President's Report
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ILITAR M Y C A O I L G L R E O G E E G C H 1879 L A L E A CTER ABOV CELEBRATING 135 YEARS GEORGIA MILITARY COLLEGE PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2014-2015 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT PRESIDENT’S REPORT GEORGIA MILITARY COLLEGE WAS FOUNDED IN 1879 WITH ITS MAIN CAMPUS IN MILLEDGEVILLE, GA, AND ADDITIONAL CAMPUSES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. AUGUSTA COLUMBUS DUBLIN WILLIAM B. CALDWELL IV FAIRBURN LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U.S. ARMY (RET.) FAYETTEVILLE What does “opportunity” mean to you? To me, it means a combination of circumstances that allows students to prepare MADISON themselves for broader experiences. At Georgia Military College, all students have endless opportunities to start with our SANDERSVILLE college and truly go anywhere upon transferring or graduating. I’m happy to report that as we continue to grow, GMC is STONE MOUNTAIN truly becoming the “school of opportunity” across our state. VALDOSTA Here, our students fall into three categories: first chance, second chance and only chance. For each group, opportunity WARNER ROBINS represents something a bit different. But for all GMC students, it means an accessible and affordable quality education, one that opens the door to so much more. It’s about putting a student on an educational path toward success, which is both our mission and passion. ONLINE Let me take a few moments to explain those categories. About 26 percent of our students are traditional first chance students. They have the grades to go to the college or university of their choice, but they’ve chosen GMC because we offer a top quality education at an affordable price. They know their credits will transfer to any of the 41 colleges/universities with whom we have articulation agreements, 35 of which guarantee admission. Another 19 percent of students are our second chance students. Perhaps they went to their two- or four-year school of choice, but didn’t adjust well or make the grade. They need an opportunity to get their education back on track, and GMC GMC ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS provides that pathway. An articulation agreement is a formal agreement between two institutions, allowing a student to apply specific credits earned For the remaining 55 percent of our students, GMC represents the only chance to advance their education. They might have at one institution toward the other. The agreements build strong partnerships between community colleges and four-year colleges dropped out of high school and earned a GED; maybe they have very low SAT scores, or face any number of challenges. by streamlining the transfer process, and saves students both time and money. They know GMC’s open admission policy means not only acceptance, but a true opportunity to change their lives. The success of our students on a daily basis is paramount to everything we do, and it defines who GMC truly is. From our Agnes Scott College Fort Valley State University Reinhardt University statewide footprint (including an online program), to small class sizes, from the variety of majors we offer, to free tutoring Albany State University Georgia College & State University Saint Leo University and donor-supported scholarships, everything is centered on student success. Wow, what an opportunity GMC offers to every student. And the outcome is seen in these examples: Our graduation rate exceeds the national average at comparable Argosy University Atlanta Campus Georgia Gwinnett College Savannah State University colleges, while our transfer rate to four-year schools is twice the national average. With an almost 200 percent growth in the Armstrong State University Georgia Southern University Shorter University number of graduates in the past six years, word is spreading about GMC’s unparalleled accessibility and affordability. Art Institute of Atlanta Georgia Southwestern State University Strayer University As you’ll see in the pages of this report, opportunity comes in many forms at GMC, both academically and financially. As I Ashford University Georgia State University Tennessee State University tell our students, if they have the desire and will to succeed, we have set the conditions to make it happen. As donors, you Auburn University at Montgomery Kaplan University Thomas University already recognize GMC is a great investment. Through your generosity, Berry College Kennesaw State University Toccoa Falls College you are giving the gift of opportunity Brenau University LaGrange College Trident University International to provide our students with hope Brewton-Parker College Mercer University University of North Georgia and the chance for a better life. Columbus State University Middle Georgia State College Valdosta State University Thank you for your loyalty and Dalton State College Paine College Wesleyan College commitment by continuing to support the next generation of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Piedmont College Young Harris College GMC students – and for making our Emmanuel College Point University institution a School of Opportunity, no matter how you define it. Georgia Military College is accredited by the Commission on Together, we are making a difference! Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees. Dr. John Wilson, President of Morehouse College, speaking to the class of 2015 in Milledgeville. GEORGIA MILITARY COLLEGE 3 CONTRIBUTE TO STUDENT SUCCESS | GROWING ENROLLMENT GROWING ENROLLMENT If our state’s rate of college degree attainment remains unchanged, the majority of Georgia’s jobs will soon be out of reach for the majority of our people. Without a trajectory correction, new employers and new jobs will move elsewhere. “Existing employers {will} begin to question the benefit of staying with a workforce that falls near the bottom of states inside a nation that lags behind most other developed countries in terms of education,” says the Complete College Georgia Report. “This future is not distant, but five years near.” At GMC, we’re determined to catalyze the change our state desperately needs. And our donors are helping make it in the application pipeline. GMC-Fayetteville Executive Director, GMC-Fayetteville. possible every day. As the largest two-year public college in Ga., our Fall to Fall enrollments continue to increase each also has 65 dual-enrollment students who are “Embracing the experience here and receiving year, surging approximately 9% last year alone, while national enrollment averages were down 2%. GMC’s graduation jump-starting their college coursework while a degree from GMC, our graduates are rate of 25% is higher than our Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) peer group by around 5%, and in high school. equipped for selfless and honorable service, our transfer rate of 32% is higher than the IPEDS peer group by around 12%. Further, GMC students ranked us higher Once the campus’ enrollment grows to 500 whether it involves continuing their education than other national colleges in student satisfaction in every category. We are dedicated to student success. – which is expected within four years – GMC at one of the 41 colleges and universities plans to launch a phase two campus expansion. with which GMC has a standing articulation Here, learn about the meaningful ways GMC is aligning our programs and services to support increased educational Currently, the school has a staff of 11, plus 24 adjunct agreement, joining the workforce, or entering the access and graduation rates. From new junior college campuses across Georgia to expanded dual enrollment programs faculty, with plans to add additional full-time faculty in the military.” for high school students, our contribution to student success is changing the game. near future. The Fayetteville facility’s architecture reflects the striking The Fayetteville campus is Fayette County’s first college, with signature gothic style of the main GMC campus in Milledgeville. more than 25,500 square feet of space. The facility includes: nine Inside, the modernized facility is completely wireless, equipped Georgia Military College classrooms; biology and chemistry labs; a media center; a book with contemporary furnishings and leading edge technology to store; two conference rooms; a student lounge with café; student optimize collaboration and active learning. support services area, complete with business, financial aid and School officials chose West Fayetteville as the home of their new Opens Campus in Fayetteville admissions offices; an area for standardized testing; and 12 offices campus based on the already established business market in the Georgia Military College celebrated the “Embracing the and a tribute to prominent Fayette County leaders for faculty and staff. area, including Piedmont Fayette Hospital, with more than 1,000 grand opening of its 10th campus Aug. 20 in experience here and and entrepreneurs with a legacy of, and lifelong Located at the intersection of South Sandy Creek Road and employees, and Pinewood Atlanta Studios, a multimillion-dollar, Fayetteville, Ga., just ten months after breaking receiving a degree commitment to, faithful stewardship, community Veterans Parkway in the western part of Fayetteville, GMC- full-service film and entertainment studio established in early 2014. ground in October, 2014. “GMC extends its from GMC, our gradu- service, and educating and developing tomorrow’s Fayetteville offers all 27 two-year degree programs available across Group VI Development, joined by Halbert Development and heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Fayetteville, ates are equipped for servant leaders. Additionally,