Twenty-one members of Georgia Perimeter College’s faculty, staff and students will serve on the GPC/Georgia State Consolidation Implementation Committee, bringing a wide array of experience to their important task. They are joined by 21 members from Georgia State University.

Chosen for their leadership capabilities and proven track record to “get the job done,” the group will provide overall leadership to support the implementation effort. One of their major tasks will be leading the many onsite sub-committees that will be working out details of how the consolidated institution will operate.

University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby appointed the 42-member Consolidation Implementation Committee following the January approval by the USG Board of Regents to consolidate the two colleges. He has charged committee members with assessing the needs and infrastructure of the new consolidated institution and providing recommendations regarding campus structure, programs and locations.

GPC’s team members sent to the Newsroom their goals for the consolidation, as well as brief bios. They are as follows:

India Blackburn, assistant dean, student services, Alpharetta Campus

Years in higher education: GPC, 2009 to present; prior work at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign as program advisor and as assistant director.

Education: B.A. in Philosophy and masters in Educational Leadership, University  of Alabama, Birmingham; currently pursuing my doctorate of education in Student Affairs Leadership at the University of Georgia.

Consolidation goal: “The students are our first priority. We have a great opportunity to expand access while improving rates of student success by providing increased flexibility of course offerings, high quality programs and services. I look forward to working with our colleagues at GSU to create a prodigious new institution for the state of Georgia.”

Dr. John Clower, interim vice president for student affairs

Years in higher education: At GPC for six months. Prior to that, I was in student affairs at North Georgia University and the University of West Georgia for a combined 22 years.

Education: B.S. in Biology, North Georgia College; M.S. in Student Personnel Services, Northwestern State University, Louisiana;  and Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, Florida State University.

Consolidation goal: “Tomake sure that the interests and needs of the current and future students of GPC are not lost in the consolidation process.”

Debra Denzer, associate professor of English as a Second Language and GPC Faculty Senate chair

Years in higher education: GPC, 1988 to present; prior institutions include Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Henan Teachers College (China, 1981); and University of Miami, Miami-Dade Community College. Fulbright Scholar in Italy, 1993.

Education: B.A. in English, and M.A. in Linguistics, University of Florida; additional graduate work at Stetson University and Georgia State University.

Consolidation goal: “I look forward to working with a team that will bring success in higher education to the students of Georgia regardless of where they are starting and to representing the faculty whose mission it is to educate and advise them.”

Jamie Fernandes, assistant vice president for financial and administrative affairs and budget director

Years in higher education: GPC, 2012 to present; more than 10 years of budget experience for the State of Georgia including the Georgia Department of Revenue, Senate Budget and Evaluation Office and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget.

Education: B.A. in Journalism and Public Relations and Master of Public Administration, both at the University of Georgia.

Consolidation goal: “As a member of the consolidation team, my hope is to ensure a seamless transition of our financial and administrative functions as we continue to serve the students, faculty and staff.”

Dr. Susan Finazzo, associate professor and dean of institutional effectiveness and college’s SACS liaison

Years in higher education: GPC, 2008 to present. Prior to that, I worked at Broward Community College (now Broward College) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Education:  B.A. in Biology and B.A. in Geology, University of Delaware; M.S. in Microbiology, Pennsylvania State University; Ph.D. in Horticulture, University of Florida.

Consolidation goal: “Explore! The consolidation/merger is a wonderful opportunity for us to think not about where we are but where we want to be. I would love to see faculty and staff exploring the best practices for student success from other access institutions and leveraging that knowledge within this consolidation to the benefit of our students, our institution and our community.”

Dr. Sheila Garland, associate professor and dean of health sciences

Years in higher education: Came to GPC in October 2014. Most recent positions were interim provost, chief academic officer and dean of academic and student affairs at The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Cincinnati, Ohio. Also was dean and professor of nursing at schools in Ohio, Arkansas, New York, West Virginia and Florida.

