b'Moving Foward Q & ASRTC President Jim GlassJ ames Jim Glass officially began his tenure as president of Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) on July 1, 2019.Previously, Glass served as provost at SRTC since the college merged with Moultrie Technical College in 2015. He began his postsecondary career as director of instruction at Albany Technical College in 1999. Glass also spent 13 years in secondary education as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in the Albany area.N O I AT C U D E QUESTIONS & ANSWERSSGAMAG: You have been a part of SRTC as both provost and now president, what do consider to be SRTCs greatest strengths?Our greatest strength is our people. SRTCs faculty and staff are experienced in their fields, hardworking, and dedicated to student success.SGAMAG: With the start of a new decade, what is your vision for SRTCs future growth?Business and industry in Southwest Georgia are positioned for growth, and this colleges emphasis on workforce development means that we will need to continue our own record growth to keep up with the demand for skilled workers. As industrial and medical fields become more high-tech, our courses will evolve to meet the needs of an increasingly technical world. SGAMAG: What value does SRTC bring to students, businesses/industry, and the community?We design our programming to efficiently, effectively prepare students to join the workforce immediately upon graduation. Our students graduate without student debt, fully equipped to succeed in their new careers. Current and prospective employers appreciate access to local qualified applicants, as well as the nimble, customized training options that we offer. In addition to the ancillary benefits of the college, many of our faculty and staff have deep roots in the communities we serve. Our people are out in our eleven county service delivery area, volunteering with local organizations, serving on boards, and helping SRTC meet the needs here at home and state wide. SGAMAG: TCSG institutions have a stellar reputation for being partners in economic development. How is SRTC working hand-in-hand with industries to ensure its curriculum is responsive to current and future workforce needs?In 2019, our communities saw the opening of two major manufacturing facilities. We worked closely with both CheckMate and Taurus USA to ensure that our workforce would be prepared to fill the numerous jobs that those organizations brought to our region. In Bainbridge, 10 SG MAGAZINE | WINTER 2020 Campus View: SRTC President Jim Glass BUSINESS + CULTURE 11SRTC'