Purpose
The purpose of the Forward Council is to provide GPTC colleagues opportunities to actively participate in advancing the mission and work of the College. As such, it shall serve as a cross-functional advisory body to the President.
The Council is among the most influential channels through which colleagues engage in governance. This influence is accomplished through the solicitation of input from various stakeholders, thoughtful analysis of issues, and submission of appropriate recommendations to the President on strategic and operational matters.
Membership
Forward Council is comprised of individuals with varying degrees of authority and responsibility in key functional areas of the college.
- The Council is limited to fourteen (14) members and may add up to four (4) non-voting, ad-hoc members at its discretion.
- Council members may be nominated by colleagues and/or be selected from the graduation class of GPTC’s Leader College.
- Members are appointed for two or three-year terms and may not serve consecutive terms.
- Members must maintain open, professional, and candid communication between the college community and the President.
- Members must actively engage and advocate for institutional priorities in a diplomatic manner.
- Each council member must maintain at least a ‘satisfactory’ on his or her annual performance evaluation to remain on the Council.
Meetings and Agendas
The Forward Council is responsible for establishing its plan of work and meeting agendas. The Council should determine a regularly monthly schedule and communicate that to the President. Each meeting agenda must be published no later than five (5) business days prior to each scheduled meeting. Colleagues who wish to submit feedback and possible agenda items to the Council may do so by contacting forwardcouncil@gptc.edu. Meeting minutes will be made available for all colleagues in a timely manner.
Responsibilities
Under the authority of the College President, the Forward Council should:
- Establish its own program of work and priorities in support of the mission, vision, values and goals of the College, as related to the following:
- Academic programs (new programs, program closures, or curriculum changes)
- Policy and procedure
- Student success (retention, graduation)
- Student enrollment (recruitment)
- Institutional effectiveness and continuous improvement
- Review matters presented by colleagues or leaders, as categorized above.
- Solicit feedback from the functional teams identified by Executive Leadership in support of the Council’s initiatives.
- Make actionable recommendations to the President.
Actionable recommendations should include:
- Approved Council meeting minutes, reflecting agenda items and discussion of each.
- Data and documentation to illustrate discussion and support recommendation.
- Clearly labeled and highlighted recommendations, as the last item in the minutes.
Forward Council Meeting Minutes
Dr. Kristin Corkhill
Director of Dual Enrollment
Kristin Corkhill joined Georgia Piedmont Technical College in the Fall of 2017 as the director of high school initiatives. A southwest Florida native, she has spent over a decade working in both the K-12 and higher education arenas in Washington, DC and Florida, before relocating to the metro-Atlanta area. Kristin’s academic journey began as a high school dual enrollment student at the community college in her hometown, before enrolling at the University of Florida where she earned both her B.A. and M.A. in History. She has since completed her doctorate with the Peabody College of Education at Vanderbilt University. Embracing the mission of open-access education, Kristin most enjoys working with educational partners to connect students to academic and occupational opportunities. In her spare time, she enjoys relaxing with her spouse Anthony and their two dogs, cheering Gator sports, and recharging by the pool with her family in Florida.
Shunteka Curtis
Assistant Admissions Director
Shunteka Curtis was born in Atlanta, GA., where she graduated from Columbia High School. After graduating from high school, she went straight into the United States Armed Forces and is a proud Army veteran. She contributes her discipline and organizational skills to her time served in the military.
In 2004, Shunteka came to Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) as an intern through the New Connections to Work program. This is when she discovered her passion for assisting students with improving their lifestyles through higher education. Beginning her tenure in 2005, she has served in several full-time roles in the GPTC Admissions Office such as admissions processor, coordinator of admissions operations, and is currently the assistant director of admissions. While working at GPTC, she also attended and graduated with several TCCs, diplomas, and an Associate Degree from the college. She would later go on to obtain her Bachelor of Science degree in Management and is now pursuing her MBA.
Outside of GPTC, Shunteka is a proud mother of five and enjoys spending time with her family. She believes the time spent with her husband, kids and family is when she’s most peaceful.
N. André David
Instructor of Business Technology
N. André David is a motivated professional with over 20 years of experience in higher education and 25+ in private and public service. He has served as an Adjunct, Assistant Professor, Department Chair, Division Chair, Dean of Students, Assistant Director of a Community College campus, a Senior Program Manager, and owned a consulting company.
Education includes a BBA in Finance/Economics, an MBA in Management, completion of all course work sans thesis for an MPA, graduate studies in Applied Computer Science, and currently pursuing a PhD in Higher Education Administration after changing from Computer Information Security and Data Science.
