Two North Georgia College & State University administrators have been named among the top 100 educational leaders in the greater Atlanta area.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle selected Bonita Jacobs, president, and Richard Oates, associate vice president for academic affairs and interim dean of the Mike Cottrell School of Business, to its “Who’s Who in Education” list.

“It’s an honor to be selected by the Atlanta Business Chronicle staff for inclusion in their Who’s Who listing,” said Oates.

“The Atlanta Business Chronicle has a long history of recognizing individuals from a wide range of professions in the greater Atlanta community. To be considered one of the top 100 educators in the greater Atlanta area is humbling.”

Oates recently oversaw the reaffirmation of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation for the business school, a distinction held by less than 5 percent of business schools worldwide.

Jacobs, who will become president of the University of North Georgia, the institution to be formed from the consolidation of North Georgia and Gainesville State College, has held the school’s presidential office since July of last year.

The new university will be effective January 2013.

During her tenure, she has focused on enhancing the school’s scholarship program with help from the fundraising campaign, “Living Our Values: The Campaign for North Georgia.”

“Higher education plays a vitally important role in economic development for the state, and it is rewarding that the Atlanta Business Chronicle recognizes the importance of education and, in particular, North Georgia College & State University in this report,” said Jacobs.

“Through its outstanding academic and leadership development programs, North Georgia has produced generations of successful graduates who contribute to the business, military, health care, education, and civic leadership of this region and the state.”

Hall County IB program deadline June 4
Hall County students wishing to enroll in the International Baccalaureate programs at Johnson, North Hall and West Hall high schools must apply before June 4.

In-county students are given the first option to enroll before the system opens registration to out-of-county, tuition-paying students, if space is available.

Earlier this month, the school board approved opening the programs to additional students, and out-of-county students will pay $1,500 per year.

The programs are open to rising juniors who meet the academic prerequisites.

More information, prerequisites and applications can be found on the system’s website, www.hallco.org.


Lee Johnson covers education issues for The Times. Share your thoughts, news tips and questions with him:
ljohnson@gainesvilletimes.com, facebook.com/TimesLeeJohnson, @LeeJTimes