Gwinnett Tech Breaks Ground on Alpharetta Campus

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Governor Nathan Deal, Commissioner Gretchen Corbin of the Technical College System of Georgia and Gwinnett Technical College President Dr. Glen Cannon commemorated the groundbreaking of GTC’s new campus in Alpharetta last week.

The trio were joined by hundreds of community, business and educational leaders, plus college board members, faculty, staff and students in the ceremony.

The new campus is under construction at the intersection of GA-400 and Old Milton Parkway. Classes will begin there in January 2016.

“Today is a part of a continuing epic story of higher education in Georgia,” Gov. Deal said. “It is one that all of us should be very proud. This campus will add to a vibrant workforce that serves more than 900 technology firms that call this community home, the hospitals and medical centers that care for the region’s residents, and the primary schools that teach our children. These are the venues in which these graduates will find opportunity.”

Dr. Cannon noted the groundbreaking was a “historic day” not only for Gwinnett Tech, but also for the Technical College System of Georgia as well.

“This is a promise to our student citizens that they will have access to education,“ he added. “It is a promise to our businesses that they will have a quality and sustainable workforce.”

When talking to business and industry about why Georgia is a great place to do business, Commissioner Corbin noted “the conversation always goes to economic development, workforce development and education.”

This first campus building, one of three planned, has three stories and approximately 95,000 square feet, housing both classrooms and administrative offices.

The building will have 35 classrooms, including seven Technology Enhanced Active Learning rooms, seven computer labs, three science labs, a library, bookstore, two 90-seat lecture halls, a Learning Success Center and study areas on all three floors, plus offices for advising, financial aid and recruiting.

The first program offerings, decided in concert with north Fulton business and economic development leaders, will include Computer Sciences, Life Sciences, Criminal Justice, Accounting, Business Administration Technology, Basic Science, Patient Care and Assisting, Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism and Early Childhood Care & Education.

When built out, it’s projected that the campus could serve up to 10,000 students in three buildings. Gwinnett Tech now serves more than 18,000 students annually in college credit, adult education and continuing education classes.

Gwinnett Tech has been serving North Fulton since mid-2010 and now offers adult education, continuing education and dual enrollment for high school students to area residents.

Gwinnett Tech offers more than 50 degree, diploma and certificate options that can be completed in two years or less. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.

Photo: From left to right, Georgia State Representative Harry Geisinger; Georgia State Senator John Albers; Dr. Lynn Cornett, TCSG State Board; Georgia State Senator Brandon Beach; Michael Sullivan, TCSG State Board; Lauren Pelletier, Gwinnett Tech 2015 GOAL Winner; Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle; Governor Nathan Deal; TCSG Commissioner Gretchen Corbin; Dr. Glen Cannon, president, Gwinnett Technical College; Joe Yarbrough, chair, TCSG State Board; Commissioner Liz Hausmann, vice chair, Fulton County Board of Commissioners; Wendell Dallas, past board chair, Gwinnett Technical College; and Mike Price, board chair, Gwinnett Tech Foundation