Partnership with Georgia Power equips education leaders to strengthen workforce development efforts

Twenty-one school superintendents from across Georgia have been named to the first cohort of the Georgia Superintendents’ Workforce Leadership Academy, a collaboration between the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government and Georgia Power.

The program will build leaders’ abilities to develop and implement strategies enhancing workforce development efforts in their districts and communities by introducing key concepts, trends, programs and approaches. Participants will learn from workforce leaders, collaborate with other superintendents and receive expert coaching. 

“K-12 schools play a vital role in workforce development by providing the skills and knowledge students need to succeed in their future careers,” said Greg Wilson, institute associate director and workforce expert. “The Georgia Superintendents’ Workforce Leadership Academy empowers superintendents to create stronger pathways from the classroom to the workforce, benefitting both students and their communities.”

Participants will attend four workshops from October through April and Georgia’s Workforce Conference in Athens in November. Over the course of the program, each superintendent will complete a capstone project focused on a specific workforce development action item that can be fully implemented in their district.

Particpants accepted for the inaugural academy include:

  • Derick Austin, Putnum
  • Kristina Brooks, Baldwin
  • Jennifer Carter, Hart
  • Mike Ewton, Whitfield
  • Yancy Ford, Effingham
  • Joseph Goodroe, Madison
  • Tracolya Green, Camden
  • Rachel Hazel, Troup
  • Sharon Head, Lumpkin
  • Eric Holland, Rome
  • Devon Horton, Dekalb
  • Andreana Jones, Taliaferro
  • Dallas LeDuff, Barrow
  • David Lewis, Muscogee
  • Craig Lockhart, Valdosta
  • Michael Looney, Fulton
  • Dan Sims, Bibb
  • Anthony Smith, Clayton
  • Denise Warnock, Emanuel
  • Christy Wray, Turner
  • Mitch Young, Forsyth