Dr. Kirk A. Nooks, president of Metropolitan Community College’s Longview campus in Lee’s Summit, Mo., has been tapped to lead Gordon State College in Barnesville, Ga.
A champion for diversity in the academy, Nooks has held administrative posts at Georgia Highlands College, Northern Virginia Community College and Prince George’s Community College.
Prior to his career in higher education, Nooks worked as an engineering project manager at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center.
“The selection of Dr. Nooks as president of Gordon State underscores the board’s commitment in providing the college with strong leadership,” said Jim Hull, chair of the Board of Regents that oversees the University System of Georgia. “His past experiences in higher education will be an asset in helping to increase Gordon State’s enrollment and provide a strong foundation for the college.”
Gordon State, which offers both associates and targeted bachelor’s degrees, has about 4,000 students. But like many institutions throughout Georgia and across the nation, the institution experienced a decline in student enrollment over the past decade. He said efforts already are underway to increase the numbers.
“We believe the capacity and excitement is there to build on that,” Nooks said in an interview with Diverse, adding that because the college offers residential living, efforts can be made to draw in students from across the region.
Nooks, who completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Mercer University in Macon, Ga., said he knew Gordon State “was a great institution, but never thought that one day I would be connected to it.”
