Randy Thompson, a Cochran resident with extensive experience in business management and education, is Middle Georgia State University’s new director of Campus & Community Engagement. 

In his new position, Thompson will focus on three communities where MGA has campuses – Cochran, Dublin, and Eastman. Representing the Office of the President, he will promote MGA to and within those communities through cultivating professional relationships with civic leaders and other key individuals, coordinating with local governments, and participating in clubs and organizations.  

“As a native of Cochran, Randy knows our campus communities well,” said Ember Bishop Bentley, MGA’s vice president for Government & External Affairs and Chief of Staff. “We are proud to have an MGA alumnus joining our External Affairs team. We are confident in his ability to authentically connect with leaders in Cochran, Dublin, and Eastman. Randy will continue to leverage the value of our University to build partnerships, expand opportunities for students, and strengthen the economic impact in the communities we serve.” 

A U.S. Army veteran, Thompson most recently served as superintendent of schools in Garden Valley, Idaho. He has taught high school business education and Spanish at Bleckley County High School and business education at Toombs County High School. Thompson lived in Mexico for two years and is fluent in Spanish.  

 “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to give back and foster meaningful connections between Middle Georgia State University and the people who make these communities special,” Thompson said. “I am looking forward to renewing professional relationships and making new ones while exploring ways MGA can continue to engage with and serve Cochran, Dublin, and Eastman.” 

Before moving into education, Thompson spent 25 years at GEICO in various management positions overseeing personnel and budgets. Those positions included serving as regional liability claims director while based in Macon and as director of Claims Performance Review at the company’s home office in Washington, D.C.  

Thompson holds an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from the University of Idaho, a master’s in Educational Leadership from Thomas University, a master’s in business management and bachelor’s in human resource management from Georgia Southwestern State University, and an associate’s in Business Administration from the former Middle Georgia College, now MGA.  

Serving 7,600+ students, MGA is the University System of Georgia’s best value among state universities. In addition to Cochran, Dublin, and Eastman, MGA serves students on campuses in Macon and Warner Robins. The University offers 65+ areas of study and is home (in Eastman) to Georgia’s only flagship School of Aviation.