South Georgia Technical College officially signed two Pathway Program Articulation agreements with Valdosta State University on Monday, July 29, 2013, in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on the South Georgia Technical College Americus campus.

Valdosta State University President Dr. Bill McKinney and South Georgia Technical College President Sparky Reeves signed the official Pathways Program agreements that will allow students graduating with an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in 14 selected programs from South Georgia Technical College to begin working on a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree with a major in Technical Studies/Human Capital Performance from Valdosta State University or a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from Valdosta State University in Organizational Leadership.

“This is a win, win situation for your students,” said Valdosta State University President Dr. Bill McKinney. “Students who have completed their Associate of Applied Science from South Georgia Technical College can now enroll in a Bachelor of Applied Science or a Bachelor of Science Program at Valdosta State University.”

South Georgia Technical College President Sparky Reeves thanked Dr. McKinney and his staff for the partnership and for the tremendous opportunity that this agreement will provide for South Georgia Technical College graduates. “We look forward to working with Valdosta State University on this initiative,” said Reeves.

“This program creates a pathway for students to earn a bachelor’s degree once they successfully complete an associate’s degree at South Georgia Technical College,” said Andy Clark, interim vice president for Enrollment, Marketing and Communications at Valdosta State University. “Both BAS and BS programs are fully online and designed for working adults. This will help the students advance in their professional career.”

South Georgia Technical College’s AAS programs included under both agreements are: Accounting, Air Conditioning Technology, Business Administrative Technology, Computer Support Specialist, Criminal Justice Technology, Culinary Arts, Drafting Technology, Early Childhood Care & Education, Electronics Technology, Heavy Equipment Dealer Service Technology, Horticulture, Marketing Management, Networking Specialist and Recreation and Leisure Management.

The Pathways Program centers on the priorities of Complete College Georgia (CCG), an initiative developed to increase the number of Georgians earning a college degree. In 2012, institutions in both the University System of Georgia (USG) and the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) submitted plans to achieve the ambitious goal of adding more than 250,000 postsecondary graduates to Georgia’s workforce by 2020.

“The Pathways Program is aligned with the goals of Complete College America and Governor Deal’s Complete College Georgia Initiative,” said Clark. “Valdosta State University looks forward to a long successful partnership with South Georgia Technical College.”

Valdosta State University President Dr. Bill McKinney along with VSU’s Interim VP for Enrollment, Marketing, and Communications Andy Clark, Coordinator of Off-Campus and Partner Programs Dr. Joe Weaver, and Vice President for University Advancement John Crawford attended the Pathway Program articulation signing at South Georgia Tech with SGTC’s President Sparky Reeves, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. John Watford, Vice President Administrative Services Janice Davis, Vice President for Economic Development Wally Summers, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Su Ann Bird, and Athletic Director and men’s basketball coach Steven Wright.

Located in the heart of Southwest Georgia, South Georgia Technical College is a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accredited residential college offering the latest in technical education and an exciting campus life for every student. Students can choose to attend college at one of two campuses, the main campus in Americus or the Crisp County Center located in Cordele. For more information, visit www.southgatech.edu

Valdosta State University is one of the University System of Georgia’s two regional universities. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), VSU draws students from 49 states and more than 79 countries. VSU’s programs, including those at the undergraduate and graduate level, are developed with specific reference to professional educational needs of the region. For more information, visit www.valdosta.edu. 

South Georgia Technical College is currently enrolling students for Fall Semester, which begins August 19th, 2013. South Georgia Technical College offers students a one-stop enrollment process. Students can apply for admission, test if needed, register and attend on-line orientation sessions in one day. To apply for admission into SGTC, call 229-931-2394 and learn more about the over 150 associate degree, diploma, or technical certificate of credit opportunities available.