Military Programs

As an Academic Program Manager for the VET² Program, Tony understands the importance of helping all veterans especially those transitioning from military service.  Having served in the US Army as well as working in higher education, Tony knows the impact of the VET² Program as each team member serves in different roles and especially important is that of mentor/motivator. 

Tony was born and raised in Georgia and after graduating from high school he entered the United States Army and has served for more than 15 years. Tony received his education from Georgia State University (B.A in English) and Georgia Southern University (M.A. in Communication and Leadership).  He truly relates to the quote by Mahatma Gandhi, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

When Tony is not working with Georgia Tech or the military (Army), he spends his time with family and friends as well as travels.  

As an enthusiastic learning professional, Rosa W. Tauaese totally believes that being energetic, prioritizing time and resources are the proven ways to attain any goals.  She also believes that her personal and professional education, work experiences, interests and strengths have all contributed to outstanding achievements.  She continues to service a diverse population, building relationships with Service Members, Transition Assistance Program leaders, East Central Consortium, and the Area Regional Commission in her area to promote positive experiences and opportunities to all interested parties.  Having worked in the public service arena for most of her career, Rosa has a plethora of collaboration experience with many different corporate organizations promoting, recruiting, delivering training solutions and job opportunities.   

Rosa was born and raised in South Carolina and received her Associates of Applied Science Degree from Aiken Technical College in Accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources from Southern Wesleyan University and enjoys every opportunity to learn something new each day. Rosa believes that everyone learns differently and should be met with where they are in the learning curve and that we should always treat others the way in which we desire to be treated. 

When not working with the Georgia Tech community, Rosa spends quality time with her siblings, adult children, husband, Loui, and close friends. Some of her most passionate activities are serving on the Augusta Mini Theatre Board helping under privilege kids through arts, music, and dance, reading, fishing, traveling and spending time with her only niece and nephew!

Prior to joining the Georgia Institute of Technology, Ken spent years working in retail, warehouse, and logistics management for several fortune 500 companies. Ken is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps serving more than 26 years in both active and reserve assignments deploying to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Kabul, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and at the Pentagon for Headquarters Marine Corps in Arlington, Virginia. 

Ken is from Buffalo, New York and has earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Buffalo State College, a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from Florida Metropolitan University, a master’s degree in Adult Education and Community Leadership from Georgia Southern University and a post-graduate degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. He is a graduate of Leadership Savannah, GA Tech’ s Inclusive Leadership Academy and is the recipient of Georgia Southern University’s distinguished Alumni Award.

When not working at GA Tech Ken is an avid exercise enthusiast who workouts 4-5 times a week and finds time to compete in Duathlons, 5K’s and obstacle races.  Ken also enjoys going to and watching pro and college football games.

Dr. James Wilburn is the Director of Professional Leadership and Military Programs for Georgia Tech Professional Education. In this role, Wilburn serves as the university’s liaison for military personnel, and works to develop and identify programs beneficial to the career advancement of military members, veterans, and their family members. Dr. Wilburn has developed the Veterans Education Training and Transition (VET2) program which focuses on assisting service members, veterans and military spouses transition from the military to the civilian workforce. He also is an instructor for the Data Analysis and Continuous Improvement course as part of the Georgia Tech Online Master of Science in Analytics (OMSA) program. More recently, he became the director of professional leadership as well.

Prior to joining the Georgia Institute of Technology, Wilburn was program director and Professor of Military Science at Vanderbilt University. He has also served as a course director, operations officer and

instructor at the United States Military Academy (West Point) and served for 22 years in the United States Army.

Wilburn earned his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from New Mexico State University, a master’s degree in Management at Colorado Technical University, a master’s degree in Applied Sport Science/Exercise Physiology from Indiana University, and a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University. He is a graduate of Leadership Southeast Georgia and is an executive member of the Georgia State Workforce Development Board (SWDB) and Co-Chair of the Finance and Performance Committee. Dr. Wilburn earned his Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Project Management Professional certifications from the Georgia Institute of Technology.