Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) recently announced its newest dean of its Heath Sciences Division, Dr. Alvin Harmon.

Dr. Harmon joins the College following service as the interim Dean for Science, Mathematics and Health Professions at Atlanta Metropolitan State College.

While at Atlanta Metropolitan, Dr. Harmon also served as division head and as an assistant professor of Biology. During that time, he served as the principal or co-principal administrator on several grant projects, including the National Science Foundation Louis Stokes Alliance Minority Participation (LSAMP) grant, the NASA Georgia Space Consortium award in partnership with Georgia Tech, as well as, partnerships with the Morehouse School of Medicine and the Grady School of Radiology Technology and Imaging.

“Our College and this unit, in particular, have demonstrated their capabilities to rise and even thrive when we work together on student success and our workforce and community development mission,” said Dr. Amy Holloway, vice president for Academic Affairs, on Dr. Harmon’s appointment and the College’s selection process for its growing Health Sciences Division. “CGTC is excited to welcome a Dr. Harmon to our college community.”

Dr. Harmon said he values the commitment of the College to support its surrounding communities and is part of the reason serving in this capacity piqued his interest.

“I was most interested in serving at Central Georgia Technical College because its’ mission is to promote workforce development in the Middle Georgia community,” he said. “As I am a product of the Bibb County Public School System, this position offers me the opportunity to positively impact the area. In addition, CGTC is geographically located to serve the health care industry of some of the surrounding communities, which are designated as rural. As there is a tremendous need for health care practitioners in rural America, this position provides me the opportunity to serve and help address these health care industry workforce challenges.”

Dr. Harmon holds a Ph.D. in Neurobiology from Georgia State University and a B.S. in Biology from Morehouse College. He is also a 2016 graduate of the Executive Leadership Institute program sponsored by the University System Board of Regents.

The community might be surprised to know that, a number of years ago, Dr. Harmon published a children’s science book and recorded a science rap song to accompany the book. Harmon said the book, “Dr. Al and Craig in the Scientific Method” was organized in a manner that consisted of a story that explained a science concept, one practice quiz about the science concept, and one rap song about the science concept.

There has been no word yet on if he will share the story and perform the rap to students or faculty but he did have this to say about the Division growing in excellence.

“One motivating factor that drives me is the belief that every individual has the ability to acquire knowledge and to develop skills, which will allow them to be productive members of our community,” he said.

“My hope is that by listening to personnel and students, by working with industry partners to develop strategies on how we meet current and future workforce needs, and by expressing my enthusiasm for what Central Georgia Technical College offers this community; it encourages personnel and students to grow in their own success.”

Dr. Harmon is originally from Macon and still has family ties in the region.