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Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Appoints Augusta Technical College Provost to Board of Directors

by Kimberly Holden

Posted on Jan 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM

For Immediate Release

Augusta Technical College seal in Heritage Green composed of the words Augusta Technical College circling the top 3/4s of a circular outline. The word Georgia is centered at the bottom outside the circular outline, separated from the words Augusta and College by three stylized laurel leaves. The inner part of the circular outline is divided into three sections by lines forming a capitalzed Y. The upper section includes the image of an open book as seen from the bottom edge with the year 1961 above it framed by two small diamonds. The bottom left section contains an outline of a gear with the hollow center of the gear opening to the center of the Y. The bottom right section contains the outline of a caduceus.

Media Contact | Original Press Release

Kimberly N. Holden
Executive Director, Marketing & Public Relations
706.771.4819
kimberly.holden@augustatech.edu

Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Appoints Augusta
Technical College Provost to Board of Directors

Augusta, GA - January 22, 2025

Dr. Melissa Frank-Alston, a Caucasian female with short brown hair, smiles at the camera wearing a red suit jacket and a red ivy print dress shirt.Augusta Technical College proudly announces the appointment of College Provost Dr. Melissa Frank-Alston to the Board of Directors for the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven, business-focused organization
advocating for economic growth and development in the Greater Augusta region. Dedicated to fostering strategic investments, infrastructure improvements, and initiatives that attract and retain businesses, the Chamber plays a pivotal role in strengthening the local economy.

“I am honored to join the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors during the Chamber’s 20th anniversary of impact. I look forward to contributing to the Chamber’s mission of driving economic growth and development in our community,” said Dr. Melissa Frank-Alston.

Dr. Frank-Alston brings nearly 30 years of experience in higher education, including nearly two decades at Augusta Technical College. Since joining the College in 2005, she has held various vice presidential roles and worked closely with faculty, staff, administrators, and local business leaders to secure more than $8 million in federal and private grants to support student success initiatives.

“Dr. Frank-Alston’s expertise in higher education and her commitment to economic and workforce development make her an outstanding addition to the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Board,” said Dr. Jermaine Whirl, President of Augusta Technical College.

Dr. Frank-Alston, who earned her PhD in Workforce Education and Development from Penn State University, is also a graduate of several prestigious leadership programs, including Leadership Augusta (2007), the Technical College System of Georgia Executive Leadership Academy (2014), and the Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence (2018). In 2018, she was recognized with the Pennsylvania State University College of Education Alumni Society Award for Leadership and Service.

Dr. Frank-Alston also serves on the Foundation Board of Directors for the South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture at John de la Howe. Her three-year term on the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will further enhance Augusta Technical College’s commitment to supporting workforce development and economic growth in the region.

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About Augusta Technical College

Augusta Technical College, a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, is a public postsecondary institution that provides academic and technical education, customized business and industry training, continuing education, student support, economic development, and adult education services to its service area (Burke, Columbia, Lincoln, McDuffie, and Richmond Counties) at a competitive financial value. Associate of Science Degrees, Associate of Applied Science Degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates of credit are provided through traditional and distance delivery methods. For more information, visit augustatech.edu.

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