President William B. Caldwell, IV
Lieutenant General (Ret.) William B. Caldwell, IV is the 21st President of Georgia Military College.
Georgia Military College’s growth has been significant since the arrival of President Caldwell on
November 1, 2013. New campuses were opened in Fayetteville, Dublin, Eastman, and Zebulon growing the GMC footprint in Georgia to include our main campus in Milledgeville, 12 community college campuses, and our Global Online College. Last year GMC served 14,240 students. At the same time, student success has improved: the total numbers of graduates has increased from year to year, with 2021 having the largest number of graduates in GMC History with 1,992 graduates. Programs at GMC have also expanded. GMC currently offers 28 two-year degree programs and has developed strategic partnerships with high schools, technical schools, and four year colleges to help close gaps with traditionally disadvantaged students. The college also offers five four-year B.A.S. programs developed for Technical School graduates in Georgia to continue with their educational goals. GMC has embraced the State’s Dual Enrollment Program, and has 3,476 high school students attending courses at GMC. Under President Caldwell’s leadership, the College Corps of Cadets has significantly improved. GMC is a premier Military Junior College – one of only four in the U.S., producing 2nd Lieutenants for the U.S. Army. The Corps of Cadets now also serves as a preparatory school for the United States Military Academy, United States Coast Guard Academy, the United States Naval Academy, and the United States Air Force Academy – it is known as the Scholars Program. The Cadet program is built upon GMC’s core values of Duty, Honor, and Country and emphasizes the four pillars of leadership excellence—academic excellence, physical fitness, leadership development, and self-discipline.
Georgia Military College Preparatory School (grades k-12) has also experienced growth under General Caldwell’s leadership, having added third grade in 2019, and now adding grades k-2 for the 2021-2022 school year. With the addition of the elementary grades, GMC Prep School also expanded its campus footprint with the historic preservation and restoration of Jenkins Hall, and new construction of the Prep School Annex. Those buildings now house grades kindergarten through fifth in the Prep School.
Lieutenant General Caldwell was commissioned as an Infantry Officer from the United States Military Academy at West Point in June 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. He went on to earn Master’s Degrees from the United States Naval Postgraduate School and from the School for Advanced Military Studies at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Later, he attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University as a Senior Service College Fellow. He was also selected to serve as a White House Fellow—one of the most prestigious fellowships in our nation.
In his almost 13 years as a General Officer, Caldwell served at the highest levels of the U.S. Army. Most notably as Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division, Commanding General of the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, Commanding General of the US Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, and Commander of United States Army North (Fifth Army). He also served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Effects, and as spokesperson for the MultiNational Force – Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom. His combat deployments include Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Just Cause (Panama) and Operation Uphold Democracy (Haiti), Iraq and Afghanistan.
He also served as Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Deputy Director for Operations for the United States Pacific Command, and Assistant Division Commander, 25th Infantry Division.
Lt. Gen. Caldwell received numerous awards and recognition, both domestic and foreign, during his 37 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Army and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He and his wife, Rev. Stephanie Caldwell, are both originally from Columbus, GA. They have three children: a recent graduate (and 2nd Lieutenant) of the United States Military Academy – West Point, a junior at the United States Air Force Academy, and a freshman at the University of Alabama.
Message from the President
For over 142 years, students have come to Georgia Military College to invest in an education that inspires, challenges and provides opportunities for their future. While here, students receive instruction designed to sharpen their intellect and elevate their character. While here, they’re inspired to ask questions, then challenged to explore solutions and hone their critical thinking skills. And from here, they’re prepared to explore a world of opportunities.
Inspiration, challenge and opportunities were the factors that attracted me so strongly to GMC. Each day, I’m inspired and humbled by our students, whose diversity of gender and ethnicity are united by their common drive to create bright futures. They recognize that GMC offers the unique opportunity to steer their life’s journey in a positive direction.
I’m also inspired by the ability of our faculty to prepare these young men and women to achieve their goals, whether it’s earning an Associate or Bachelor of Applied Science degree at GMC, transferring to a four-year college, entering the workforce, or enhancing their knowledge. Without obligation to research or publish, our dedicated faculty focus on delivering instruction that’s engaging, enlightening and effective. They truly care about and connect with each and every student.
Going further, I’m impressed by GMC’s enrollment policy that will admit anyone with a high school education or GED; and then offer free tutoring, small class sizes and college preparation courses, all which provide students with a strong academic support network. Beyond the classroom, GMC enriches every dimension of student life. Our Student Services staff provides assistance in financial aid, career planning, academic advising and counseling. The Student Activities office brings students together through intramurals, student clubs, cultural activities, even social events. And intercollegiate sports round out the options.
