SGTC, GSW, and Sumter County Schools officials meet

February 2, 2026
Sumter County Schools Superintendent Walter Knighton, GSW President Dr. Michelle Johnson, and SGTC President Dr. John Watford hosted the meeting between GSW, SGTC, and Sumter County Schools officials.
Sumter County Schools Superintendent Walter Knighton, GSW President Dr. Michelle Johnson, and SGTC President Dr. John Watford hosted the meeting between GSW, SGTC, and Sumter County Schools officials.

   Over 30 representatives from Georgia Southwestern State University, South Georgia Technical College and Sumter County Schools gathered on GSW’s campus today for the Tri-Ed Career Pathways Collaboration Meeting.

   SCS Superintendent Walter Knighton, SGTC President John Watford, Ed.D., and GSW President Michelle Johnston, Ph.D., welcomed the group before breakout sessions began.

   “There is so much power in partnerships,” said Johnston. “That’s why we’re here today – to strengthen those partnerships and to explore new ideas. Together, we are changing lives, and we’re a transformational pathway to social mobility.”

   With a focus on nursing and healthcare, education and criminal justice pathways, these meetings serve as an opportunity to discuss program needs and identify opportunities for collaboration across the three institutions.

   Breakout groups were asked to identify a collaborative project to pursue, along with high-level goals, rough timelines, a coordinating committee and immediate next steps. The group meets regularly every academic year.