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Mike Hobbs became the President of Georgia Highlands College in July 2022. Originally from Ensley, Ala., Dr. Hobbs is a first-generation high school graduate and a first-generation college graduate. He earned an associate degree in applied science from Jefferson State and completed his bachelor’s in criminal justice from the University of Alabama – Birmingham (UAB). He also earned his master’s degree in education supervision and leadership from UAB and completed his Ph.D. in community college leadership from Mississippi State University. He has also completed post-graduate coursework in economics from the University of Detroit Mercy.
During his time at GHC, Dr. Hobbs has led impressive enrollment growth Fall 2023 (+6.7%), Spring 2024 (+5.6%), and Summer 2024 (+9%), as well as added a number of career-targeted bachelor’s degrees bringing the college’s total to 10.
Dr. Hobbs was recently chosen by students for the national Paragon Award at the PTK Catalyst national convention. The award recognizes college presidents who have shown significant support for student success initiatives leading to stronger pathways to completion, transfer and employment.
Additionally, under Dr. Hobbs’ leadership, GHC has been named a finalist for the $1 million Aspen Prize by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program for an unwavering focus on student success and outcomes.
Mike Hobbs became the President of Georgia Highlands College in July 2022. Originally from Ensley, Ala., Hobbs is a first-generation high school graduate and a first-generation college graduate. He earned an associate degree in applied science from Jefferson State and completed his bachelor’s in criminal justice from the University of Alabama – Birmingham (UAB). He also earned his master’s degree in education supervision and leadership from UAB and completed his Ph.D. in community college leadership from Mississippi State University. He has also completed post-graduate coursework in economics from the University of Detroit Mercy. Prior to joining Jefferson State, Hobbs served as coordinator of Admission Services at UAB. Hobbs’ previous roles at Jefferson State include dean of Enrollment Services, director of Enrollment Services, coordinator of Transfer Advising and Dual Enrollment and professor of economics. In addition to teaching at Jefferson State, he has been an adjunct instructor in economics at Samford University in Birmingham and in higher education for the executive Ed.D. program at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. Most recently, Hobbs served as vice president for Jefferson State where he played a key role leading the college’s efforts to increase overall cohort graduation by 200%, student retention by 22% and transfer-out rate to four-year schools by 20%. He also supported capital campaigns that generated more than $50 million for Jefferson State and the St. Clair County School Board.
