IE 11 Not Supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.
Jabari Simama Headshot

Jabari Simama

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

Jabari Simama, Ph.D., is a seasoned educator, executive, and former elected leader, having served for decades in Georgia and as its liaison in Washington, D.C., and demonstrating a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and cultural competence. Educated at Harvard, Emory and Atlanta universities, Dr. Simama is the former president and CEO of Georgia Piedmont Technical College and chief of staff and deputy COO of DeKalb County, Ga. Earlier in his career, Simama was elected to the Atlanta city council where he served as a councilman from 1987 to 1994. He also worked as a professor, instructor, educator, and producer in academic and industry settings during those years. A prolific writer, he produced and presented a steady catalog of books, journal articles, conference presentations, sponsored publications, and magazine articles. Simama is currently a columnist for Governing.

 

Community and technical colleges are particularly well-suited to partnering with governments to bring broadband and digital literacy to underserved urban and rural communities.
The president-elect should look to the ranks of community-college leaders for filling this critical Cabinet post. Community colleges occupy a strategic position that gives them a unique perspective on education at all levels.