Bringing the ultimate technology experience to the masses is all in a day’s work for Gardner Long, new Vice President of Information Technology (IT) at Chattanooga State Community College. Anyone who has a conversation about technology with Long can’t help but notice the excitement in his voice and a twinkle in his eye … but that laser-like focus then zeros in on student success.

Gardner Long came to ChattState with more than 34 years of higher education experience. His previous position as Vice President of Technology at Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) prepared him well for new challenges ahead at Chattanooga State. When he first entered the field, he recalls seeing significant changes in technology about every three years, then two, while today he says change happens every 30-90 days. “The automation of processes to allow Chattanooga State to become a paperless college, the implementation of Voice over IP communication system, and working with Academic Affairs to provide students with the ultimate delivery of their curriculum involves technology, and I want to help in any way I can to achieve each of these goals,” shares Long.

No stranger to innovation, Gardner’s team at CGTC was a 2015 public/nonprofit finalist for the Excalibur Awards, recognized for innovation in its educational delivery model, which was sponsored by the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG). Also in 2015, he and a colleague helped set up a two-year information technology associate degree program in Afghanistan for high school graduates who can’t get into university due to limited enrollment. The university system there had never offered an associate degree before and the need for skilled workers was driving the need for the two-year program. That experience involved having a “security detail with them at all times and traveling in armored cars,” he explains.

A community college alum with an Associate degree in Business Administration from Southern Baptist College, he continued his education by earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing, and a Master of Science degree in Information Systems, both from Arkansas State University. Gardner also developed and taught information systems classes at all three degree levels along with writing the curriculum for these programs of study.

Aware that today’s students “have a totally different way that they learn and like to communicate,” Gardner says that the Internet and mobile devices have changed the user interface beyond imagination. “What we know as devices today were only science fiction 10 years ago. The speed and power of the Internet and social media has changed the way we live, communicate, and learn,” states Long.

In addition to wanting to provide Chattanooga State students with the ultimate technology experience, Gardner is involved in the Chattanooga Technology Council and interested in other organizations as they become available.  “I want to provide our students with the latest technology to keep them engaged in learning. If students are successful, then we have completed our mission,” states Long.

For more information on Chattanooga State’s IT division, Gardner can be reached at 423-697-5767 or by email at gardner.long@chattanoogastate.edu.