Georgia Highlands College named Mary Transue the new Vice President of Advancement and Executive Director of the GHC Foundation in late November. She filled the vacancy left by Raymond Carnley who accepted a position with Middle Georgia State College as the Vice President of University Advancement and Executive Director of the MGSC Foundation.
“I am excited about this opportunity and am looking forward to joining the team at Georgia Highlands College,” Transue said. “Working with faculty and staff who are so obviously committed to student success, and demonstrate such a high level of cohesion, collaboration and collegiality is irresistible and definitely a good fit for me. I can already tell there is strong leadership and a solid vision taking shape for the College moving forward. I know we can accomplish great things together.”
Most recently, Transue served University of North Georgia as the Associate Vice President of Executive Affairs and was with the UNG Gainesville Campus since 2007. She was the governmental relations liaison for the university, and lead the division’s additional work in areas of community engagement, both Continuing Education divisions, economic development and the university’s grants and contracts office.
Transue has an extensive background in corporate healthcare and non-profit leadership, and has been able to leverage those acquired skills in higher education. Building and maintaining strong relationships and partnerships with communities and businesses are the keys to success for any organization, and is just one of the aspects of her job she enjoys the most.
Transue began her new position at GHC on December 15 with a clear focus on the communities surrounding GHC’s five campuses.
“Advancement, as the name implies, is all about advancing the college and the opportunities we develop for the students and the region. Taking an active role in engaging with all our communities, businesses and industry, civic organizations and elected officials is very important. We need these strong relationships to enhance our support for scholarship opportunities as well as enhancing workforce development and economic development opportunities in support of our region. These are the connections that foster donor and community support, and position our students for success going forward, and these are the connections we will be working on to strengthen and increase.”