Education: A.S. in Nursing, Nassau Community College, New York; B.S.N. and masters in Nursing Education, Adelphi University, New York; and Ed.D. in Nursing Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York.

 Consolidation goal: “To engage in successful outcomes that provide seamless access and opportunities for advancement in a changing higher education environment.”

Scott Hardy, GPC Alumni Association president and GPC facilities operation director

Years in higher education: 27 years at GPC.

Education: B.S. in Building Construction Technology, Georgia Southern College; attended DeKalb College.

Consolidation goals: “Make sure the merger works for the students of Georgia. A priority should be providing support for the financial literacy of all students who are engaged with the new GSU … designing a pathway where education leads to skills, where skills lead to employment and employment leads to freedom.”

Todd Hendricks, associate professor of math and chair of the GPC promotion and tenure committee

Years in higher education: GPC,1992 to present. Prior to teaching, I worked in network support for the Georgia Pacific Corporation.

Education: B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science, State University of West Georgia and M.S. in Pure Mathematics, Florida State University.

Consolidation goal: “To help direct the consolidation of Georgia Perimeter College into Georgia State University in such a way so that students, faculty and staff benefit. I believe with careful planning, this is a reachable goal.”

Diane Hickey, associate vice president for financial affairs

Years in higher education: GPC, 2012 to present. Prior positions include director of reporting and compliance at Kennesaw State University, controller for the University System Office and Board of Regents assistant director of financial reporting and analysis.

Education: B.B.A. in Accounting, University of Memphis and M.B.A. from Kennesaw State University; I’m also a Certified Public Accountant.

Consolidation goals: “I look forward to working collaboratively with my GSU colleagues in arriving at an organizational framework that will best achieve the goals of the consolidation, namely increasing student success within an efficient operating structure. … Transparency, two-way communication and a receptiveness to change will be key components of my approach.”

Mark Hoeting, assistant vice president and chief information officer

Consolidation goals: “The consolidation of Georgia Perimeter College and Georgia State University presents a tremendous opportunity for the students and faculty. The goal of the joint informational technology organization in this transition is to ensure a seamless integration and transition of all of our enterprise systems, communication platforms and teaching/learning services. Our success will be measured in how effectively we create a pathway to four-year degree completion for all students of the new institution.”

Dr.  Paul Hudson, professor of history and recipient of the 2014 Governor’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Humanities

Years in higher education: GPC, 2002 to present; registrar and lecturer in history at Oglethorpe University, 1984-2002.

Education: B.A., Oglethorpe University; M.A., University of Georgia; Ph.D., Georgia State University.

Consolidation goals: “I would like our committee to create the structure and environment for a truly great research university that also features responsive access campuses, stretching from downtown throughout metropolitan Atlanta. Such a distinctive and versatile institution must be characterized by a determined focus on the betterment of diverse students on the associate, undergraduate and graduate levels.”

Kara Kennebrew, GPC Staff Senate president and coordinator of testing for Alpharetta Campus

Years in higher education: GPC, 2011 to present. Prior to that, I worked at Armstrong Atlantic State University and Georgia Southern University.

Education: B.A. Sociology and M.Ed., Higher Education Administration, Georgia Southern University; (ABD) Ed.D. Educational Leadership, Valdosta State University.

Consolidation goals: “It is my hope to obtain as much knowledge as possible in order to make impactful decisions. In doing so, it is my goal to advocate for the staff of GPC in the most effective way possible.”

Barbara Obrentz, chief public information officer and director of marketing

Years in higher education: GPC,2004 to present. Previous positions include executive director of the Lost Boys Foundation and trainer and program evaluator for Head Start, plus I ran my own marketing firm.

Education: B.S., Education, University of Vermont, and M.S., Education, Bank Street College, New York. Doctoral work in education at Georgia State University.

Consolidation goal: “To lead and foster transparent methods of communication throughout the college communities so that all constituents are fully informed of issues and events related to consolidation and feel they have an active role in the formation of our new institution.”

