Dr. Robert M. Abene sees his role as Valdosta Technical College’s new president as being a facilitator between his institution and the community.

He envisions Val-Tech as a partner in the development of the Greater Valdosta community.

“In the past, people have called me the partnership president, because I love partnering with the community,” Bob Abene told The Valdosta Daily Times earlier this week. “There is nothing that I cannot imagine us looking at for no-credit, short-term, or long-term credit courses as we got to the community and ask what they need.”

Such partnerships often serve a multi-purpose that is good for the partnering organizations individually, mutually, and subsequently strengthens the entire community.

In learning what the community needs, Abene can prescribe a curriculum that fits Valdosta and South Georgia’s markets and interests while simultaneously strengthening Val-Tech’s program potential for students who wish to stay in the region or compete in any job market.

“This is an inclusive institution, with a range of students, from those with a level of disability learning to those here getting doctorate degrees,” Abene said. “It’s not about how many we exclude but what we do for the students who come through our doors. We truly serve the community and that’s what is exciting for me.”

This commitment should be exciting for the community, too.

Several area representatives participated in the process of selecting Val-Tech’s new president. These representatives worked together to find the best potential candidates and ultimately the best person for the job, for Val-Tech, and for South Georgia.

From the sound of it, this group found a new partner for the region in Abene. We welcome him to Valdosta and wish he, wife Pat and their son Andrew, as well as Val-Tech the best of luck here in Valdosta.