Wiregrass educator Sherry Carroll celebrates 26 years of impact in Psychology and Student Success

August 27, 2026 - 12:22

For more than a quarter of a century, psychology instructor Sherry Carroll has been a steady and supportive presence at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. Her commitment to helping students understand both human behavior and their own potential has defined her career. Carroll's passion for this work took root during her own high school years in Irwin County, where she worked as an aide in the guidance office. It was there that she met counselor Mary Broadhurst, whose mentorship showed her the profound impact that empathy and dedicated support can have on a person's life.

Carroll joined the college in 2000, initially working as a Retention Specialist at East Central Technical College, one of Wiregrass's predecessor institutions. She recalls that the chance to help students reach their goals was an immediate draw, and she has never looked back. Over her 26 years, including 13 spent teaching, she has seen the college grow and change with new names, programs, and technologies. Yet, she notes that the core mission has remained constant: to educate, inspire, and prepare students for success in their chosen fields.

Her teaching philosophy centers on the belief that every student has a unique story and purpose. Carroll works to create a classroom environment where students feel heard and valued, making learning more powerful by connecting course material to their personal lives and future ambitions. She finds teaching psychology at a technical college especially rewarding because the subject matter applies to every program, from healthcare and business to technology and industrial trades. The skills of critical thinking, communication, and data analysis that her students gain are universally beneficial.

Carroll takes great pride in her students' achievements, both in the classroom and beyond. She recalls one former student who went on to study at Harvard and excitedly shared his discovery of the skull of Phineas Gage, a famous figure in psychology. Moments like these, she says, are what make teaching so fulfilling. Supporting students through academic, financial, and personal challenges is central to her work, and she often connects them with resources like tutoring and the Wiregrass Foundation. Her advice to them is simple: embrace curiosity, stay engaged, and remember that the sky has no limit.