Dan O’Leary, chair of the GPC Foundation Board

Job: President and CEO of O’Leary Partners, Inc.

Education: B.B.A., Finance, Georgia State University; Certified Commercial Investment Member.

Sri Rajasekaran, Student Government Association president, Newton Campus

Years in higher education: This is my fifth semester and second year at GPC.

Education: Pursuing my associate degree in Mathematics.

Consolidation goal: “As the Georgia Perimeter College student, I want to make sure that our students’ voices are heard and are taken into account, and that our students are well represented in the work groups throughout the consolidation implementation process.”

Jim Rasmus, executive director of human resources

Years in higher education: GPC,2009 to present; more than four years at $2 billion proprietary education company. The rest of my experience has been in corporations both in the United States and overseas.

Education: B.S. in Mathematics and M.A. in Labor and Industrial Relations, University of Illinois.

Consolidation goal: “To have an impact on both the what (outcomes) and how (processes) of this consolidation. I think we have a tremendous opportunity for students in our community with this merger as well as an opportunity and access to processes and resources that will enable our faculty and staff to be more efficient and more effective and have greater job satisfaction/fulfillment in the execution of our mission.”

Sally Robertson, associate professor of theatre, immediate past chair of the GPC Faculty Senate, current chair of the University System of Georgia Faculty Council

Years in higher education: GPC, 1995 to present; also part-time at Agnes Scott College. I also have worked at the Alliance Theatre and the New American Shakespeare Tavern as a professional actor and director.

Education: B.A., University of Northern Iowa; M.F.A., University of Georgia.

Consolidation goal: “I am eager to be a part of the creation of an accessible, vibrant, amazing new university that will make Atlanta—and the Southeast—shine ever brighter.”

Jeff Tarnowski, vice president for institutional advancement

Years in higher education: GPC,1999 to present; prior work includes director of alumni relations at Bradley University in Illinois and assistant director of residential life at Nova Southeastern University in Florida.

Education: B.S. and M.B.A. in Business Administration, Bradley University.

Consolidation goal: “I hope to work with my colleagues at GPC and GSU to help create a new institution that puts our students first and provides access and opportunity for students from all backgrounds.”

Dr. Ingrid Thompson-Sellers, interim vice president for academic affairs

Years in higher education: 18 years at GPC; roles included business professor and department chair and dean of business, physical education and sign language; previous institutions include Iona College in New York.

Education: B.S.in Physics, the University of the West Indies; M.S. in Telecommunications from Iona College; Ph.D. in Instructional Technology from Georgia State University

Consolidation goal: “To be a part of building a new institution that is grounded on the strengths of both Georgia Perimeter College and Georgia State University.”

Rob Watts, interim president, GPC

Years in higher education: GPC experience:interim president May 2012 to present and 2005-06, director of institutional research and planning 1986-91; executive vice president for fiscal affairs 1991-2001. Other positions: chief operating officer at University System of Georgia, senior policy advisor to the USG chancellor, interim president at Georgia Highlands/Floyd College and at Middle Georgia College, budget analyst for the Legislative Budget Office of the Georgia General Assembly.

Education: Bachelor and master’s degrees, Florida State University; master’s degree, Johns Hopkins University’s Bologna Center, Italy.

Consolidation goals: “Two goals: First, that it is transparent for students, who will now have more pathways to success, in academics and in life. Second, that 50 years from now, at the college’s 100th anniversary, the students, faculty and staff will say that this transition ushered in a new golden age for the college.”

Julius Whitaker, executive director of library services and interim director of policy and governance

Years in higher education: GPC,1992 to present; prior to that, I worked at Southern Polytechnic and Howard University in numerous positions in the undergraduate and graduate libraries.

Education: B.A. in Sociology and Social Welfare, Saint Augustine’s College, Raleigh, N.C., and M.L.S. in Library and Information Services, Atlanta University.

Consolidation goal: “My hope for the consolidation committee is that we work diligently to create a unique institution that will provide the opportunity for anyone who has a desire to get an education.”