He is a Naturalized American, born and raised in British Guyana, South America; emigrated to New York, then relocated to Georgia after serving eight years in the US Army. He is a father of four, a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., active in community service, likes to read and travel.
Tyreece Echols
Special Populations Analyst
Tyreece C. Echols is enthusiastic and passionate about bringing out the very best in students academically and in their career pursuits. She enjoys combining her experience in higher education, business, and banking to serve her students. Tyreece holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Albany State University and a Master of Arts degree in Leadership with an emphasis in organizations from Shorter University.
Previously, Tyreece has worked for Georgia State University, Virginia College and Southern Crescent Technical College as an adjunct instructor, tutor and career and academic advisor.
Tyreece also enjoys serving her community by conducting workshops on topics such as: how to maximize the benefits of social media in business, creating a winning resume and cover letter, time management and goal setting. Some of these platforms include: 'Dress for Success Atlanta', Association of Talent Development (ATD), Westwood College, Georgia Christian Business Network (GCBN), Morehouse School of Medicine, Strayer University, Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce, Virginia College and Georgia Piedmont Technical College. Tyreece is excited and honored to serve students and staff at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, as a special populations analyst.
Antwania Massey
Director of Cosmetology
Antwania Massey attended Georgia Piedmont Technical College and received her cosmetology diploma in 2007 and an Instructor Trainee Certificate in 2011. She began working at GPTC in August 2011 as a cosmetology adjunct instructor teaching the dual enrollment courses at Newton College and Career Academy. In 2014, Antwania became a full time employee at GPTC and is now serving as the cosmetology program director. Outside of work, Antwania serves as the assistant director of the young adult choir and a youth ministry instructor at The Way The Truth and The Life Christian Center.
In her spare time, Antwania loves arts and crafts and she is an extreme Marvel and DC fan. She also loves making creative culinary dishes with her husband and daughter.
Shirley Pace
Administrative Assistant to Vice President of Student Affairs
Shirley Pace was born in the Windy City – Chicago, Illinois. During her freshman year in high school, she relocated to Atlanta, Georgia and never looked back. During her 19 years tenure with Georgia Piedmont Technical College, she has served in several roles such an secretary in the developmental studies department, admissions records; worked as a processor in the Office of Admissions, administrative assistant in campus life and health and wellness, and currently assumes the role as an administrative assistant to the vice president of student affairs.
Her future goal is to pursue a master and doctoral degree in psychology because she has a passion to mentor others to overcome emotional and mental barriers. When she is not at work, Shirley enjoys spending time with her friends and family and her little two-year-old baby Yorkshire terrier. Her three granddaughters, including her little Nala, keep her young. Shirley also loves traveling, outdoor activities and other fun events and activities.
Chasidy Parks
Interim Adult Education Program Coordinator
Growing up in the small town of Milledgeville, GA shaped Chasidy Parks into the person she is today. After graduating from high school, she obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in Risk Management from Georgia State University and a Master of Business Administration in Business Management from Troy University. Chasidy has worked at Georgia Piedmont Technical College for 7 years in the adult education department. Currently, she is the interim adult education coordinator at the South DeKalb campus. Among students and staff, she is known for her friendly, over-the-top, and fun personality. Her career aspirations include becoming a campus dean or spearheading a program that is dedicated to providing resources to college students in need.
When she is not working, spending time with my family is her main priority. Chasidy also enjoys watching TV, participating in my children’s extracurricular activities, website building, arts and crafts, and catering events with her husband.
Walter Putnam
Assistant Police Chief
Walter Putman is a native of Toccoa, GA and has been in law enforcement for over 30 years. Throughout his career in law enforcement, he has served in several capacities including Uniform Patrol, Traffic Enforcement Units, Special Operations, and even Undercover Operations. He has a passion for protecting people and being a trusted leader in his community. He has been employed at Georgia Piedmont Technical College for eleven years. Since 2019, he proudly serves as the Assistant Chief of Police at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. When he is not at work, you can probably find Walter playing baseball, enjoying the beach, or hanging out with his three children.
Maureen Watt
Administrative Assistant
Maureen D. Watt-Heron graduated from Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) with a business office technology diploma and business administrative technology degree. She is thankful for being a part of the GPTC family since 2000.
She enjoys serving as an affiliated staff member with Campus Crusade for Christ, a Kairos volunteer giving her love, encouragement, and support to women whose loved ones are incarcerated. She served on the commissioner’s Citizen Advisory Panel (CAP) for the Georgia Department of Corrections.
In her spare time, Maureen loves traveling with her precious grandbabies, listening to music, cooking, creating arts and craft, and gardening.
