NETC announces Dr. Melissa Frank-Alston as new president

Dr. Melissa Frank-Alston

Northeastern Technical College Board of Area Commissioners has selected Dr. Melissa Frank-Alston as its seventh president following a national search, making her the first woman in the college’s history to lead the institution. She is expected to begin on July 1.
Frank-Alston brings 30 years of higher education experience to the position. She joins NETC from Augusta Technical College, where she has served in several vice-presidential roles since 2005. Most recently, she served as provost and institutional accreditation liaison to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. She also served as interim president of Augusta Technical College from April through December 2025.
Area Commission Chairman Herbert Gould said he believes Dr. Frank-Alston will help move the college forward.
“I am confident that Dr. Frank-Alston will lead the College to greater heights,” Gould said in a press release.
Frank-Alston earned a doctorate in workforce education and development with an emphasis in training and human resources from Pennsylvania State University. She also holds a master’s degree in college student personnel from Western Illinois University and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Northwestern State University of Louisiana.
In a statement, Dr. Frank-Alston said she is honored to take on the leadership role at NETC and looks forward to serving students and the surrounding communities.
“Accepting the presidency of Northeastern Technical College is both humbling and exciting,” said Frank-Alston. “I believe deeply in the transformative power of education, and I am eager to serve alongside a dedicated team committed to student achievement and community impact.”
She added that she plans to work closely with students, faculty, staff, and community leaders to strengthen workforce partnerships, enhance academic excellence, and support student success.
“I look forward to working collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community to enhance academic excellence, strengthen workforce partnerships, and ensure every student has the support they need to achieve their goals,” she said.