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

October 31, 2007

Gwinnett Tech Fall Enrollment Up 12 Percent

Gwinnett Technical College's fall enrollment rose just over 12 percent as compared to last year, making Gwinnett Tech now the third largest of the state's 34 technical colleges. Total enrollment at the college is now 4,815 students.

An initial report from the Department of Technical and Adult Education (DTAE), which administers the state's technical college system, shows Gwinnett Tech's fall quarter enrollment up 12.3 percent versus last year. Gwinnett Tech's increase in actual students enrolled was the second largest increase in the state.

"Enrollment increases are good news on several fronts. This trend confirms that we at Gwinnett Tech are succeeding at our efforts to offer valuable and relevant programs for our students, and that we are continuing to meet students' needs in terms of class scheduling and enrollment ease," explains Sharon Bartels, president, Gwinnett Tech.

"Increasing enrollment is also great news for the community as a whole. Area employers can anticipate a well-trained, well-educated workforce, and we're helping to increase quality of life for our citizens by advancing higher education," Bartels adds.

Gwinnett Tech also had the second largest increase in the number of credit hours taken by students and reported a 25 percent increase in students under 21. Earlier this year, the DTAE reported that Gwinnett Tech students have the highest level of post-secondary education in the state. Forty-five (45) percent of GTC students have one to three years of post-secondary education prior to enrolling, while seven percent have already earned a bachelor's degree.

The enrollment increase was led by continued growth in several of Gwinnett Tech's most popular programs - business and finance, computer sciences, early childhood education and construction. The college's health science offerings, including nursing, surgical technology, radiologic technology, healthcare and dental assisting, and others, continue to operate at capacity.

Gwinnett Tech's spring quarter 2007 enrollment was up 11 percent over the same period in 2006.

Statewide, enrollment at Georgia's technical colleges rose 4.4 percent for the period, with credit hours taken increasing 4.7 percent.

For more information about enrollment at Gwinnett Tech or about any of its more than 45 educational offerings, contact 770.962.7580.

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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.