Looking ahead, it’s my challenge—and my privilege—to help guide GMC to the next level of excellence, while sustaining the school’s long-standing tradition of quality.
Our students have an energy and enthusiasm that fuels my own excitement about what lies ahead.
In 1879, a handful of students enrolled in GMC, most to pursue either a military path or agricultural studies. In pursuit of limitless career options, more than 16,000 students attend GMC at one of our 14 campus locations throughout Georgia or online at GMC’s Global Online College. Here, they’ve discovered an affordable education that sharpens their minds, broadens their perspectives and strengthens their character. To borrow an inspiring phrase from the students themselves, they know that at GMC, you can “Start Here… Go Anywhere!”
President’s Report
Military Biography
Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell, IV is the 21st President of Georgia Military College which he assumed upon retirement from the United States Army on November 1, 2013.
His last three assignments as a Lieutenant General were all command positions. They included Commander of United States Army North (Fifth Army) from December 2011 to September 2013; Commander, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Training Mission-Afghanistan and Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM from November 2009 to November 2011 and Commanding General of the US Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth.
Other general officer assignments were as Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Effects and spokesperson for the Multi-National Force – Iraq during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM; Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division, that included commanding the federal response in New Orleans during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense; Deputy Director for Operations for the United States Pacific Command; and Assistant Division Commander, 25th Infantry Division. He also served as Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; a White House Fellow, the White House; Politico-Military Officer in Haiti during OPERATION RESTORE/UPHOLD DEMOCRACY; Brigade Operations Officer, 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division during OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM; and Chief of Plans for the 82nd Airborne Division during OPERATION JUST CAUSE in Panama.
Lieutenant General Caldwell’s decorations include the Department of Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Defense Superior Service Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Bronze Star Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Presidential Service Identification Badge, Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, and Ranger Tab. Other awards include: the US Department of State Meritorious Honor Award Medal, the NATO Meritorious Service Medal (with Bronze Star), Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan Medal-Afghanistan, European Union Police Mission-Afghanistan Medal, and the Polish Armed Forces Gold Medal. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Lieutenant General Caldwell was commissioned as an Infantry Officer from the United States Military Academy at West Point in June 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. He also earned Master’s Degrees from the United States Naval Postgraduate School and from the School for Advanced Military Studies at the United States Army Command and General Staff College. He also attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, as a Senior Service College Fellow.
He and his wife, Stephanie, are both originally from Columbus, GA. They have three children.
Executive Assistant Joelle Trumbo
Joelle Trumbo is the executive assistant in the Office of the President at Georgia Military College. As the heart of the Office of the President, she operates daily office functions while supporting the President, Executive Vice President, and the Director of Staff. She’s also responsible for managing the President’s calendar, scheduling executive meetings, and assisting with the coordination of special events and activities.
Joelle Trumbo started her career as the executive assistant at GMC in October of 2014. Prior to joining the Office of the President, she was a teacher for Georgia’s state-funded Pre-K program for two years, where her dedication and enthusiasm for education originated.
She is a 2007 graduate of Georgia Military College and also graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Georgia in 2009. In 2019, she completed her Master of Arts in Education with a specialization in Higher Education Administration from Louisiana State University.
Phone: (478) 387-4775
Email: jtrumbo@gmc.edu
Public Affairs Coordinator Jobie Shields
Jobie Shields is the Director of Communications at Georgia Military College. Jobie is responsible for external communication for GMC’s 13 college campuses, the GMC Corps of Cadets, and Georgia Military College Preparatory School. She takes photos and films and edits videos for the institution, sends out press releases, and all handles all media communication and external messaging.
Jobie graduated from Georgia College & State University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication with a focus in Broadcast Journalism. She began her career following graduation as a News Reporter and Weekend Evening Anchor at 13WMAZ News in Macon, Ga. In 2018 Jobie took helm as the Public Affairs Coordinator at Georgia Military College and was promoted to Director of Communications in 2021.
She is from Monroe, Georgia, but she, her husband, and their son have enjoyed making Milledgeville their home.
Phone: (478) 387-4703
Email: jshields@gmc.edu
The Seal of the President of Georgia Military College is used to mark correspondence from the President of GMC, state documents, graduation diplomas, and other information/formal documents from the Office of the President. The central design is the Old Capitol Building. Owned by the State of Georgia, the Old Capitol Building continues to be maintained for the benefit of all citizens as a center for education and as a centerpiece of Georgia Military College. The college has upheld its stewardship for 140 years, has performed major repairs on this structure on at least three occasions, and has endeavored to preserve its integrity. It is fitting that the Old Capitol Building, which has witnessed so much of Georgia’s military and regional history, is a place from which such activity will continue.
