East Central Technical College has opened a childcare center, meeting a need that Dr. Diane Harper, president of East Central Tech, first became aware of early in her career when she was a classroom instructor. According to Dr. Harper, “So many times a student had to stay out of school because of childcare problems. I promised myself that if I ever had an opportunity to do something about that problem I would.” The new facility works on a priority basis, serving the childcare needs of East Central Tech students first, then employees of East Central Tech and then the general public. Local support has been strong, with two former foundation members naming the center in their wills, a present board member giving a gift to buy needed accessories for the building, as well other commitments to the center, including the future of the center being provided for in one dminstrator’s “planned-giving” plans. East Central Tech’s “techie kids” have been featured in newspapers and magazines in articles recognizing the importance of the center to the school and community.

Flint River Technical College is celebrating achieving a goal President Kathy Love set two years ago – topping the 1,000 student mark. At a ceremony to celebrate the milestone, Commissioner Breeden praised Love for her leadership. Love cited the Flint River Technical College Board of Directors, Flint River Tech staff and students and the area business community for their support of the work of the college. Flint River Tech is now one of the fastest growing technical colleges in Georgia.

Middle Georgia Technical College is the first of three technical colleges in Georgia to have its Heating,Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVACR) Program accredited by HVAC Excellence. North Georgia Technical College and Valdosta Technical College have also received this third-party validation.

Middle Georgia Tech received a six-year accreditation; North Georgia Tech and Valdosta Tech were accredited for five years. HVAC Excellence conducted an intense, on-site evaluation of each program, reviewing curriculum, faculty, student facilities, placement services, financial aid, training facilities, equipment, and safety.

North Georgia Technical College has a variety of community-related initiatives underway. For “Weekday Workout,” pairs of employees visit four or five area businesses, stopping in to visit sometime during the quarter, handing out North Georgia Tech mugs or other novelties and giving out information about programs and services. The North Georgia Tech Foundation recently sponsored the first quarterly kickoff breakfast for faculty and staff, celebrating the beginning of a new quarter.

North Georgia Tech recently held a ceremony to honor community members who are serving overseas. In addition, the technical college is teaching a class in Franklin County for Hispanic healthcare workers that focuses on communicating within the work environment.

The North Metro Technical College Foundation's recent fundraising event raised more than $24,000 for its Allied Health Programs. The college recently expanded its Allied Health offerings to include medical assisting, nurse assistant, and several medical certificates. Plans for the near future include offering a practical nursing program.

Southeastern Technical College is proud to announce that Meadows Regional Medical Center recently made a generous pledge of $50,000 over a five-year period to the Southeastern Technical College Foundation in support of the new medical technology building currently under construction on Southeastern Tech’s campus.

New medical programs such as Medical Laboratory Technology, Radiologic Technology, Paramedic Technology, Pharmacy Technology, and Surgical Technology will be housed in the new medical technology building slated to open in August 2003. “People are the primary assets of the medical business. As young men and women develop their careers through Southeastern Technical College, they receive outstanding preparation for medical service that is not only vital to our success as a healthcare organization but also to the success of our community as well,” said Alan Kent, CEO of Meadows Regional Medical Center. “We are fortunate to have the college as a foundation partner in the service of the people of Southeast Georgia.”

Southeastern Technical College broke ground on its newest addition on October 25, 2001. The new building is a 45,000 square foot medical technology facility estimated to cost $6.8 million.