WGTC President Dr. Julie Post Named to 500 Most Influential Leaders List

West Georgia Technical College President Dr. Julie Post has been named to the “500 Most Influential Leaders” list by Georgia Trend magazine for the fifth year in a row, West Georgia Technical College reported.

The annual publication recognizes leaders across various industries and organizations who drive impact throughout the state of Georgia. Post was one of nine presidents from the Technical College System of Georgia to receive this distinction.

The list includes 35 leaders with direct ties to higher education, reflecting how academic leaders drive Georgia's economic and civic development.

The recognition comes as the institution reaches several historic milestones under Post’s leadership, which began in 2021. The college recently reported its highest annual enrollment since 2012.

In the 2026 academic year, the college served 10,276 students. This marks the first time the institution has surpassed the 10,000-student threshold in a single academic year since 2019.

Growth has been particularly pronounced in the digital space. Nearly 7,800 students enrolled in at least one online course this past year, setting a new record for the college.

This move toward virtual learning changes how the region accesses technical education. Online participation has more than doubled since 2016.

Metric	Value/Status
2026 Total Enrollment	10,276 students
Online Course Enrollment	Nearly 7,800 students
Annual Awards Conferred	More than 4,000

The surge in student numbers has translated directly into workforce readiness. During the most recent academic year, WGTC conferred more than 4,000 awards, the highest total in the history of the college.

“I am honored to be recognized for a fifth consecutive year,” Post said. “This recognition reflects the dedication of the faculty, staff, and students at West Georgia Technical College, whose commitment to excellence continues to expand opportunities and strengthen communities across our region.”

Post’s academic background emphasizes a focus on the intersection of education and the labor market. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Northern Kentucky University and a Master of Arts in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College.

She earned her Doctor of Education from the University of Georgia. Her research in this field was previously recognized by The University Council on Workforce and Human Resource Education, which awarded her the Outstanding Dissertation of the Year for her work titled “The Role of Dual Enrollment in the Educational Achievement of Technical College Students.”

The emphasis on dual enrollment highlights a critical lever in modern technical education: allowing students to gain credentials and credits while still in secondary school to accelerate their entry into the specialized workforce.

The expansion of the college’s footprint through online learning and record-breaking graduation numbers suggests a tightening link between regional technical training and the immediate needs of Georgia’s industrial and service sectors.