THOMASVILLE — Southern Regional Technical College has announced that Mandy Ponder and Dana Lewis have assumed new roles at the college. Ponder will serve as director of high school initiatives and Lewis has been named assistant director of high school initiatives beginning June 1.

Prior to Ponder’s current role as director of high school initiatives, she served as high school coordinator at SRTC for the past 16 years, according to a press release from SRTC. As high school coordinator, Ponder managed the development and implementation of dual, joint, and high school initiatives programs as well as articulation at the college. She served as the primary contact for high school administrators, counselors, and staff to promote seamless guidance between secondary and post-secondary education. Before coming to SRTC, Ponder worked as the enrollment specialist and HOPE information coordinator at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Ponder holds an Associate of Science degree, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Management, and a Master of Education in Education Leadership.

As director of high school initiatives, Ponder will oversee the administration, development, and implementation of initiatives aimed at expanding dual enrollment opportunities for high school students throughout South Georgia, the college said. She will supervise SRTC’s high school coordinators and manage the operating budget for the department. Ponder’s key responsibilities will include developing and implementing career and technical programs of study that lead to industry-recognized credentials, certificates, diplomas, or associate degrees for high school students. She will coordinate with high schools, college administrators, instructors, and industry partners to establish and promote dual enrollment programs, articulation agreements, and seamless pathways for students to transition from high school to postsecondary education or employment. Additionally, Ponder will serve as the primary point of contact for high school coordinators, collaborate with counselors and administrators, track data on dual enrollment students and graduates, and ensure compliance with policies and procedures related to dual enrollment programs.

Lewis has worked at the college for over 11 years, SRTC said. Prior to her current role, she served as assistant high school coordinator, career services coordinator, and student life coordinator at the college. In her role as assistant high school coordinator, Lewis was responsible for dual enrollment recruitment across four counties. She worked with administration, faculty, staff, and students to increase dual enrollment participation from 300 to over 500 students at Colquitt County High School. Lewis holds an Associate of Science degree, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, and a Master of Business Administration.

As assistant director of high school initiatives, Lewis will support the director in managing and executing various educational initiatives, focusing on dual enrollment opportunities for high school students that lead to industry-recognized credentials or postsecondary qualifications, the college said. She will track enrollment data, coordinate testing and registration with local high schools, and ensure seamless integration between secondary and postsecondary institutions. Additionally, Lewis will serve as the primary contact for SRTC’s high school coordinators, providing guidance to students and parents, liaising with educational partners, and maintaining up-to-date dual enrollment procedures.

“Mandy and Dana have been invaluable assets to our dual enrollment and high school programs,” said SRTC President Jim Glass. “I have the utmost confidence that in their new roles, they will take our high school initiatives to new heights, expanding opportunities for students to get a head start on college while still in high school.”

Under Ponder and Lewis’s leadership in high school initiatives, the dual enrollment program continues to grow. Over the past two years, the college has seen a 51% increase in dual enrollment, the press release said.