On the morning of Wednesday, September 11, Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) announced it had achieved historic record student enrollment for the seventh consecutive term. For the fall 2019 semester, SRTC’s total enrollment hit a new record high of 5052 students. This growth represents an 8.6% increase in total enrollment with a 9.4% increase in full-time equivalency when compared with SRTC’s fall 2018 figures.  These numbers are roughly double the statewide average enrollment growth across the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), which has expanded by about 4-5% during the same time period. All numbers are courtesy of the TCSG data center.

In the wake of a merger in 2015 and an acquisition in 2018, the remarkable sustained increase in enrollment is a testament to the tireless efforts of faculty and staff at SRTC, according to SRTC President Jim Glass. “It’s a great time to be at SRTC,” commented Glass. “This extraordinary pattern of growth is a direct result of the dedication of our hardworking and devoted faculty and staff. When students walk through the doors at SRTC, they are met by our compassionate team who are focused on student success. This team comes to work to serve students, and it shows.”

With the addition of new programs designed to meet the unique needs of students in the Southwest Georgia area, SRTC is poised to continue this trajectory of growth in the spring term. Beginning in January of 2020, the college will be introducing three highly anticipated courses of study. Answering the call of area business and industry, a CNC Routing Program will be offered in Bainbridge, and a Tool and Die Program will be offered in Thomasville. Spanning SRTC’s entire service delivery area, the new Interdisciplinary Studies Program will be offered for the spring semester.  This program is designed to transfer to four-year Georgia colleges and universities and will be comprised of core classes. Each of these programs should reinforce continued growth at the college.

SRTC continues to maintain one of the largest Dual Enrollment programs in the state, with around 2000 students taking advantage of the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school. With the recent changes to the program, any student enrolled in a Georgia high school (9^th – 12^th grade) that meets the dual enrollment and admission requirements of SRTC is eligible to participate in the program, at no cost to students or their families.