THOMASVILLE, Ga. — The completion of the July 1, 2015, merger of Moultrie Technical College (MTC) and Southwest Georgia Technical College (SWGTC) to form the new Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) has brought with it many improvements for the college as a whole. From administration to instruction, faculty to staff to students, nearly every corner of SRTC has been enhanced, though the college’s mission remains: to be a top-tier college that will provide greater access to services and programs for the students and communities they serve.

“Throughout the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) series of mergers, most recently consolidated schools have experienced a slight decrease when comparing year-to-year enrollment data,” the college said in a press release. “Combined with the recent trend of decreased enrollment among both University System of Georgia (USG) and TCSG as a whole, the timing seemingly could not have been worse for SRTC.

“The new college, however, has been an anomaly,” the press release said. “When comparing the total Spring Semester enrollment for fiscal year 2016 to the combined enrollment numbers of the former MTC and SWGTC from fiscal year 2015, the new college realized an increase of 26 students.”

According to TCSG system enrollment data SRTC was one of only seven colleges within the system to see an increase in enrollment for the Summer 2016 term as compared to the Summer 2015 term. The college saw a 4.2 percent increase compared to FY15. The college currently boasts the 14th largest total enrollment within the entire system. According to the administration, this success can be attributed entirely to the engaged faculty and staff and their efforts to make sure each student is a priority.

“I would like to thank each and every one of our faculty and staff members for their tireless dedication and commitment to our students,” said SRTC President Craig Wentworth. “Our enrollment increase is a direct product of the efforts they have made to ensure each of our students receives the attention they deserve throughout the enrollment process and in the classroom. Our goal is to make a positive difference in every student’s life, and we will continue to keep our current students in classes and focus on increasing our enrollment for the upcoming fall semester.”

The new college now employs more than 275 full-time personnel, 83 part-time staff members, and more than 190 adjunct instructors who will be tasked with providing the highest level of service and education possible to students in both credit and non-credit programs, the college’s press release said.