NGTC Reaches Agreement With Southern Polytechnic State University

An agreement between North Georgia Technical College and Southern Polytechnic State University will allow students completing associate degrees at North Georgia Tech to move directly into bachelor’s degree programs in Engineering Technology at Southern Polytechnic State.

Officials said that the two schools have been working since 2009 with the support of the Technical College System of Georgia to pursue a program that matches Southern Poly’s Bachelor of Applied Science program to North Georgia Tech’s associate’s degree program.

According to officials, the most significant innovation in this project is that students will be able to complete their four-year degrees by attending classes through distance learning, allowing a graduate of North Georgia Tech to pursue the bachelor’s degree with Southern Poly without ever leaving their hometown.

The agreement allows Technical College System of Georgia students to select a pre-engineering technology associate’s degree program, specializing in electrical engineering technology, industrial engineering technology, or mechanical engineering technology. They take the associate’s degree classes at an accredited TCSG college like North Georgia Tech, then either enter the workforce directly or transfer those credits and complete the bachelor’s degree in engineering technology at Southern Poly.

North Georgia Technical College President Steve Dougherty said the new program is very exciting considering the potential for students in northeast Georgia.

Dougherty went on to say that since this involves engineering technology, it will be a boost to attracting industry to the local community.

Names chosen for the new high school gym & auditorium

The Board of Education has decided to name the new gymnasium Currahee Arena and the new auditorium the Tugaloo Center for the Performing Arts at the new Stephens County High School.

Whiten Highlights Stephens County 2010-2011 School year

Stephens County School Superintendent Sherrie Whiten said that the 2010-2011 school year was an exceptional one for the county’s school system.
“By every measure, this was a great year for students, teachers and everyone on the Stephens County School System team,” she said. “I want to publicly commend our teachers, administrators, support staff and board of education for some remarkable accomplishments.”
Whiten said the job was remarkable considering a shortened school year and budgeting challenges, and that students reached new heights.
“Our classrooms are stronger than ever, and our students are exceeding past performance,” she said.
Whiten noted the following accomplishments:

• Graduation rates exceeding past performances.

• 8th graders scoring high on their 2011 writing assessment with 89 percent meeting or exceeding state standards — an 11 percent increase from 2010’s 78 percent.

• 5th graders outpacing state percentages on their 2011 writing assessment by 84 percent. a five point margin from the state’s 79 percent.

• Improvements in almost every area of the state’s 2011 Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) including more than 98 percent of third and eighth graders passing the reading portion, 98 percent of sixth graders passing the English/Language Arts portion, math scores increasing for fifth and eighth graders and 98.6 percent of seventh graders passing the math CRCT, 91 percent of fourth graders passing the social studies CRCT.

• High school graduation test scores increasing from the previous year in English/Language Arts, Science and Social Studies.

“In every area, Stephens County students outperformed students throughout the state,” said Whiten.

The Toccoa Record

NGTC Celebrates 5 years

The Toccoa Record
It’s hard for many to believe that only five years ago North Georgia Technical College opened the doors to a brand new, state-of-the-art branch campus in Stephens County.

Known as the Currahee Campus, the 46,000-square-foot facility is located on a 50-acre site in the Hayestone-Brady Industrial Park on Highway 17 between Toccoa and Lavonia.

With Sammy Howe as director and a skeleton crew of only 8 faculty and staff members, classes began on the new campus on July 7, 2005.

Initially, 101 students enrolled in classes at the new facility during that first summer quarter.

Now, five years later, enrollment numbers have soared to almost 500 students attending classes on the Currahee Campus.

“It is a great opportunity to bring post-secondary education and adult education to the people of Stephens and Franklin Counties,” Howe said at the opening.

“This location will provide an opportunity for people to look at new career options closer to home. Companies who are interested in moving to the area will have a place to look at for an educational facility to meet their training needs,” Howe said.

Recently the NGTC Foundation received a donation from the First Citizens Foundation to complete preliminary plans for a proposed addition to the campus. The new expansion will include a health wing which will provide even greater opportunities for the citizens of Stephens, Franklin and other surrounding counties.

In addition to educational facilities, the new Currahee facility also provided the community with access to a conference area open to the public for meetings, social gatherings and even weddings.

“We welcome you to come and visit us soon,” said campus director Greg Roach. “You can visit our library, enjoy the Thursday buffet, or schedule a wedding reception. And when you’re ready to move forward in your career by getting a better education, we’re here to help.”

For more information: NGTC
or Call: 706-779-8100.

Read the article:NGTC celebrate 5 years

TFC Receives High Ranking

Toccoa Falls College recently earned the 46th (first tier) spot among regional colleges in the 2011 edition of Best Colleges by U.S. News Media Group. This exclusive ranking came after surveying more than 1,400 schools nationwide. The college's name will be listed in the September issue of U.S. News & World Report, on newsstands as of August 31.
Over the past two decades, U.S. News college ranking, which group schools based categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, has grown to be the most comprehensive research tool for students and parents considering higher education opportunities. After learning the news, Toccoa Falls College president Dr. Wayne Gardner said, "It is very exciting to have Toccoa Falls College ranked in the first tier. This ranking shows the excellent progress we have made over the past few years in our academic growth and public recognition."
Toccoa Falls College is considered one of the top Christian colleges in the nation.
For more information about Toccoa Falls College, visit www.tfc.com or call 1-888-785-5624.

Stephens County has joined with three neighboring counties to apply for hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of grant money designed for workforce development. Along with community partners in Habersham, Franklin, and Hart counties, the Stephens County Development Authority applied for a total of $358,000 in grant funds.

North Georgia Technical College enrollment increases again

North Georgia Technical College is expected to nearly double its enrollment in just two years!

School officials announced that enrollment is up again this Spring Quarter at a rate over 20% higher than Spring 2009. Enrollment at all of NGTC's campuses now totals 2,647.

NGTC students given more credit transfer options

North Georgia Technical College and Piedmont College have signed a new credit transfer agreement for their criminal justice programs, allowing students to articulate into the 4-year Piedmont College and retain their credits from NGTC. This new agreement is in addition to prior transfer agreements for students in business and nursing programs.

North Georgia Technical College sees a jump in enrollment

North Georgia Technical College has seen a major increase in student enrollment for the Fall quarter. The school as a whole experienced a 44% increase over last fall's enrollment, while Stephens County's Currahee Campus has had a 55% increase. 2,988 total students attend NGTC.