South Georgia Technical College enrollment up 10.8%
“South Georgia Technical College posted a 10.8% increase in enrollment Fall semester 2016,” announced President Dr. John Watford. This is the college’s largest single semester growth since the college converted from the quarter system to the semester system in Fall 2011. It is also the third consecutive year of enrollment increases for South Georgia Technical College.
“I would like to thank the entire South Georgia Technical College faculty and staff for their hard work in helping to increase our enrollment this semester,” said Dr. Watford. “Enrollment growth is a positive indicator for the college but it is also good news for the local communities in South Georgia Technical College’s immediate service delivery area that includes: Sumter, Crisp, Schley, Macon, Marion, and Webster counties. We are providing a trained workforce for these communities.”
South Georgia Technical College outpaced the Technical College System of Georgia’s overall enrollment increase this fall. The system as a whole did record an increase, but South Georgia Tech had one of the highest percentages of growth this fall in the state.
South Georgia Technical College served a total of 2,675 students in its credit enrollment programs in 2016. That was a 6.2% increase from 2015 when the college’s enrollment was 2,520. South Georgia Tech is currently on target to exceed both of those enrollment gains for the third straight year.
“Our mission is workforce development or workforce education training,” explained Dr. Watford. “To do this, we must have enrollment. But we also must concentrate on retention and completion or graduation. For the past three years, we have ranked number one in the Technical College System of Georgia in efficiency in enrolling, retaining, and graduating the students that we serve. That is a testimony to our faculty and staff.”
In addition to posting one of the largest percentages in enrollment growth in the state this fall, South Georgia Tech is also one of only three colleges that had an increase in full-time enrollment and an increase in the number of credit hours taken per student per semester over last year’s numbers.
“Our growth helps improve the economic situation for this entire area,” said President Watford. “We estimate that South Georgia Tech has an economic impact of over $167,885,000 annually on our six county service area.”
That figure includes the college’s overall operational budget as well as the additional federal grant funds spent by students and graduates within the community.
“Education with an emphasis on job placement is the key to our success,” explained Watford. “Our ultimate goal is to prepare individuals for the workforce through expanded educational opportunities. A highly trained, motivated workforce can help lead this nation into economic recovery. The valuable skills and knowledge obtained by the students here are allowing them to retain their jobs or improve their stills to enter or return to the workforce.
“Educationally and economically, South Georgia Tech is vital to the communities we serve. South Georgia Technical College is very fortunate to have established partnerships with business and industry, city and county government entities, other educational organizations and individuals. These partnerships are paying big dividends not only for South Georgia Tech and its students but also for the communities we serve,” added Watford.
South Georgia Tech touches approximately five percent of the total population (one out of every 20 people) living in Sumter, Crisp, Schley, Macon, Marion and Webster counties each year. The college’s percentage of influence almost doubles when the individuals involved with other areas are added such as the adult education and GED programs, continuing education and business and industry training courses and community conferencing activities as well as the South Georgia Technical College Foundation and Jets Booster Club.
“We are making good things happen at South Georgia Technical College,” said President Watford. “We have over 200 associate degree, diploma, and technical certificates of credit opportunities for students and we offer the complete college experience.”