GADSDEN – Dr. Chanel L. Fort has been appointed dean of academic programs and services at Gadsden State Community College. She replaces Dr. Farrah Hayes, who was named the director of the new Challenger Learning Center.
Fort brings more than two decades of diverse experience in leadership and program development to her new role at Gadsden State.
“We look forward to the positive impact Dr. Fort will make in shaping the future of our academic programs and furthering Gadsden State’s mission of student success and community development,” said Gadsden State President Dr. Kathy Murphy.
Fort holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and Health Services Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham; a master’s degree in Human Services and Healthcare Administration from Capella University; and a doctoral degree in Education, Global Leadership and Change from Pepperdine University, which she completed in July.
Prior to joining Gadsden State, Fort served as the director of outcomes assessment at Jefferson State Community College, where she led the college-wide assessment and accreditation process for all four of its campuses. From 2016 to 2021, she was the CEO and learning strategist at Fortified Learning Solutions, an organization she founded.
“I accepted the position at Gadsen State because the institution exudes excellence in education practice, operations, people power and leadership,” Fort said. “Accepting the position at Gadsden State also allows me to share my wisdom in educational leadership and steer the vision of academics, which is my career passion.”
Other roles Fort has held include adjunct instructor at Jefferson State, corporate dean of health sciences for Education Corporation of America and program director of Pharmacy and Office Administration Programs at Virginia College. She has also worked as a grants officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health and as a district pharmacy training coordinator and pharmacy profit-and-loss analyst for Walgreens.
As the dean of Academic Services, Fort will oversee all academic instructional programs and services, including program development and revision, library sciences, online instruction and international programs. She will also manage the Alabama Language Institute and lead the development and implementation of strategic planning for academic programs.
“Gadsden State is one of the most professional colleges I’ve been associated with,” she said. “The professionalism has been spot-on from the interview to onboarding. It is the level of quality in educational excellence that I most appreciate. Gadsden State is also a community staple with a tremendous reputation. I have friends who’ve graduated from Gadsden State, and all speak highly of the college.
“For this reason, I’m an immediate fan and grateful to be a Cardinal.”
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