Georgia Northwestern Technical College Hosts High School Counselors Luncheons

On April 21st and 25th, appreciation and information luncheons were held for the Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Gordon, Floyd, Polk, and Walker county superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, assistant principals, and school counselors informing them about the opportunities Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) has to offer.

Those in attendance were informed on GNTC’s program offerings, admissions and financial aid processes, HOPE changes, quarter to semester conversion, athletics, and dual enrollment opportunities.

Dr. Craig McDaniel, GNTC president, began the luncheon by thanking the high schools for their partnership. He then gave them five numbers; 80, 40, 58, 90, and 100, that is essential to the college. Eighty represents the percentage of jobs that currently exist or will be created in the next few years that do not require a four year degree but require education beyond high school. Forty represents the percentage of skilled technician jobs that currently have a shortage. Fifty-Eight percent represents the budget cut GNTC will take in the next fiscal year due to HOPE changes. Ninety percent stands for the graduation rate of those students that are dual enrolled. One-hundred percent represents that number of students that sit in a classroom today that will at some point have to work for a living.

“We can’t guarantee employment but what we can guarantee is that your high school students will get the best quality in education that is available at GNTC,” stated McDaniel. “We realize that our future in is the high schools and we want you to allow us to work with you more aggressively in the future.”

Dr. Mindy McCannon, vice president of Academic Affairs, and Dr. Cathy Vann, associate vice president of Academic Affairs, discussed the over 200 programs offered at GNTC that lead to careers in technology, business, health, and public services. They also discussed the dual enrollment opportunities including information on the various programs and eligibility requirements.

McCannon and Vann also gave the guests information regarding GNTC’s summer term, a five week session where students can take two classes in just over a month. Both current GNTC students and high school seniors graduating in May can take advantage of this five week term.

David Stephenson, GNTC athletic coordinator, spoke to the guests about the sports opportunities available for student athletes. GNTC is part of the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) and TCSGAA (Technical College System of Georgia Athletic Association). The college offers both men and women’s basketball as well as women’s volleyball. GNTC also offers a wide variety of intramural sports such as softball, golf, volleyball, and bowling.

Dr. Steve Bradshaw, GNTC associate vice president of Student Affairs, informed the guests about the changes to both the HOPE Grant and HOPE Scholarship and how it will affect current college students and high school students. “HOPE is still an excellent program,” stated Bradshaw. “It will just provide a little less than it did 18 years ago.” Bradshaw was pleased to announce that GNTC did not increase any of their fees for the upcoming year and only increased tuition slightly. “On average, a full time student is going to have fees and tuition of approximately $400 a semester,” commented Bradshaw. “GNTC is still the best deal out there. It is a bargain financially but a jewel in terms of the quality of education you receive.”

“We want to make sure that we as caretakers of our student’s education, guide them so that they can take the biggest advantage of the resources they have available to them,” added Bradshaw.

GNTC is looking forward to continuing their relationship with area high schools during the upcoming years.