December 19, 2020
ATLANTA (December 19, 2020) – Atlanta Technical College (ATC) is pleased to announce two new members to the Atlanta Technical College Local Board of Directors, Mr. Robby Gulri and Mr. Miguel “Mike” Ramos. These new members were approved by the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia to serve three 3-year terms.
“The Local Board of Directors represents the connection to our community and how best to address the gaps,” said Dr. Victoria Seals, president of ATC. “We are pleased that Atlanta Technical College continues to be a fundamental part of the metro Atlanta community, and our newest additions to our Local Board of Directors will continue to assist the College as we seek new ways to better serve our students.”
Mr. Robby Gulri is the CEO of SEVA Security. His professional experience includes serving as CEO of Freeway Stores, LLC, and chief marketing officer of Engage Talent. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering with a minor in mathematics from Georgia Tech and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus in the management of information systems and marketing from the Robinson School of Business at Georgia State University. His experience in community development includes running Community Consulting Teams of Atlanta, a non-profit that provides more than $1M of pro bono consulting expertise to 15 non-profits every year in the areas of marketing, strategy, IT, and board development. He is a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2018.
Mr. Miguel “Mike” Ramos is the Executive Director of Hapeville Charter Schools. His other professional experience includes serving as COO/Regional Director of Operations in the US Army, achieving the rank of Command Sgt. Major; Senior Executive Director of CCS Fundraising in Chicago, Illinois; and Senior Director of Delta Career Education Corporation. After his retirement from 26 years of active duty in the US Army, he transitioned to higher education, starting as the Director of Admissions for Rasmussen College, at the Ocala, Florida, campus, then as Senior Director of Admissions for the online division of Rasmussen College. In 2009, he became the Regional Director of Admissions for the online and five residential campuses in Florida, and in December of 2010, became the Campus President for the Land O’ Lakes campus in Land O’ Lakes, Florida. He has served on several boards, including the North Carolina Adult Education Association (NCAEA), North Carolina Association of Career Colleges and Schools (NCACCS), Rotary Club of Ocala, Florida; VPK-Early Learning Coalition of Marion County (Ocala, Florida); and the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (Tampa, Florida). He also serves on the Advisory Board of UMA Academy, Tampa. Adult Education Association (NCAEA), North Carolina Association of Career Colleges and Schools (NCACCS), Rotary Club of Ocala, Florida; VPK-Early Learning Coalition of Marion County (Ocala, Florida); and the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (Tampa, Florida). He also serves on the Advisory Board of UMA Academy, Tampa.
The Atlanta Technical College Local Board of Directors represents the college’s service area of the City of Atlanta and Fulton and Clayton Counties. The Local Board of Directors facilitates the delivery of programs, services, and activities as directed by the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia, advises the president of local industry and community needs for the programs and services to be provided by Atlanta Technical College, and advocates within the community and in the state on issues of importance in support of the Technical College System of Georgia and Georgia’s workforce development efforts.
The Atlanta Technical College Office of Adult Education welcomes its new Dean of Adult Education, Dr. Monique Brown. Dr. Monique Brown is an Indiana native and has been in the Atlanta area for nine years. She was educated at Talledega College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry. She earned a Master of Science in management and a Doctor of Education from Oakland City University. Dr. Brown has an array of professional experience with previous employment at Mead Johnson/Bristol-Myers, Earle C. Clements Job Corps, and AARP Foundation. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Stillman and Talladega Colleges. She most recently served as an instructor of adult education at Southern Crescent Technical College, where she was named Adult Education Instructor of the Year. Undoubtedly, her passion is outreach and changing lives through education. She believes her assignment in Adult Education will open a platform to empower communities, “one mind at a time.”
Dr. Brown’s predecessor, Dorna Werdelin, transitioned in June 2020 within the college from the Associate Vice President of Adult Education to Associate Vice President of Communications, Marketing, and Public Relations after serving in the interim role since the beginning of 2020. Ms. Werdelin’s 25-year career in communications, public relations, and journalism began after she graduated from Spelman College and began working for Upscale Magazine in Atlanta. After moving back to her home of St. Croix and working as a deputy information officer for Hess Oil Virgin Islands, she transitioned to working for the State of Georgia, where she has been for 15 years, with roles including Communications and Learning Officer at the Georgia Department of Administrative Services and the Assistant Director of the Enterprise Learning Division of the Georgia Leadership Institute, implemented by Governor Sonny Perdue in 2005. Ms. Werdelin holds an MBA in HR Management and is currently pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Georgia. Ms. Werdelin is a member of ColorComm and PRSA Georgia and sits on the board of directors of the Georgia Adult Education Association. Ms. Werdelin is dedicated to creating spaces of excellence to amplify the award-winning programs, faculty, staff, and students at Atlanta Technical College. Her favorite quote by Marianne Williamson is, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”