MONTGOMERY — During its regular meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 10, the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Dr. Aaron Milner as President of Coastal Alabama Community College. Milner currently serves as Superintendent of Saraland City Schools.
“Aaron has nearly 30 years of educational experience but brings a fresh perspective on the changes that must happen for more students to pursue success, so I am confident that his expertise will continue to help move the region forward,” said Jimmy H. Baker, Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System (ACCS).
“Our common goal across the Alabama Community College System is for every resident who is willing to be able to use the community college system as a guide to whatever level of achievement they want to achieve. Aaron’s familiarity with K-12, business and industry are key to us living that mission.”
Milner began his career in education as a middle school teacher in Eufaula City Schools, and within six years, he started his tenure in leadership as an assistant principal at Enterprise High School. He was Superintendent of Enterprise City Schools from 2010 to 2013, when he began his tenure as Superintendent of Saraland City Schools. In addition to his experience in K-12, he has served as an adjunct professor for both master’s and doctoral courses in educational leadership at the University of South Alabama and for various courses in educational leadership at Troy University.
Nominated as District 1 Superintendent of the Year in both 2016 and 2018 and recently named President Elect of the School Superintendents of Alabama, Milner’s service to education across Alabama spans across executive committees for both K-12 administrators and government entities.
Milner is an alum of the University of Alabama, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. He earned a Master of Science from Troy State University and a Doctor of Education from Auburn University. His dissertation focused on the level of knowledge Alabama’s high school principals had in regard to the disciplinary mandates of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Coastal Alabama Community College serves more than 10,000 students across 12 locations in the south Alabama region. Coastal Alabama is the 3rd largest community college in the state by headcount and the largest in the state by geographic coverage. Popular programs offered include general studies, nursing and liberal arts.
“Coastal Alabama Community College has a rich history of student success, so I am honored for the opportunity to lead a dedicated staff who lives to serve the students of our communities who are relying on us to deliver excellent education and workforce development programs,” Milner said.
“I look forward to connecting to stakeholders who believe in our college and want to create even more opportunities for our students, and I also look forward to meeting residents who are eager to learn more about what we offer. This is a great day in South Alabama.”
Dr. Milner has been married to Jennifer (Heise) Milner for 26 years. They are the proud parents of two sons, Matthew, 19, and Michael, 23.
Milner’s tenure begins Feb. 1.
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About ACCS
Alabama’s community and technical colleges were merged into one system May 3, 1963, when legislators laid the groundwork for a unified system of institutions to focus on accessible training in “arts and sciences and in useful skills and trades” for current and future labor needs. Sixty years have passed, but that important cause remains the singular purpose of the Alabama Community College System (ACCS). With 24 community and technical colleges in more than 130 locations and an economic impact of $6.6 billion, the ACCS is Alabama's gateway to first-class, affordable education and technical training to compete in a constantly evolving workforce. More than 155,000 Alabamians benefit from the various certification, credential, dual enrollment and degree programs the ACCS offers alongside leading industry partners. The System includes the Alabama Technology Network, which provides extensive training and service offerings directly to business and industry, and the ACCS Innovation Center, which provides rapid skills training through its Skills for Success program. The ACCS is governed by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees.
