
Dr. Newcomb leaves Chattahoochee Tech to spend more time reading, traveling and spending time with family and valued friends. “My health is good and there are other interests I’d like to pursue,” said Dr. Newcomb. “There will always be just one more thing to do at the college, but it’s a good stopping point for me.” He also leaves Chattahoochee Tech in a position of future success poised for growth, expansion and building upon community to ensure the best workforce in the state.