June 14, 2013- Albany, Ga.-- Albany Technical has announced the promotion of current Associate Vice President of Adult Education, Linda H. Coston, to Vice President of Adult Education.
A native of Leesburg, Georgia and graduate of the Lee County School System, Coston received her bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the Albany State University School of Business and her master's degree in Administration from Georgia Southwestern State University. She also completed the Leadership Excellency Academy training program with ProLiteracy and is a Certified Manager in Program Improvement (CMPI®).
Coston began her career with Albany Tech in 1993 as the Director of Continuing Education. In 1996, she established the Adult Literacy program for the college's seven-county service delivery area (SDA) with responsibility for program operations and grant writing. She has held positions of Director, Dean and Associate Vice President with the College. During her leadership in the Adult Education program, an average of 1600 students are enrolled annually. In the course of the last five years, examinees were tested for the GED® with 2,011 GED® credentials awarded.
Prior to her employment with Albany Tech, Coston was employed in industry and banking for over 20 years. She is actively involved in community service and currently serves as the Vice-Chairman for the Albany Housing Authority. In addition, she has current or past affiliations with the following organizations: Communities in Schools, Youth Opportunity (YO!), Sowega Council on Aging, Family Connections in Baker, Clay, Calhoun, Lee, Randolph, and Terrell Counties, Region 10 Certified Literate Community Program, Randolph County READS, and the Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE).
With a passion for literacy, Coston says her goal is to provide services to significantly increase the literacy rates in Albany Tech's SDA counties of Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Dougherty, Lee, Randolph, and Terrell Counties.
"We will never realize economic development until we improve literacy within our communities," said Coston.
Coston says the lack of education is tied to poverty, crime, and unemployment. "Education is essential to everyday life and without the ability to read, write and possess computer skills, it is difficult to navigate through the world we live in," she added. "I believe education is the foundation for a successful workforce and community."
Coston is the mother of one daughter, one son, and grandmother of four.
Linda H. Coston, Vice President of Adult Education at Albany Technical College.