GPTC bucking the trend with increased enrollment

Georgia Piedmont Technical College’s (GPTC) reported an increase of four percent over last year’s enrollment, bringing this Fall’s total to 4,088 students.

“Our students realize that an opportunity to develop their skills at a technical college will produce a significant return on their investment,” said GPTC President Jabari Simama.  “The uptick in our enrollment speaks to the high-quality programs we offer.  The economic disparity between college graduates and those individuals who only earn a high school diploma has never been greater. In this economy, some form of post secondary education is essential for individuals who want to enter the middle class. I’m certain our incremental increase in enrollment this Fall is part of a larger trajectory that will carry us into next semester and beyond.”

According to a report published in May of this year by CNN Money, enrollment peaked in 2010 at American colleges but attendance has declined every year since then.  Community colleges and for-profit universities have experienced the largest declines in enrollment, according to the report.  GPTC is bucking that trend by ramping up its recruitment and communications strategies, and by hosting open houses that showcase its exceptional programs to potential students.

“Enrollment is up on all three of our campuses,” said Dr. Ivan L. Harrell II, executive vice president, Academic and Student Affairs.   “This increase is truly a college-wide effort.  We’ve improved our admissions processes as well as our marketing initiatives.  The college is continuing to refine its programs so they are tailored to fit the communities we serve. We’re energized by the larger enrollments at Georgia Piedmont, having witnessed a two percent increase this past summer and a four percent increase this Fall,” Dr. Harrell concluded.

With 88 nationalities represented and more than 100 languages spoken, Georgia Piedmont’s student body is diverse.  The average age of GPTC students is 31 years, with 42 percent of students reporting they are the first member of their family to pursue a post secondary credential.