The president of Georgia Highlands College says he plans to retire at the end of the year.

J. Randy Pierce announced Thursday that he will retire December 31st after 10 years at the helm of the two-year college with campuses in Rome, Cartersville and other parts of north Georgia. A search to replace Pierce will be launched in coming weeks.

Pierce took over the college in 2001. During his tenure, enrollment more than doubled to 5,500 students and the college was approved to begin offering four-year degrees for the first time.

Pierce also launched a competitive athletics program and created residencies in Rome for third- and fourth-year students at the Augusta-based Georgia Health Sciences University.

He began his career with the university system at Georgia State University in 1973 as a conference coordinator.

Tags: education, president, north Georgia, Georgia Highlands College, J. Randy Pierce