Gayland Cooper, Sally Platt and Cindy Williams joined the Georgia Highlands College Foundation as trustees this year.

Cooper, who was appointed in January, spent 40 years working in public education with roles ranging from high school science teacher to principal to superintendent for Rome City Schools. He said he and his late wife, Barbara Cooper, have always wanted to serve their hometown of Cedartown and the Northwest Georgia region.

Platt, also appointed in January, comes from Marietta. In 2009, she retired after serving as a registered nurse for 33 years at the Scottish Rite campus of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She said the more she has learned about GHC, the more she has wanted to become involved. The affordability and quality of programs offered by the college should make the institution a “first choice” for anyone seeking a degree, she said.

Williams was appointed in April. She also serves as the CEO of the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce.

“Throughout my tenure,” she said, “I hope to enhance the awareness of GHC, increase access to financial and capital resources, and connect the college with external stakeholders who may prove to be valuable partners in the Bartow County community.”