Jones to Retire as Augusta Tech Vice-President

(article as written by Anne Marie Kyzer, The True Citizen)

New Year’s Day will mark a fresh start for Ella Jones. The top administrator at Augusta Technical College’s Waynesboro/Burke Campus announced she will retire Dec. 31.

After serving eight years as the Vice President of Operations here and 34 years total with Augusta Tech, Jones surprised faculty, staff and guests at the campus’s holiday luncheon with the announcement last Friday.

Jones first joined Augusta Tech as an instructor in the business department in 1978 and then climbed the ranks through admissions and as a dean before being named VP in Waynesboro.

“I’ve come to love Burke County,” she said. “And I’ve made a lot of friends here.”

Jones said working in education has been her life’s calling, and she knows her work won’t stop with retirement.

“I’m not finished yet,” she said, saying there is plenty of work to be done in after-school tutoring programs and mentoring young women.

When she’s not volunteering, Jones said she’ll likely travel and spend plenty of time with her highly anticipated first grandchild. Johnica Mitchell will take over as Dean/Director of the Waynesboro campus. As dean, Mitchell will be the lead administrator here since the campus will no longer have a VP position. An assistant dean will also be named to aid Mitchell. Mitchell first joined Augusta Tech 11 years ago when she came to the Waynesboro campus as a mathematics instructor. She currently serves as the Director of Academic and Student Affairs.

link to article in The True Citizen

http://www.thetruecitizen.com/news/2011-12-21/News/Jones_to_retire_as_local_Augusta_Tech_VP.html