Why is Kathy Love out as president of Savannah Technical College? Here's what we know

Kathy Love's tenure as president of Savannah Technical College (STC) ended Monday, March 11. The reasons for her departure remain unclear, however.

During a phone call with the Savannah Morning News (SMN), the college's Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and Communications Robert Grant said he was not authorized to speak on the matter.

An official statement has yet to be issued by STC, but should be forthcoming next week, he said. Grant shared the internal announcements sent to STC faculty and staff on Tuesday by Ray Perren, the deputy commissioner for technical education at the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG).

"Good morning, Savannah Tech Team,

I am writing to you this morning to notify you that Dr. Kathy Love is no longer serving as President of Savannah Technical College. We thank Dr. Love for her many years of service here at Savannah Tech and across the Technical College System of Georgia. In the coming days, Commissioner [Greg] Dozier will announce the appointment of an interim President to lead Savannah Tech. In the meantime, I have been assigned to work from Savannah Tech to assist you as the college goes through this transition. Please feel free to reach out to me if I can provide you with any assistance over the coming days."

One day later, Perren forwarded STC faculty and staff a message from Dozier, appointing Dr. Ryan Foley as the interim president. Foley has served for 20 years at Ogeechee Technical College, the last seven years as the executive vice president for academic and student affairs.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Ryan Foley in his new role of Interim President of Savannah Technical College."

The sudden news of Love's departure follows an announcement from two weeks ago that Terry Brasier would assume the role of vice president of student affairs. The press release on Brasier's appointment stated that he, "has more than 25 years of leadership experience with student services for higher education institutions.  Previously he was vice president of student services at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College."

The changes in STC's leadership is a developing story. SMN will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

Joseph Schwartzburt is the education and workforce development reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at JSchwartzburt@gannett.com.