Atlanta, Ga. – Georgia Governor Brian Kemp recently appointed Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC), director of Nursing, Jessica Lupo Willcox, as member to the Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON).
By way of executive order signed on October 26, Willcox will now serve on the board for a three-year term, and until a successor is duly appointed and qualified, up to two consecutive terms. The GBON members develop rules and regulations that set the standards for nursing practice and education, provide the minimum qualifications for licensure, and ensure that disciplinary process is implemented in a fashion that guarantees due process and public protection.
“I am honored to serve on the Georgia Board of Nursing. This is a significant responsibility, and I am truly humbled to have been recommended and chosen for this position,” said Willcox. “I am eager to contribute my skills and experience to help advance the nursing profession and protect the public’s health and welfare in our great state.”
Upon receiving the appointment, Willcox expressed her gratitude for the College’s continued support and encouragement. CGTC and the Office of the President, Dr. Ivan H. Allen express their unwavering support of Willcox as she uses her acumen, passion, and commitment to support the state’s nursing industry and healthcare professionals.
“Dedication, hard-work, and innovation have become synonymous with Jessica’s leadership over nursing at CGTC,” said CGTC vice president of Academic Affairs, DeAnn Nester. “She has maintained a level of commitment to nursing education and a career trajectory that leaves none of us surprised she has reached this level of duty. We are excited to see her serve as a member of the Georgia Board of Nursing and have no doubt they will benefit from her appointment.”
Willcox holds an Associate of Science in Nursing degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Albany State University in Nursing and Nursing Education respectively and is pursuing her Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of West Georgia.
Since her full time arrival at the College in 2014, Willcox has led the development of the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program, and then given the duty of leading the Division of Nursing faculty to see it through to initial accreditation. CGTC earned that accreditation in 2019 from the Board of Commissioners for the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
After colleague nomination, and selection by a panel of local leaders, Willcox became the CGTC Rick Perkins Award (RPA) Winner for Excellence in Technical Education in 2020, and one of nine regional finalists among the 22-member Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG).
In February 2023, Willcox was named the Faculty Innovation in Global Education Award winner for the Community Colleges of International Development (CCID) for her work in pioneering service-learning study abroad for Nursing at CGTC.