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Gwinnett Tech Marks Enrollment Milestone
Winter Quarter Enrollment Grows 25 Percent; Now Three Years of Double-Digit Increases 

Lawrenceville - January 11, 2010

With winter quarter classes now underway, Gwinnett Technical College marks three years – 12 consecutive quarters – of double digit enrollment growth, a milestone achievement that administrators say reflects the need for accessible higher education and career-focused training, the growth of in-demand programs of study, and new trends in how education is delivered to students.

Enrollment for winter quarter 2010 is up 25 percent over last year, with a total of 6,563 students registered. Notably, Gwinnett Tech saw a 28 percent increase in new students and a 64 percent increase in fulltime new students.

"We're seeing tremendous growth in virtually every measurement of our student population. This year, our winter enrollment is virtually the same as our record fall figure – and that's rare. Fall quarter is traditionally our largest enrollment period and winter quarter enrollment generally drops," says Sharon Bartels, president, Gwinnett Tech. 

Not only are students flocking to campus in record numbers, they're also taking heavier course loads. At Gwinnett Tech, the number of fulltime students has increased 36 percent, with a 29 percent increase in total credit hours taken.

GTC's flexible scheduling options also continue to meet strong approval – weekend students increased 138 percent and evening students enrolled rose 29 percent. To increase accessibility and ease campus crowding, Gwinnett Tech now offers more than 45 classes at the college's International Education Center, located at Gwinnett Place. Primarily core classes, like English, humanities, economics and psychology, the vast majority of these offerings are hybrid classes – combining in-person and online learning so that students only meet once a week.

Gwinnett Tech is currently building additional parking and campus roads, and will break ground on its new life sciences building this spring.

The additional class and lab space the life sciences expansion will bring is greatly needed. Students seeking admission to a GTC health sciences program rose 58 percent this quarter. By percentage, the college's bioscience program had the biggest gain – up 152 percent.

In addition to health sciences, other fast-growing programs include those in IT, education and key service sectors, specifically:

Gwinnett Tech offers more than 45 degree, diploma and certificate program options that you can finish in two years or less. For more information on all programs, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.

Get the latest news about Gwinnett Tech: http://www.gwinnetttech.edu/news

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About Gwinnett Tech
Gwinnett Technical College, one of Georgia's largest technical colleges, is committed to delivering relevant knowledge to meet the workforce training needs of its community.  The college offers more than 45 associate’s degree, diploma and certificate programs and hundreds of seminars, workshops and courses providing specialized training.  It is also the county's largest provider of corporate training programs.  Gwinnett Tech is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia.