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The WIN College and Career Academy is set to launch this fall, serving high school students across South Georgia, including districts such as Valdosta City Schools, Berrien, Clinch, Cook, Echols, and Lanier school systems. The program will be open to sophomores, juniors and seniors, aiming to give students earlier access to career training.

“Why not invest in and train those students now so we can go ahead and get a head start and pipeline them into our local industries,” said Jason Van Nus, incoming CEO of WIN College and Career Academy.

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College will help connect high school coursework with college-level training. Initial program areas will include emergency medical technicians, phlebotomy and hospitality, which leaders say align with workforce needs across the region.

“We want those students to have an opportunity to be able to graduate not only with their high school diploma, but then also to be able to walk away with a skill set that’s going to lead them into a high skilled, high wage career,” said Deannia Clements, President of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.

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Van Nus brings extensive experience in workforce development and education, including eight years leading work-based learning and youth apprenticeship programs at Lowndes High School. His background also includes serving as site director, testing coordinator, graduation coach, and work-based learning coordinator at Coastal Plains Education High School. He began his career in Echols County and was a graphic communications and business education instructor at Colquitt County High School for 12 years.

His professional honors include being named a finalist for the 2025 Association for Career and Technical Education National Teacher of the Year, earning the 2024 ACTE Region II Teacher of the Year, the 2023 Georgia ACTE Teacher of the Year, and the 2024 YouScience Innovative Educator of the Year award.

Having worked closely with local industry partners, Van Nus said he was drawn to the CEO position because of its potential to expand workforce development opportunities. “This model allows us to give students a head start and provide employers access to talent earlier than ever before. That is a powerful combination for any community.”

He also noted that the role builds on both his experience and his passion for workforce development.

“I’ve spent my career building bridges between students and the workforce, and this role allows me to do that on a much larger scale,” he said. “The WIN CCA is an opportunity to create a truly unique workforce solution for our region that serves both students and employers.”

Tullis Beasley, chair of the WIN Regional College and Career Academy Board, said Van Nus was selected through a rigorous, multi-step review process involving school district superintendents, college and career academy CEOs and industry professionals from across the region. He added that Van Nus’ experience will strengthen the academy’s role in connecting education and industry.

“In South Georgia, that means making sure young people can walk into a job in healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and other high-demand career fields without starting from scratch,” Beasley said. “Having Jason as the first WIN CEO gives us someone who understands both sides of that equation— and can build the trust between schools and employers that makes this work.”

The WIN CCA will serve students from Valdosta City Schools, Berrien, Clinch, Cook, Echols, and Lanier school systems. The CCA is designed to transform opportunities for high school students across South Georgia—equipping them with the technical skills, hands-on training, and career pathways needed to succeed in the classroom, workplace, and beyond.

“We are excited to welcome Jason Van Nus to the WIN Academy team. Mr. Van Nus brings a wealth of workforce knowledge, visionary leadership, and national recognition that will be a tremendous asset to our region,” said Dr. Craig Lockhart, superintendent for Valdosta City Schools. “As we launch this transformational new opportunity for students and families, we are confident his leadership will elevate career preparation, strengthen business and industry partnerships, and help shape a stronger future for our entire community. Securing someone of his caliber is a tremendous step forward for the WIN Academy and workforce development across South Georgia.”

The WIN Regional CCA is a collaborative initiative, driven by the shared vision of One Valdosta-Lowndes, education partners, community leaders, and industry stakeholders, which underscores a strong commitment to building a brighter future for the region’s students. By expanding access to real-world learning and career-aligned education, the CCA will prepare the next generation to thrive in today’s fast-evolving economy.

“Establishing a College and Career Academy in South Georgia is more than an opportunity. It’s a necessity,” said Mary Beth Brownlee, director of One Valdosta-Lowndes. “For too long, there has been a gaping hole in our region when it comes to workforce-driven education, and WIN is helping us fill that void in an effective and meaningful way.”

Brownlee said the academy provides a business-driven model, where industry leaders help shape the curriculum to ensure students gain the skills employers need. “It’s about preparing our students for real careers, strengthening our talent pipeline and creating a future where South Georgia can grow and compete at the highest level.”

The WIN CCA is scheduled to have a soft launch in fall 2026 with three in-demand pathways: phlebotomy, emergency medical technician (EMT), and hospitality, with classes at the Valdosta campus of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.

Fall 2027 pathways are anticipated to be held at the future WIN CCA campus and include advanced manufacturing, advanced construction technology, emergency medical technician, accelerated phlebotomy technician, and hospitality operations associate.

Van Nus said the CCA model introduces a more efficient way to connect education and the workforce.

“WIN has the opportunity to become one of the most important workforce drivers in our region,” he said. “We are not just introducing a new school model; we are introducing a better way to connect education and the workforce. That requires us to be very intentional in how we communicate the value to students, parents, and industry partners.”

Jason Van Nus may be reached for comment at jason@wincca.org.  For more information on WIN CCA, visit the website: www.wincca.org

About WIN Regional College and Career Academy
The WIN (Workforce Innovation Network) Regional College and Career Academy brings students from across South Georgia, connecting education with workforce needs through career-focused pathways and hands-on learning. Led by a board of educators and industry leaders, WIN works closely with local schools, colleges, and employers to provide students with real-world experience, industry-recognized credentials, and clear paths to high-demand careers. This academy is part of a regional effort to build a stronger talent pipeline, boost economic growth, and help students succeed in today’s competitive and ever-changing workforce.

For more information, contact
Mary Beth Brownlee
One Valdosta Lowndes
404-227-4976
mbbrownlee@valdostachamber.com

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Hear from Mary Beth Brownlee, Director of One Valdosta-Lowndes, as she shares an exciting update on the WIN (Workforce Innovation Network) Regional College & Career Academy.

With six partnering school systems and a strong collaboration with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, WIN is creating new opportunities for students to step directly into high-demand careers. The Fall 2026 soft launch will introduce three in-demand pathways:

🔹 Phlebotomy
🔹 EMT
🔹 Hospitality

This is more than a program—it’s a regional commitment to building a stronger workforce pipeline, expanding access to career pathways, and preparing our students for real-world success.

Together, Valdosta City, Clinch, Cook, Berrien, Echols, and Lanier County Schools are coming together to create something transformational for our community.

Watch the video to learn more about how WIN is shaping the future of South Georgia.

https://valdostaceo.com/video/2026/03/mary-beth-brownlee-one-valdosta-lowndes-win-regional-college-career-academy/

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VALDOSTA, GA — One Valdosta-Lowndes (OVL) presented its inaugural Synergy 2030 Impact Award to Tullis Beasley at the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce 2026 Annual Awards Banquet.

The Synergy 2030 Impact Award honors an individual who embodies OVL’s core values — community, unity, and progress — and has shown exceptional leadership in building a stronger, more prosperous Lowndes County.

OVL Chair Clinton Beeland presented the award, recognizing Beasley’s leadership in advancing the WIN (Workforce Innovation Network) Regional College and Career Academy — a key project within the Synergy 2030 strategic plan. The academy supports the plan’s Pathway to Prosperity initiative by expanding workforce opportunities and preparing students for in-demand careers.

“Tullis has been instrumental in bringing the vision of the WIN Regional College and Career Academy to life,” said Beeland. “His leadership and passion for workforce development reflect exactly what the Synergy 2030 initiative represents—bringing partners together to create opportunities for our students, strengthen our workforce, and move our entire region forward.”

The WIN Regional College and Career Academy is a multi-county initiative designed to strengthen the workforce pipeline across South Georgia. It will serve students from Valdosta City Schools and the Berrien, Clinch, Cook, Echols, and Lanier County school systems, directly connecting education with regional industry needs.

