Guilford Technical Community College

Guilford Technical Community College (more commonly known as Guilford Tech or "G-Tech," and often shortened to GTCC) is a public community college based in Jamestown, North Carolina.

History

The college was founded as the Guilford Industrial Education Center[1] on April 3, 1958 as a training facility established to prepare workers for technical jobs created by the rapid manufacturing growth in the county. The future GTCC opened that August in Jamestown on the site of the former Guilford County Tuberculosis Sanatorium [1924-1955] with 50 students enrolled in two classes. In 1965, when the center was elevated to Guilford Technical Institute, the school was authorized to grant associate degrees.[2]

The State Board of Community Colleges approved GTI’s request to add a college transfer program in 1983, and the institution became Guilford Technical Community College. GTCC’s mission has basically remained unchanged: the institution is charged to give the people of Guilford County the training and education they need to compete in the job market.[3]

For the 2008-09 academic year, GTCC is offering 93 degrees, 26 diplomas and 78 certificates, a total of 197 awards from 90 unique programs. Two new degree programs, Health Care Management Technology and Cyber Crime Technology, have been added for 2008-09. The college also offers personal enrichment courses, a variety of adult literacy opportunities and training for business and industry.

GTCC operates from three campuses; the main campus in Jamestown at 601 High Point Road, the High Point Campus, 901 South Main Street, the Greensboro Campus at 3505 East Wendover Avenue, and two centers; the T. H. Davis Aviation Center at 260 North Regional Road, Piedmont Triad International Airport and the Small Business Center, 207 Yanceyville Street, Greensboro.

GTCC is the third largest of 58 community colleges in North Carolina, with over 13,000 students enrolled as of the Fall 2010 semester. President Donald W. Cameron, is the longest tenured president in the school's history, having held the position since 1991.

As of 2004, GTCC's High Point campus is home to the Larry Gatlin School of Entertainment Technology, a program that started in 2000. It offers associate degrees in Recording Engineering, Concert Sound and Lighting, Artist Management, and Music Performance. It is the only program of its kind in North Carolina, and has garnered nationwide attention from a variety of colleges and universities looking to implement (or improve) similar programs.

The College also offers a middle college program at all of its locations. Students attend honors classes daily. The total program emphasizes academic preparation as well as the development of the total individual. The Middle College offers a diverse academic curriculum including Honors courses in English, mathematics, science, foreign languages, and social studies.[4]

Background and mission

The school opened in 1958 with 42 students and two classes as the Guilford Industrial Education Center on the site of the Guilford County Tuberculosis Sanatorium, which had operated from 1924 to 1955. The purpose of GTCC has remained basically unchanged since it first opened: to give the people of Guilford County the training and education they need to compete in the job market. Today the mission of Guilford Technical Community College is to provide access to lifelong learning opportunities for personal growth, workforce productivity, and community service.

Locations

Campus locations can be found in Jamestown, Greensboro, High Point, the Aviation Center at the Piedmont Triad International Airport, and the Small Business Center. The campus on Wendover Avenue offers state of the art technology. Students prepare for a variety of career opportunities. Another campus will be located near the Piedmont Triad International Airport. In 2007, GTCC began offering eDegrees giving students the opportunity to obtain a number of degrees online without coming to campus.

The school is part of the statewide North Carolina Community College System.

References

  1. ↑ Logistics Technology Program
  2. ↑ "GTCC - Campus Information". GTCC Website. GTCC. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
  3. ↑ "GTCC - Campus Info". GTCC Website. GTCC. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
  4. ↑ GTCC Middle College at Jamestown

External links

Coordinates: 35°59′53″N 79°55′08″W / 35.9980°N 79.9189°W / 35.9980; -79.9189

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