The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) named Dr. John Fuchko III president of Dalton State College effective Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023.
Fuchko currently serves as Dalton’s interim president.
“Dalton State College was just named #1 in the nation for student experience because of its commitment to helping students prosper, and it deserves a leader who will maintain that momentum as the college continues its climb to being the best in the nation,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “In John, we have just such a leader. He has spent decades in service to public higher education and has demonstrated success in working with faculty, staff and students to achieve great results.”
Fuchko assumed the interim position at Dalton State in June, when Dr. Margaret H. Venable retired after eight years.
Immediately prior, during the 2022-2023 academic year, Fuchko was interim president at Columbus State University, where he led an effort to address a projected $9 million budget reduction and helped champion a focus on student retention that resulted in an almost 5% retention rate increase from Fall 2021 to Fall 2022.
Fuchko has taken on leadership roles in multiple organizational areas during his 17 years with USG, including service as vice chancellor for organizational effectiveness, overseeing strategic implementation, accreditation, athletics, ethics and risk, and various other administrative functions.
“At Dalton State, we are transforming generations of families and improving communities through what we do in higher education,” Fuchko said. “This is something I am passionate about, especially as a second-generation student and husband to a first-generation college graduate. Dalton State is on the rise, and I’m honored to join faculty and staff as we continue to focus on the regional workforce and our students’ success.”
About Dr. John Fuchko III
A Georgia native, Fuchko joined the staff of USG’s Office of Internal Audits in July 2006. He previously served as USG’s chief audit officer and vice chancellor for internal audit, which included responsibility for 25 campus audit shops and 80 professional staff. He oversaw the University System’s compliance program, Enterprise Risk Management Initiative and the development of the USG’s ethics policy.
Fuchko has also spent time in the business world, having served as a financial representative for Northwestern Mutual Financial Network and as director of planning and budget for a small manufacturer. He is a certified internal auditor, certified compliance and ethics professional, and a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
As a decorated colonel in the Georgia Army National Guard, Fuchko commands the 122nd Regiment (Regional Training Institute). His two decades of service have included roles such as battalion commander for the 221st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion and two deployments to the Middle East.
Fuchko is a graduate of the 2018 Leadership Atlanta Class and a recipient of the “40 Under 40” recognition from both Georgia Trend and the Atlanta Business Chronicle. He regularly speaks on internal audit, governance and higher education topics and has delivered convocation keynotes at Atlanta Metropolitan State College and South Georgia State College. He’s also been an officer and board member for several nonprofits, including serving as a trustee at his parish, Epiphany Byzantine Catholic Church, and as chair of the Center for Family Resources.
Fuchko holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Kennesaw State University. He earned an MBA at Georgia State University, a master’s degree in strategic intelligence at the National Intelligence University, a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College and a doctorate in education at the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Sherie, have 12 toddler- to college-aged children.
