MONTGOMERY, Ala. – On Monday, Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker announced the appointment of Gregg Bennett as Interim President of Gadsden State Community College. Bennett will serve in the role until a president is named at the completion of a presidential search.
Bennett has more than 35 years of workforce and economic development experience spending the majority of that time with the University of Alabama and The Alabama Technology Network (ATN). Bennett currently serves as the Center Director for the Alabama Technology Network located at Gadsden State. He has worked with the Alabama Community College System since 2004 when ATN became part of the ACCS. The Alabama Technology Network is a part of the Alabama Community College System and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. ATN supports industry by providing customized workplace training, innovative technical assistance, and engineering services.
“Mr. Bennett’s extensive industry experience combined with his work in higher education gives him a unique skillset and perspective that will be beneficial to Gadsden State,” Baker said. “Bennett has served this community for more than 30 years through his work at ATN and I’m confident this familiarity will serve the Gadsden State students, faculty, and staff well during this time of transition.”
Bennett’s career began with the United States Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C. He later served as Senior Economic Developer for the South Carolina Appalachian Council and Director of the Governor’s Export Advisory Council. Bennett also taught at Limestone College in Gaffney, South Carolina.
“I have called Alabama home for more years than I have not and a significant portion of those years have been spent in Gadsden. I am passionate about improving our great state and am proud to serve the Gadsden State Community in this capacity,” Bennett said. “I have worked alongside the faculty and staff in Ayers, Anniston, and Gadsden and they are some of the best in the business. We will move forward together with a commitment to giving hope and changing lives.”
Bennett’s tenure at Gadsden State will begin on Monday, September 1.
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About ACCS
With 24 community colleges in more than 130 locations, the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) is Alabama’s gateway to first-class, affordable education and technical training to compete in a constantly evolving workforce. More than 168,000 Alabamians benefit from the various certification, credential, dual enrollment and degree programs ACCS offers alongside leading industry partners. The System includes the Alabama Technology Network, which provides extensive training and service offerings directly to business and industry. ACCS is governed by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees.