Piedmont College President Elected Chair of GICA

Piedmont College President James F. Mellichamp has been elected chair of the Georgia Independent College Association (GICA), made up of 26 private, nonprofit colleges and universities across the state.

The election came at the GICA Board of Directors meeting in Decatur Oct. 21, and Mellichamp will serve a one-year term beginning in January.

Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Atlanta, GICA supports private higher education in Georgia in the areas of public policy, research, fundraising for student financial aid, and collaborative programs. GICA institutions serve more than 76,000 students and provide a $6.26 billion economic impact on their communities in Georgia. The GICA Board is composed of member college presidents and representatives from business, industry, and professional communities.

A Toccoa native, Mellichamp previously served as GICA vice chairman and has served as president of Piedmont since 2012. He is also a member of the music faculty at the college, where he has taught since 1982.