Forsyth Tech Hires New VP of Instructional Services, Chief Academic Officer

By Staff

Forsyth Tech announces that Dr. Joel Welch has joined the college as the new vice president for Instructional Services and chief academic officer. Welch’s appointment became effective January 4, 2016.

In his new role, Welch is responsible for all credit instruction at Forsyth Tech, which includes overseeing 68 associate degrees, as well as providing faculty leadership, program development, community outreach, and general program administration.

Welch came to Forsyth Tech from Greenville Technical College (GTC) in South Carolina, where his most recent position was dean of the Business & Technology Division. He also served GTC as faculty member, department head, dean for Engineering Technology and associate vice president for Administration. Prior to joining GTC in 1998, he worked as a consulting engineer for 10 years.

While at GTC, Welch served as the lead academic advisor on the design team for the construction of a Center for Manufacturing Innovation and represented GTC in a partnership with the South Carolina National Guard to construct a joint-use facility for Aircraft Maintenance and Truck Driver training.

“We are excited that Joel has joined us,” said Dr. Gary Green, president of Forsyth Tech. “Joel brings to this position a deep background in community college education, civil engineering and advanced manufacturing. His demonstrated ability to build partnerships with business and industry and his clear
leadership skills will allow us to expand our innovative course offerings and prepare our students in even greater ways to meet the increasingly rigorous academic and training demands of the 21st century workplace.”

“I am thrilled to be joining Forsyth Tech as vice president for Instructional Services and chief academic officer,” Welch said. “I look forward to leading the college’s strong, dedicated and accomplished faculty in creating new and relevant programmatic opportunities for our students supported by the further development of strong community partnerships.”

Welch earned his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from The Citadel, master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of South Carolina, and Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Clemson University. Welch and his wife, Lisa, have three children.

Welch fills a position left vacant by Dr. Conley Winebarger who retired from Forsyth Tech last June.