History, Mission & Values

History

Southern Crescent Technical College was formed in July of 2010 as a result of a merger between Flint River Technical College and Griffin Technical College. The newly formed Southern Crescent Technical College serves the workforce and community needs of the citizens in the ten counties of the South Atlanta region including Butts, Fayette, Henry, Jasper, Lamar, Pike, Spalding, Talbot, Taylor, and Upson counties.

History of Flint River Technical College

In April 1961, an agreement between Upson County and the City of Thomaston created the Upson County Area Vocational-Technical School. Upson Tech was the seventh vocational-technical school established in Georgia. After two years of planning and organizing, the school began classes in September of 1963 in a temporary building in north Thomaston. The school offered four programs of study.

In September 1964, a new facility was completed on U.S. Highway 19 South that is now considered the main campus. The new facility allowed for programs of instruction to increase to eleven. The school served an eight-county area. Additional facilities were added in 1975, 1978, 1991, 1996, and 2007.

In 1988, the Georgia Legislature created a new Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education. The change allowed local schools to become a part of a unified state system with governance vested in a state board. This change became effective for this institution in 1988. The change also caused the institution’s name to become Upson Technical Institute.

Since 1963, several programs of instruction have been added to reflect the changing employment opportunities in the institution’s service area. Likewise, programs have been deleted due to a lack of student interest and/or employer needs.

In 1989, in addition to the main campus located in Upson County, a major effort was begun to establish outreach centers in the three other primary counties served by the institution. As a result of this effort, the institution developed full-time services in Crawford, Taylor, and Talbot counties. Associated with this expansion of services, the institution changed its name to Flint River Technical Institute. The name was selected to reflect the geographic area served by the institution that borders the Flint River.

Major changes occurred in the year 2000. Flint River Technical Institute applied for and received permission to offer the Associate of Applied Technology degree in Computer Information Systems, Electronics, Early Childhood Care and Education, and Secretarial Science. The first associate degree general education courses were offered in Spring Quarter, beginning March 20, 2000. On July 6, 2000, the name of Flint River Technical Institute officially became Flint River Technical College. Continued growth necessitated further expansion in 2004 when the Flint River Technical College Foundation acquired the former Thomaston Mills corporate office complex. This location in downtown Thomaston served as new locations for Adult Education, Economic Development Programs, and the Child Care Resource and Referral Agency. The Community Development Center (as named) provided more space to deliver these programs and freed up locations on main campus for new credit classes.

In 2006, the Georgia Legislature approved funding for a new industrial training center to be placed on the main campus location with approved funding of $7.55 million. A new building (Building D) consisting of 16,000 square feet was also started in 2006. Phase one has been completed providing much needed classroom and lab space to the Welding and Joining Technology program. A phase two construction on Building D is currently underway with plans to complete the remaining two thirds of the interior for classroom and lab space for Air Conditioning Technology, Commercial Truck Driving, and Construction trades. It was also in 2006 that the Associate of Applied Technology degree was changed to Associate of Applied Science degree.

In 2007, the One Georgia Authority and the Department of Community Affairs awarded approximately one million dollars for an 8,000 square foot expansion of the Taylor County Center. This center will provide expanded classroom and lab areas for training programs for the citizens of Taylor County and surrounding areas. Also in 2007, a $300,000 donation from the Windhover Foundation of Quad Graphics was obtained that will expand and renovate the library on the main campus. The addition will add floor space for library materials as well as designated space for computer stations and office space. The addition will add approximately 1,400 square feet to the current area.

History of Griffin Technical College

Since the first students began classes in temporary quarters in September of 1963, Griffin Technical College has been expanding in both facilities and programs offered. The College was originally named the Griffin-Spalding County Area Vocational Technical School and operated under the supervision of the Georgia Department of Education. The first 48,000 square foot building was completed in 1966, and the first expansion of the school was completed in 1978 with the addition of 18,748 square feet of classroom space.

