Renva Harmon Watterson has been named the interim president of Georgia Highlands College, effective May 14, by University System Chancellor Hank Huckaby. Watterson will assume the post from Rob Watts, who was named by Huckaby to become interim president of Georgia Perimeter College in metro Atlanta.

Watterson is currently vice president for Academic and Student Affairs at Georgia Highlands, a post she has held since 2006. Prior to her current position at GHC, Watterson was chair of the humanities division of the college.

During her tenure at GHC she has led the effort to achieve state-college status for the institution and has overseen the development of new instructional sites in Paulding and Douglas counties.

Prior to coming to GHC, Watterson was dean of the School of Liberal Arts at Shorter College in Rome (1999-2006) and from 1988-1999 held a number of administrative, department and faculty positions at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ark. She also taught speech communication at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1988 and 1989.

Watterson began her educational career in Rome in the 1970s, teaching English, speech and journalism in the Rome City Schools, before moving to North Little Rock, Ark., to teach speech and debate in the public school system.

She holds a Doctor of Education in higher education and communication studies as well as a Master of Arts in interpersonal and organizational communication from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in speech education and theater from Shorter.