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

July 14, 2008

Summer Enrollment Up 19 Percent at Gwinnett Tech

It may be the lazy, hazy days of summer, but energy is high at Gwinnett Technical College where summer enrollment is up 19 percent over last year. Classes for the quarter began July 1 with 3,511 students registered.

The number of students taking fulltime course loads also increased significantly, up 35 percent over summer quarter a year ago. The strong enrollment increase continues a trend of double-digit hikes recorded at Gwinnett Tech over the last five quarters.

"We're delighted that increasing numbers of students are turning to Gwinnett Tech for their education and career training. The value of higher education is unquestionable, and in these times of economic concerns, having the most up-to-date and in-demand training is even more crucial," says David McCulloch, vice president, recruitment and marketing, Gwinnett Tech.

The largest enrollment increases were recorded in programs that prepare students for careers in IT, business and education, including these specific programs:

The healthcare sector – one of the area's fastest growing career fields – continues to be strongly represented and served at Gwinnett Tech. The college's Health Sciences program encompasses 28 percent of total enrollment. The college offers nine Health Sciences programs, including nursing, bioscience, surgical technology, radiologic technology, respiratory care, dental assisting, dental laboratory technology, medical assisting and medical office technology. A new Life Sciences Building at the college, included in the state budget for this year, will ultimately increase Gwinnett Tech's ability to accept and train more healthcare professionals.

Earlier this week, Gwinnett Tech announced the addition of an associate degree nursing program and will begin accepting applications for the program August 1. Gwinnett Tech is also an active part of efforts to bring additional life sciences and biotech companies to the area, educating workers for these employers through its Georgia Bioscience Technology Institute, a collaboration with Athens Tech.

Gwinnett Tech offers the associate of applied science degree, diploma and certificate options in more than 45 programs that students can complete in two years or less. GTC is the state's largest technical college when credit enrollment, continuing education enrollment and adult education enrollment are combined.

For more information about any of Gwinnett Tech's programs, contact 770-962-7580 or visit www.gwinnetttech.edu.

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.