Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Ron Jackson has appointed Steve Dougherty as the new president of North Georgia Technical College.

Dougherty has served as the interim president of the technical college since July 1, when former college president Ruth Nichols left the position in June and relocated to the technical college system’s office in Atlanta, according to the minutes of the Technical College System of Georgia board meetings.

From 2001 to 2008, Dougherty was the president of North Metro Technical College in Acworth from 2001 to 2008.

Dougherty, a U.S. Army veteran and father of three, will oversee North Georgia Tech’s multiple campuses where more than 3,000 students are enrolled.

"I’m looking forward to creating new education opportunities and building upon the great reputation of Georgia’s oldest technical college," Dougherty said in a prepared statement. "I’m excited because North Georgia Tech is positioned for terrific growth with it’s new SACS accreditation, extensive array of technical education programs and the gorgeous mountain settings of our three campuses."