Interim North Ga. Tech president named

ATLANTA - An interim president has been named for North Georgia Technical College (NGTC) in Clarkesville replacing Dr. Ruth Nichols, who left the school last week following an internal investigation.

Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Commissioner Ron Jackson has named Steve Dougherty, the president of North Metro Technical College (NMTC), as the interim president at NGTC.

Nichols has accepted a new position in the TCSG's Atlanta headquarters.

"I'm most appreciative to President Dougherty for agreeing to accept this temporary assignment," Jackson said. "His knowledge and experience will provide steady leadership for the students, faculty and staff of North Georgia Technical College while we undertake the process to find that college's next president."

Dougherty will return to North Metro after the Jackson's selection to be the next NGTC president is approved by the state board that oversees the TCSG. The selection process usually takes between four and six months.

Nichols had been on paid administrative leave since May 1. The internal investigation reportedly found communications problems between Nichols and the faculty and staff at NGTC.