Dr. Ron White
President
Ron White’s career in higher education spans 46 years. After graduating from Emmanuel College in 1969 during the junior college era, he came back to the College in 1980 to serve as the Director of Financial Aid under the sixth president, Dr. Culbreth Melton. The seventh president, Dr. David Hopkins, appointed him as the Dean of Students in 1984 and then as Dean of Enrollment Management in 1991. After twenty-two years of service to the College, he moved on to become the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Columbia College (SC). On September 2, 2014, he was appointed the ninth president of Emmanuel College.
During his nearly nine years of service as president, the college has reduced its debt by over $20 million, has completed numerous capital projects, and has launched fully online undergraduate and graduate programs of study. In addition, the college’s accreditation was reaffirmed, and the college became a full member of the NCAA Division II.
He completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in counseling, and a doctorate in higher education, all from the University of Georgia. He is married to Carol, his wife of 51 years, and they have two adult sons and five grandchildren.
Mr. Greg Hearn
Executive Vice President & CFO
Since May 2015, Greg Hearn has served as both Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Emmanuel College. Prior to that, he served as Interim CFO, September to May 2015, and as Emmanuel’s Vice President for Finance from 2005 to 2009.
He serves simultaneously as Chief Executive Officer for Community Services Group, Inc., a position he has held since November 2012; he was also CEO of Ty Cobb Regional Medical Center from January 2013 to June 2015 and of LifeSprings Resources from May
1991 to April 2013.
Mr. Hearn, a 1980 graduate of Emmanuel College with an A.A. in General Education
and a 1983 First Honor Graduate of the University of Georgia with a B.B.A. in Accounting, earned and has maintained the Certified Public Accountant designation since 1986 and worked as a tax accountant for an
international public accounting firm from 1987 to 1991. He is certified in both Georgia and Oklahoma.
Mr. Hearn has significant experience developing and implementing workout plans for distressed entities, especially in the not-for-profit sector. This experience includes negotiating settlements among multiple
creditors including forbearance agreements and settlements with bondholders for bonds in default. Mr. Hearn’s dedication to serve his community is demonstrated by ongoing volunteer work as an Emergency Medical Technician, Chief of the Franklin Springs Fire Department, Administrative Council
Member of LifeSprings Community Church, Board Member of One Accord Resources (a coalition of church curriculum publishers), and Governor’s Appointee to the Georgia Rural Hospital Stabilization Committee. He also served in the past on numerous boards and received various community service awards.
Dr. Janet Coleman
VP for Academics
Dr. Janet Coleman has over 25 years of experience in education serving in a variety of roles in several states including elementary school teacher, assistant principal, university faculty member, Graduate Program Chair, Department Chair, Associate Dean, and Dean. Before coming to Emmanuel in 2021, she served as the Dean of the Bayh College of Education at Indiana State University. She held an elected position on the Board of Directors for the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI). Dr. Coleman has authored or co-authored numerous articles and has presented internationally and nationally on topics such as building a successful professional development school partnership, effective instructional design, and faculty development for online learning.
She received her B.S.Ed. degree from Bowling Green State University in Ohio as a double major in Elementary Education and Special Education (emphasis on Learning and Behavior Disorders). She earned M.Ed. and Ph.D. degrees in Curriculum and Instruction (specializing in Educational Technology) from the University of Toledo, in Toledo, OH.
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:
Mr. Brian James
VP for Advancement
Brian James is a native of Franklin Springs Georgia.
He has spent over 28 years working in Christian higher education at Emmanuel College primarily in Campus Development and Advancement. From 2001 – 2009 he changed careers by accepting a job in banking as a commercial lender. He returned to Emmanuel College in 2009 to help with the expansion of the campus where he continues to work today.
He was elected Mayor of Franklin Springs in 2001 and served for two consecutive terms and lead the rebuilding project of the City Hall and Public Safety Building after complete destruction from a tornado spun from hurricane Ivan. In 2006 he received an invitation from Governor Sonny Purdue to serve on the Governor’s Rural Development Council Authority which worked to revitalize poverty areas in Georgia and develop new avenues for state economic growth.
Today he continues his employment at Emmanuel College as Vice President for Advancement. He is a licensed minister in the Lifepoint Conference of the IPH Church and speaks occasionally at churches and various events. He enjoys spending time with his wife April and their children.
Mr. Mandrake Miller
VP for Student Life
Mandrake Miller is a seasoned professional, who has built a career in higher education administration. Currently, he serves as the Vice President for Student Life at Emmanuel College. Prior to Emmanuel he served as Vice President for Student Success & Engagement at Edward Waters College and Dean of Students at Tuskegee University. Miller’s student affairs-focused career spans multiple leadership appointments at Livingstone College, Bethune Cookman University, Chowan University and Virginia Union University
Miller is a United States Army Veteran, and did tours in Iraq and Kuwait. As an ordained minister, Miller shares a passion for working with people and strives for greatness in all his endeavors. As an educator and leadership guru; learning, integrity, and respect are important components of his practice. Merging philosophical frameworks together governs how he engages.
Miller’s professional philosophy is to ensure a quality and rewarding experience for all communities under his leadership. A visionary with a unique understanding and appreciation for today’s millennial students, he is committed to institutional advancement, student engagement, and the holistic development of students. Miller is committed to developing programs that promote diversity, pluralism and cultural competency. His vision is to create a culture and environment in which all stakeholders make a commitment to strive for personal integrity; to treat others with dignity and respect; and to become involved in creating a community that is inclusive and welcoming for everyone. He is dedicated to enhancing the growth of all stakeholders to reach their full potential by providing rich learning opportunities through comprehensive programs, services, and professional development. Ultimately, Miller’s goal is to make a positive impact in the world.
A native of South Carolina, Miller holds a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Administration, with a minor in Christian Education from Morris College, and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. He currently is completing a Doctorate of Education with a concentration in Higher Education Administration from Trevecca Nazarene University. Miller is married to Shaquana Miller and they have a six year-old daughter Madison.
Ms. Donna Quick
VP for Enrollment Management
Originally from North Carolina, Donna Quick was a legacy student at Emmanuel College following in the footsteps of both parents and two older siblings as well as various aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her experience with Higher Education began as a student at Emmanuel when she was hired as an Admissions Counselor her sophomore year. Her experiences in Admissions facilitated a love for Higher Education that jump-started a thirty-year career in Admissions, Financial Aid, and Marketing.
After graduating from Emmanuel, Donna pursued her graduate education At Azusa Pacific University where she earned an M.Ed in College Student Affairs and a doctoral certificate in Strengths-based Education. Her career in Higher Education has spanned numerous positions at 2 different campuses. Her first iteration of service at Emmanuel, spanning 12 years, included Admissions Counselor, Recruiter, Call Room Supervisor, Assistant Director of Admissions, Director of Admissions, Director of Financial Aid, and Director of Enrollment Management. During her time at Emmanuel Donna remained active in the local community as a volunteer at the Royston Public library, serving on the local Friends of the library chapter, and working as a girl’s ministry teacher at her church. Also active in her professional organizations, Donna served as a trainer, presenter, and on multiple committee assignments with GASFAA. She also served as a consultant with Christian College Consulting, installing Admissions software and helping Christian colleges create and refine communication flows.
In 2006 Donna left Emmanuel to serve as Director of Financial Aid at Columbia College in South Carolina. Continuing her work with professional organizations, she was ultimately elected President of the SCASFAA organization during her last year of service in South Carolina. While participating as a trainer in SCASFAA she was one of the first six individuals in the nation to earn all 17 NASFAA Financial Aid credentials. While in Columbia, SC Donna continued consulting on with various colleges on both Admissions and Financial Aid. Over the years, Donna has consulted with such campuses as Philadelphia Bible, Mercer, Bethel, Benedict, and Columbia International.
Donna returned to Emmanuel in 2016 in her current role. Since returning to Georgia, she has resumed her work with girl’s ministry at her local church and joined the Board of Trustees for both the Franklin County Library system and the Athens Regional Library system.
Mr. Nate Moorman
VP for Athletics
Nate joined the Emmanuel College family during the summer of 2014 as Emmanuel College’s sixth Director of Athletics, before being promoted in 2021 to the first Vice-President of Athletics at Emmanuel. The Athletic Department has experienced an abundant growth since Nate’s arrival, including: an increase in enrollment from approximately 350 student-athletes to over 600 student-athletes, a rise in revenue production for the institution from roughly $4.5 million to nearly $10 million, and an expansion in athletic staffing from 21 full time staff members to 49 full time staff members.
New programs have also been added to Emmanuel since Nate’s arrival, including the addition of Men’s and Women’s Wrestling, Men’s and Women’s Triathlon, Bass Fishing, and Acrobatics and Tumbling. Emmanuel Athletics have also seen a continual and successful effort to increase student-athlete graduation rates from 29.5% to 54%. The student-athlete GPA has remained at its peak for the last 5 years.
Nate and his leadership staff’s focus on the development of great coaches and the recruitment of high-quality athletes has played a major factor in the competitive success of the Athletic Department. Nate also led the Athletic Department through the process of transitioning from NAIA membership to NCAA Division II membership. Since becoming full NCAA DII members, Emmanuel has won 10 conference championships, finished second in the conference Carolinas Hawn Cup, and produced multiple individual NCAA National Champions and All-Americans.
Prior to beginning his tenure as Emmanuel College’s sixth Director of Athletics, Nate served as an Assistant Athletic Director and Head Men’s Wrestling Coach at King University in Bristol, TN. In addition to his athletic duties at King University, Nate served as an Academic Advisor and taught several courses, including spearheading an academic success course focused on preparing new students for college. Prior to King, Nate served as an assistant wrestling coach at his alma mater, Carson Newman College, where he competed as a collegiate wrestler, earned a bachelor’s degree in History and Secondary Education, and earned a master’s degree in Education.
Nate resides in Nicholson, GA, with his wife, Beth, and his three sons: Lincoln, Bennett, and Nolan.