In 1985, the State Board of Postsecondary Vocational Education was established and existing schools were encouraged to join this network. Griffin Tech joined the system in July of 1987 and adopted the name Griffin Technical Institute. Governor Joe Frank Harris elevated the Board to a Department in July 1988, changing the name to the Department of Technical and Adult Education.

In August of 1990, a 26,000 square foot office, classroom and lecture hall was added to the existing facility. The new Academic Building followed in the spring of 1995 which provided 15,297 square feet of additional classroom and office space. In September 1995, seven acres were acquired from the City of Griffin, and in February 1997, an additional two acres vacated by the Georgia State Patrol Station were acquired providing an additional 7,223 square feet of classroom and office space.

In March of 2000, Governor Roy Barnes approved legislation to change the name of Georgia’s technical institutes to colleges. On July 6, 2000, Griffin Technical Institute officially became Griffin Technical College and began offering students more options for their education. The term “technical college” more accurately reflects the quality and levels of services provided by these institutions to the citizens of Georgia.

Griffin Technical College extended its commitment to public service in December 2001 by adding an additional facility in Jasper County. The Jasper County Center, located in Monticello, offers adult education courses as well as a variety of courses which support the degree and diploma programs offered on the main campus in Griffin.

In December 2003, Griffin Technical College added an additional 70,000 square feet of state-of-the-art classroom and laboratory space, complete with a new library, student center, bookstore, and dining hall. This addition has allowed the College to expand its program offerings to continue to meet the needs of students and local business and industry.

Located in Jackson, the Butts County Center opened in January of 2008 and offers Adult Education, courses for college students, dual enrollment students, and training for those in the workforce who want to improve their job skills. Additionally, the Butts County Center also provides students from the area with a more convenient setting to meet their educational goals.

As the future unfolds, Southern Crescent Technical College will continue to offer the latest certificate, diploma and associate degrees designed to prepare students to enter the work force immediately upon graduation. The formation of Southern Crescent Technical College as a flagship technical college in the state will provide students with expanded educational programs, greater access to college resources and technology, and enhanced opportunities for career success. In addition, business and industry will benefit from a larger pool of qualified, skilled graduates and expanded access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.

Mission Statement

Southern Crescent Technical College, a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, provides technical degrees, diplomas and certificates, as well as programs in adult education, continuing education and workforce training that are high quality, community centered and student focused. The College provides learning opportunities that promote economic development in the southern crescent region of central Georgia.

Vision Statement

Southern Crescent Technical College is a teaching and learning institution that envisions itself as an exceptional, innovative, and unparalleled technical college that places students at the forefront of educational excellence. The College’s programs of study enable students to develop skills, knowledge, attitudes, and work ethics essential for securing and maintaining employment. In addition, the programs will enable students to function as responsible citizens in the community. The College will provide special support services that identify and remove potential barriers for individuals demonstrating a genuine desire to pursue their educational and career goals. The College firmly believes that students who successfully complete a program of study will have a greater opportunity of employment, a better understanding of their role in society, and a better quality of life in their community.

Southern Crescent Technical College is dedicated to developing and maintaining an active partnership with local businesses, industries, and governmental and public service agencies. This shall be accomplished by active participation of employees in the exchanging of ideas and information with community organizations. It is the College’s belief that this active partnership will assure a greater quality and validity of its programs and services. In addition, the partnership will contribute to an environment which maximizes the effectiveness of each party’s effort toward community economic growth and development.

College Values

Southern Crescent Technical College values the concept of lifelong learning, the diversity of the College community, and the social and economic development of the citizens of our service area and the State of Georgia.

Valuing lifelong learning means that the College is student-focused and treats the student as a valued customer, incorporates the latest technology in the learning environment, promotes accessibility of all programs through a variety of delivery methods and learning opportunities, recognizes the variety of learning styles of its students, and encourages students to continue their educations at the baccalaureate level and beyond.

Valuing the diversity of the College community means that the faculty and staff reflect professionalism, mutual respect for differences, dedication, and a positive attitude.

Valuing social and economic development means that the College responds to educational and workforce needs of our service area wherever and whenever appropriate at an affordable cost, responds to the needs of the citizens of our service area, and puts those needs first in everything we do.