For media information, contact:
Dana Urrutia, 678-495-3638
durrutia@gwinnetttech.edu

February 22, 2012

Gwinnett Tech Growth Trend Continues

GTC is Now State's Second Largest Technical College

Strong growth at Gwinnett Technical College continues this term, with total enrollment for spring semester 2012 now at 7,140 – a boost that makes GTC the second largest technical college in the Technical College System of Georgia.

Compared to 2011, enrollment for spring term 2012 is up 3.8 percent, while the percentage of fulltime students also rose, up 26.9 percent. GTC also recorded growth from fall semester 2011 to spring semester 2012, an increase of 7.4 percent.

Gwinnett Tech was the only technical college in the system with notable enrollment growth for this semester.

"With the opening of our new Life Sciences Center in the fall, we were able to expand several in-demand healthcare programs – like nursing and medical assisting – and add new programs for cardiovascular technology, health information technology and diagnostic sonography. Over 40 percent of our students are now enrolled in one of our health sciences programs, which reflects Gwinnett Tech's strong role in training the healthcare professionals our region needs," explains Gwinnett Tech President Sharon Bartels.

Gwinnett doubled both its nursing and medical assisting programs for fall semester 2011 and is expanding several other programs, including bioscience, clinical research, radiologic technology, criminal justice and paramedic technology.

"Not only are we serving an increasing number of students – we're also seeing a higher percentage of fulltime students and students taking more credit hours. Both trends, I think, speak to the need for today's graduates to have the most advanced skills in a very competitive workplace," adds Bartels.

In addition to the growth in health sciences, other program areas with strong enrollment increases include business and office technology, computer information systems, horticulture, electrical construction and cosmetology.

Gwinnett Tech offers more than 50 degree, diploma and certificate options that can be completed in two years or less. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.

Get the latest news about Gwinnett Tech: www.GwinnettTech.edu/news.

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About Gwinnett Tech
Gwinnett Technical College, one of Georgia's largest technical colleges, is committed to delivering relevant knowledge to meet the workforce training needs of its community. The college offers more than 50 associate degree, diploma and certificate programs and hundreds of seminars, workshops and courses providing specialized training. GTC is Gwinnett County's largest provider of corporate training and now serves residents and businesses in north Fulton County. Gwinnett Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097,404-679-4500, www.sacscoc.org for questions about the accreditation of Gwinnett Technical College. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu.

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.