Northeastern Technical College Announces New President

Dr. Melissa Frank-Alston

Cheraw, S.C. – The Northeastern Technical College Board of Area Commissioners announces that Dr. Melissa Frank-Alston, has been appointed as the seventh president of Northeastern Technical College following a national search.

Dr. Frank-Alston is expected to assume her new role on July 1, making her the first female president in the college's history to hold the position.

Dr. Frank-Alston is an experienced leader with 30 years in higher education, coming to NETC from Augusta Technical College, where she has worked in various vice-presidential roles since 2005. She most recently served as the College's Provost and Institutional Accreditation Liaison to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). She also served as Interim President of Augusta Technical College from April-December 2025.

"I am confident that Dr. Frank-Alston will lead the College to greater heights," said Area Commission Chairman Herbert Gould.

Dr. Frank-Alston holds a Ph.D. in Workforce Education and Development with an emphasis in Training and Human Resources from Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Science in College Student Personnel from Western Illinois University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Northwestern State University of Louisiana.

"Accepting the presidency of Northeastern Technical College is both humbling and exciting. I believe deeply in the transformative power of education, and I am eager to serve alongside a dedicated team committed to student achievement and community impact," said Dr. Frank-Alston. "I look forward to working collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community to enhance academic excellence, strengthen workforce partnerships, and ensure every student has the support they need to achieve their goals."

Northeastern Technical College is a comprehensive, public, two-year institution offering 51 programs in business, health sciences, industrial and engineering technology, public service, arts, and sciences. In Fall 2025, the College served 1,583 students and employed more than 190 full-time and adjunct faculty and staff.

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