Over a hundred students, faculty, staff, and community members gathered at the Georgia Highlands College (GHC) Cartersville campus on Monday to celebrate GHC President Dr. Mike Hobbs, who was presented with the prestigious White Rose Award.

Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern U.S., Anat Sultan-Dadon, and White Rose Society Founder Linda Selig bestowed the award upon Dr. Hobbs, recognizing his outstanding leadership, commitment to education, and dedication to the community. The White Rose Award is an esteemed honor, with previous Georgia recipients including Governor Brian Kemp and UGA President Jere Morehead. “The Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern U.S. has maintained a strong relationship with Georgia Highlands College for many years, connecting us with similarly sized institutions in Israel to foster virtual partnerships for our students. This partnership began over three years ago and has continued to flourish,” said President Hobbs. “I am deeply appreciative and grateful to receive this award, and I consider the goals we have accomplished with the Consul General as some of the most important work I have been honored to be a part of.” Dr. Hobbs assumed the presidency of GHC in July 2022, bringing with him a profound commitment to student success.

As a first-generation high school and college graduate from Ensley, Alabama, Dr. Hobbs understands the transformative power of education. He holds degrees from Jefferson State, the University of Alabama – Birmingham, and Mississippi State University, along with postgraduate studies in economics. Since taking office, Dr. Hobbs has spearheaded significant enrollment growth and expanded GHC’s career-focused bachelor’s degree offerings.

His dedication to student achievement has earned him the national Paragon Award, and his leadership has positioned GHC as a finalist for the prestigious $1 million Aspen Prize for student success and outcomes, further solidifying his impact on the college and the community it serves.