Gadsden State Community College has a New Dean of Student Services

PHOTO: Andy Green of Jacksonville names the new Dean of Student Services.

Taniesa L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News

GADSDEN, Ala. - Gadsden State Community College has a new Dean of Student Services. Andy Green of Jacksonville provides leadership, strategic planning, and executive oversight of student enrollment, retention, and success for credit and non-credit programs.

“I see the opportunities that community colleges have in serving the state of Alabama,” said Green. “Community colleges provide academic courses, workforce development opportunities, adult education, and so much more. I understand the mission of the Alabama Community College System – to ensure educational accessibility, excellence, and equity for Alabama citizens. This closely aligns with who I am as a person.”

Green comes to Gadsden State from Jacksonville State University, where he worked for 18 years. He earned two degrees from JSU– a bachelor’s degree in geography in 2005 and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in spatial analysis management in 2008.

“Two weeks after earning my bachelor’s degree, I went to work at JSU as an admissions counselor,” Green said. “I had a great time traveling in the region recruiting students to JSU.”

Three years later, Green was named a Senior Admissions Counselor at Jacksonville State University.

“This position opened up the operations side of Admissions,” Green said. “I got into the application process and transcript reviews, which I had not done before.”

In 2009, Green became the Director of Academic Advising, which was a new position that centralized advising for undecided majors and student-athletes. A year later, he was named Director of Enrollment Management, where he developed and executed an enrollment and recruitment plan that provided a 77 percent increase in first-year and transfer applications over seven years.

In 2017, Green landed the position of Director of Community Engagement and was responsible for forming partnerships between the university and community-based organizations, professionals, and economic enterprises.  The position eventually became responsible for continuing education and outreach as well.

In 2022, he was named Assistant Dean of Honors and Special Programs. It was an opportunity for him to gain experience in academic affairs.

“I enjoyed working with students in the honors program,” Green said. “I worked closely with organizations in our service area to create and organize community service opportunities for these students. My experience across JSU allowed me to understand how the honors program is vital to the institution. They are students who are the brightest and the best. I worked with them to ensure that they are engaged in the college experience and have a strong sense of belonging. It was exciting to be a part of it.”

Now, Green has turned his attention to Gadsden State Community College and is excited about being a part of a team that is making a difference in the lives of students.

“We know the value that certificates and degrees bring to individuals of all ages and their communities,” he said. “For me, the goal is to ensure that everyone knows what Gadsden State has to offer and to understand that what we have to offer will positively impact lives.”

Green values partnerships and said he is consistently taking on a collaborative approach in his work.

“Gadsden State is partnering with organizations to promote a vital workforce in our service area and the entire state,” he said. “We are bridging education to the private sector for employment. Relationship building is so important.”

Green has cultivated his relationship with his community for many years.  He was elected to the Jacksonville City Council in 2020 and was appointed to the Civil Service Board and the Commercial Development Authority, of which he served as chairman in 2019.

Green, a married father of two has served in leadership roles in the Alabama Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the Alabama Banner Users Group, and the Alabama ACT Council.

Through the Calhoun Area Chamber of Commerce, he served as co-chair of the Calhoun County Complete Count Census Committee, was named Ambassador of the Year, and is a graduate of Leadership Calhoun County.

Through The Chamber of Gadsden and Etowah, Green was in the inaugural cohort of the Professional Leadership Academy and is a graduate of Leadership Etowah.

“I believe in public service,” he said. “I believe in serving our communities in impactful ways,” Green added.

Green, who started his job on Nov. 30, said he intends to help Gadsden State students achieve their definition of success.

“What is success?” he said. “Is it a paycheck? Is it the degree you earned? I want our students to achieve their level of success and to feel like they are valued members of society.” (Press Release from GSCC)