Warner Robins, Ga. – Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) bids a heartfelt farewell to Mrs. Brenda Brown, Vice President for Adult Education, who is retiring this December after an illustrious 32-year career at the College.
Over three decades, Mrs. Brown has shaped adult education and literacy efforts in Central Georgia earning recognition as a compassionate educator, relentless advocate, and inspiring leader.
“The work she has done is speaking for her,” said Dorothy Ferguson, director of Operations for CGTC’s Adult Education Division. “Look at all the lives she has changed. That is probably the greatest gift we can offer her in her retirement.”
Mrs. Brown’s tenure has been marked by transformative accomplishments, including her innovative response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. She spearheaded virtual and digital literacy programs, as well as food drive initiatives, to keep adult learners engaged and on track toward their goals.
Under her leadership, the College’s literacy programs flourished, cementing her reputation as a trailblazer in education. Dr. Ivan H. Allen, president of CGTC, noted, “She is the very foundation of who CGTC tries every day to be in the community. Brenda Brown opened the doors of opportunity for countless individuals.”
In December, representatives from the Macon-Bibb Mayor’s Literacy Alliance presented Mrs. Brown with a proclamation from Mayor Lester Miller declaring December 12, 2024 as Brenda Brown Day in recognition of her lifelong commitment to education and literacy.
Reflecting on her journey, Mrs. Brown said her career began with some uncertainty.
“Adult Education in Georgia was a blank canvas for each of us to determine how to best reach students academically,” she said. “We were mostly teaching adults to read. But now everything we do is teamwork. We never do anything by ourselves. Literacy is teamwork.”
Her career began in the early 1990s when her late husband encouraged her to apply for a position at the pre-consolidated Middle Georgia Technical Institute. Through determination and faith, she excelled in her position, eventually becoming the first Vice President for Adult Education in the Technical College System of Georgia.
As she looks forward to retirement, Mrs. Brown plans to focus on her health, travel, and spending time shopping with her daughters. She leaves behind a strong legacy and confidence in her “A-Team” to continue advancing the College’s mission.
For more information on the Adult Education Division at CGTC, visit, www.centralgatech.edu/adult-education
About Central Georgia Technical College
As one of the largest two-year colleges in the state, CGTC operates three campuses and five centers throughout central Georgia, serving more than 30,000 individuals annually. CGTC is focused on connecting graduates to careers by offering quality education services, assuring a well -qualified workforce to support a healthy local economy. CGTC is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia and is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. For more information about CGTC, visit www.centralgatech.edu. Like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/centralgatech), Twitter (@CGTC), and Instagram (@centralgatech).