“It has been an incredible honor to help bring the WIN Regional College and Career Academy to life,” said Beasley, who serves as Board Chair for the WIN Regional College and Career Academy and Senior Vice President Market Leader, Commercial Banking for Bank OZK. “I truly believe the WIN academy will transform students’ lives by equipping them with the skills, confidence, and real-world experience needed to succeed. Our goal is simple — we want our students to build meaningful, high-quality careers right here in South Georgia. I’m proud to be part of creating opportunities that will strengthen our workforce and our community for generations to come.”

Through hands-on training, industry partnerships, and career-focused learning, the WIN Academy will give high school students the technical skills, real-world experience, and clear career pathways they need to succeed in high-demand fields. This reflects OVL’s commitment to aligning education, workforce development, and economic growth for the long-term prosperity of the Valdosta-Lowndes region.

The WIN Regional CCA launches in August 2026, giving high school students hands-on experience and industry-recognized credentials in high-demand fields. Students can choose from two pathways leading to three Technical Certificates of Credit: the Healthcare Pathway, which includes Accelerated Phlebotomy and EMT certifications, or the Hospitality Pathway, which leads to a Hospitality Operations Associate certificate

Students interested in participating must register by March 20 and should contact the CTAE Director at their high school for enrollment information and program eligibility, or visit  www.gocats.org/page/win-academy.

For more information, contact
Mary Beth Brownlee, Director of OVL
mbbrownlee@valdostachamber.com
229.262.7453

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A 4C Academy student demonstrates a robot designed and built by students during a tour for members of the WIN Regional College & Career Academy Board, community leaders, and visiting students.

VALDOSTA, GA — One Valdosta Lowndes (OVL) recently sponsored a regional site visit to the Commodore Conyers College & Career Academy (4C) in Albany to gather best practices and strategic insight for the development of the WIN (Workforce Innovation Network) Regional College & Career Academy.

The WIN Regional CCA will serve students from Valdosta City Schools and the school systems in Berrien, Clinch, Cook, Echols, and Lanier counties, providing expanded access to career-focused education and workforce-ready training opportunities across South Georgia.

Members of the WIN CCA Board of Directors and Steering Committee, along with community leaders and high school students, toured 4C Academy to observe firsthand the programs, partnerships, and hands-on training initiatives that are preparing students for high-demand careers. The visit provided valuable perspective as the WIN academy continues to move forward with its mission of equipping students with technical skills, industry-recognized credentials, and meaningful career pathways.

Mary Beth Brownlee, Director of One Valdosta Lowndes and Chair of the WIN Regional CCA Steering Committee, emphasized the importance of learning directly from successful models already serving South Georgia students.

“Visiting 4C Academy allowed us to see firsthand how innovative programming and strong industry partnerships can transform workforce development in a region,” said Brownlee. “It was important for our board, community leaders, and even our students to experience the type of hands-on training and career-connected learning that boosts job skills and creates workforce-ready graduates. As we develop the WIN Regional College & Career Academy, we are committed to building a model that strengthens our regional talent pipeline and supports the industries that drive South Georgia’s economy.”

The 4C Academy serves as a collaborative hub between education and industry, offering students access to career pathways in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and other high-demand fields. Observing its structure and operations provided WIN leaders with insight into facility design, curriculum alignment, employer engagement, and student support systems.

The WIN Regional College & Career Academy aims to mirror and expand upon these successful strategies by fostering partnerships between school systems, local industries, technical colleges, and economic development leaders. By aligning education with workforce needs, WIN will play a vital role in preparing the next generation of skilled professionals while supporting regional economic growth.

One Valdosta Lowndes remains committed to advancing initiatives that connect students to opportunity, strengthen workforce pipelines, and position South Georgia for long-term prosperity.

For more information about the WIN Regional College & Career Academy, contact Mary Beth Brownlee, director of One Valdosta-Lowndes, at mbbrownlee@valdostachamber.com

Chris Hatcher, CEO of 4C Academy in Albany, shared insights with members of the WIN Regional College & Career Academy. 

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