Gwinnett Tech's president, Sharon J. Bartels, has a high profile not only in Gwinnett County,
but throughout the state of Georgia. She has been named one of Georgia Trend's 100 most powerful and influential Georgians, and was named Gwinnett Magazine's 2005 Woman of the year.
Bartels joined Gwinnett Tech's leadership team in 1986 as the school's director of marketing and was promoted to executive director for institutional advancement in 1990. She was named Gwinnett Tech's president in September 1996, after serving as interim president for six months.
The many accomplishments of Gwinnett Tech's president include creating and implementing a comprehensive marketing program that led the institution to become one of Georgia's largest two-year technical colleges. In addition, Bartels played a vital role in directing Gwinnett Tech's initial accreditation visit from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. As a result of the visit, the institution gained accreditation in record time for a state technical institute, making it one of a handful of technical schools with this accreditation.
Another of Bartels' achievements is the creation of the Gwinnett Tech Foundation. The Foundation's first capital campaign funded approximately one-third of the cost for the George Busbee International Center for Workforce Development. The Busbee Center, a 70,000-square-foot advanced technology center with a 350-seat high-tech auditorium, opened in the fall of 2003. The Center further advances the college as it provides relevant knowledge for the workforce of the 21st century.
In July 2006, Gwinnett Tech celebrated the opening of the D. Scott Hudgens, Jr., Early Education Center, the college's latest live learning lab. The $7 million state-of-the-art facility serves as an interactive classroom and observation site for students enrolled in the college's Early Childhood Care and Education program and provides the community with child care and preschool instruction. The Center is supported by the donations and contributions of over 50 area businesses and corporations who share Gwinnett Tech's commitment to education - for all ages.
Bartels is also an active leader within the education profession and the community. She is currently a member of the Early Learning Commission. Now serving as co-chair of the Gwinnett Chamber's Partnership Gwinnett Initiative, Bartels was recognized by the Chamber with their Public Service Award in 2004. She served as chairman of the board for the Chamber for 2001 and has also served as vice chair for the Chamber's economic development, education and regional issues committees. She is currently a member of the Chamber executive committee.
A former long-time member of the Gwinnett Rotary Club, Bartels also served on the board of directors for the United Way of Gwinnett and chaired their 2004 campaign. In 2008, Bartels was named a Gwinnett United Way Women's Legacy Award winner, honored in the legacy category.
She is also currently a board member of the Emory Board of Visitors, Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful and Georgia Gwinnett College.
A 1992 graduate of Leadership Gwinnett, Bartels is a 1998 graduate of the Regional Leadership Institute. Bartels earned her undergraduate and master's degrees from the University of Georgia.
Gwinnett Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, 404-679-4500, www.sacscoc.org for questions about the accreditation of Gwinnett Technical College.