Atlanta – Chattahoochee Technical College in Marietta and North Metro Technical College in Acworth will consolidate as one college under a plan approved today by the state board that oversees the Technical College System of Georgia.

“Both are outstanding technical colleges with superb faculties and modern campuses, yet they’re less than 15 miles apart,” said Ron Jackson, the commissioner of the TCSG.  “This is a significant and innovative opportunity to combine the colleges’ resources and be even more responsive to the educational needs of our students in the Bartow, Cobb and Paulding county region.  Greater success for our students means a better-educated, more globally competitive workforce not just in the local community, but for all of Georgia as well.”

The consolidation of the two colleges, with a yet to be determined new name, will be completed by July 1, 2009.  Combined, the new college will have an annual enrollment of more than 13,500 students, making it the largest technical college in the state. 

A 17-member task force, chaired by Cobb businessman and TCSG state board member Earl Smith, was formed last January to study the feasibility of consolidating the colleges. Comprised of business and community leaders from the colleges’ service delivery areas, the group examined an assortment of issues related to consolidation including accreditation, combining administrative functions, addressing staffing and faculty needs and enhancing program delivery. 

In June, the task force issued a recommendation to the state board of the TCSG that the colleges should be combined.  Task force members noted that consolidation would make more efficient use of the colleges’ resources, expand program development, including dual enrollment with area high schools, and accelerate technical training opportunities.

Today’s vote by the TCSG state board will enable Commissioner Jackson to implement a plan that will begin with naming of a transition team of staff from the TCSG system office and both colleges.  Jackson has designated the TCSG assistant commissioner for technical education, Dr. Ray Perren, to lead the transition team.

Jackson will make an announcement in the coming weeks regarding the process for selecting a president for the college.
 
It should be noted that the consolidation plan will not require closings of any campus or facility operated by either Chattahoochee Tech or North Metro Tech.

About the TCSG: The Technical College System of Georgia oversees 33 technical colleges throughout the state. In 2007, more than 140,000 students attended TCSG colleges, which offer small classes, hands-on experience and focused instructor attention in more than 600 programs, including healthcare, aerospace, agribusiness, life sciences, and much more.  The TCSG also manages the state’s adult education and GED programs as well as Quick Start, an economic development incentive for attracting new investment to the state and promoting job creation.

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