Menu 

Annual Report 2015

Kathy S. Love, Ed. DCommitment to Excellence & Opportunity

In this report, we hope you will come to understand and appreciate the impact that Savannah Technical College has in our community. The nine points of emphasis here, illustrate our
commitment to excellence and opportunity.

We are very proud of the accomplishments of our academic programs, faculty, graduates and students. From a nationally recognized instructor, to a young graduate recognized by her employer for excellence, you will meet a few of the people that make Savannah Tech a special place.

We celebrate our commitment to serving the workforce development needs of our military families and our industry partners. We embrace a bold course for the future with the first comprehensive fundraising campaign in college history. Thank you for your support. I look forward to welcoming you to campus soon.

– Dr. Kathy S. Love, President, Savannah Technical College

2015 By the Numbers

Total placement AY14: 96.39% (Graduates placed in a job that may or may not be related to their field of study, or went on to continue their education.)

Job Placement AY14: 86.40% (Graduates placed in a job that was in or related to their field of study, or went on to continue their education.)

Graduates AY15: 1,707 (11.93% increase from AY12) Total represents unduplicated graduate awards.

Awards Conferred AY15: 2,914 (33.85% increase from AY12) Graduates may receive multiple awards.

For graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, etc., visit www.savannahtech.edu/GainfulEmployment. An equal opportunity institution.

 

Enrollment by County (based on AY2015 Enrollment)

  • Chatham 55.7%
  • Liberty 17.5%
  • Effingham 12.9%
  • Bryan 6.0%
  • Long 2.7%
  • All other counties 5.3%

Student Population (based on AY2015 Enrollment)

  • African American 48.0%
  • Caucasian 40.2%
  • Hispanic 6.7%
  • Asian 2.6%
  • Multi-Racial 2.1%
  • American Indian 0.4%

Unduplicated Credit Enrollment (by year)

  • AY15 – 6,722
  • AY14 – 7,097
  • AY13 – 7,380
  • AY12 – 7,401

High School Dual Enrollment Trend (by year for dual enrolled, joint enrolled or both)

  • AY15 – 361
  • AY14 – 264
  • AY13 – 124
  • AY12 – 135

College Expands Precision Manufacturing Training

Manufacturing is making a major comeback in Southeast Georgia. Regionally, more than 200 manufacturers have a total annual payroll of nearly $700 million and employ more than 14,000 workers, making this sector of the local economy critically important to economic development and quality of life.

The College began a Precision Manufacturing Associate of Applied Science Degree in Fall 2014 to build on the Certified Manufacturing Specialist Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC) with three specializations. Students earn a Certified Manufacturing Specialist TCC and will select Welding, Machine Tool and Industrial Systems areas for precision manufacturing.

The College had expanded Welding training to Effi ngham and Liberty counties in previous years. In Spring 2015, the College added Industrial
Systems and Machine Tool programs to its Liberty Campus.

Chef Jean Portrait leaning on a hoe in a vegetable gardenChef Vendeville Wins ACF 2014 Educator of the Year

The American Culinary Federation (ACF) awarded Chef Jean Yves Vendeville the 2014 Chef Educator of the Year Award. Vendeville is STC’s department chair for culinary arts.

“This is the highest honor I have received in my fi fty-year-plus culinary career,” said Vendeville. “As an educator, I want my students to be convinced that there is opportunity in the culinary industry to accomplish their goals and to succeed when they leave. My students know this and are inspired by it.”

The award pays tribute to an active culinary educator whose knowledge, skills and expertise have enhanced the image of the professional chef, and who, by example, has given leadership, guidance and direction to students seeking a career in the culinary profession. This person demonstrates the ability to help students define and develop their careers by using their skills and abilities to provide a strong foundation for their future success.

Where Excellence Meets Opportunity: $10M Campaign

The Savannah Technical College Foundation announced a $10 million major gifts campaign to support the College in February 2015.

“State funding allows us to do important work, but does not allow for the extras that provide for excellence,” said STC President Dr. Kathy Love. “Our students and community deserve excellence, and Savannah Technical College stands ready to meet that call. We know it will be private investment that will provide the margin of excellence to allow the College to meet the promise of its future.”

The Campaign showcases the College’s excellence in instruction through opportunities it provides students. The College offers opportunity based on accessible, valuable career education in more than 150 different programs. Its excellence has been earned through statewide and national recognition in many key areas.

Ruth Ann Dutton and Sarah Hunt were honored for excellence with TCSG in 20152015 Excellence Honorees: Student/Instructor of the Year

In April 2015, STC’s Student of the Year Ruth Ann Dutton and Instructor of the Year Sarah Hunt were honored as finalists in the TCSG state competition. As a top-performing Paralegal Studies student, Dutton graduated in 2015. She was then hired by the Georgia Legal Services Program office in Savannah. Her story is certainly a model for success that will inspire others to reach their full potential by simply believing in themselves.

Hunt has been department chair of humanities and fine arts at Savannah Technical College since 2013. She began teaching in the STC General Studies department as an English instructor in
2007. She has an MFA in Professional Writing from Savannah College of Art and Design, earning an Outstanding Academic Achievement Award.

 

Fire Science students with fire hose spray an old truck on fire.New Firefighter/EMS Diploma Offered

Fire Science students may expand their first responder training with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) certifications thanks to a Firefighter/EMS diploma announced in November 2014.

Students will obtain the education and training to earn the fundamental certifications necessary to function as a firefighter and emergency medical technician in today’s fire service. Upon completion of the Firefighter/Emergency Medical Services Professional diploma, students may be eligible for certification and/or licensure in the following areas: Firefighter I, EMT, and AEMT.

With these national certifications, graduates can obtain gainful employment as a Firefighter/ EMT anywhere. This is especially helpful for military personnel and their spouses who are transitioning out of the service and wish to work in the emergency services field.

LPN Grad Named 2015 Memorial Nurse of the Year

Ashley Young, a STC Practical Nursing graduate who works in the in-patient surgery center, was named 2015 Nurse of the Year by Memorial Hospital in January 2015. Young graduated from STC in Summer 2014 and was one of four LPNs that Memorial Hospital hired for a pilot program.

Her manager described her as one who strives to serve as an ultimate patient advocate. Young is a positive role model, who is an inspiration to her mangers, fellow nurses, students and
team members.

The College’s nursing program has had an average 97.15% National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) passing rate for the last two years. This competitive admission nursing program prepares graduates to pass the NCLEX-PN to test to be an LPN.

AO Students Expand Studies as Health Care Assistants

Accelerating Opportunity (AO) allows people that do not have a GED® or those that do have a high school diploma but are not college ready to enroll in Savannah Technical College, while working towards their GED and/or becoming college ready. At the end of each program, students will exit with a GED®, if applicable, and at least one certification that can lead to a family-sustaining
wage career.

One of the training options offered for AO students is Health Care Assistant, which begins with a Nurse Aide guided pathway. Upon completion of Nurse Aide, student will have the option to select an additional approved specialization for Health Care Assistant.

Three AO Health Care Assistant/GED® graduates have enrolled in the College’s highly competitive Practical Nursing program.

Center for Traditional Craft Opens

The College established the Center for Traditional Craft, a new initiative for its Historic Preservation department in October 2014.

“One of the things that sets technical colleges apart is a willingness to offer and sustain programs that meet the needs of our community,” said STC President Dr. Kathy Love. “In Coastal Georgia, where history is valued and historic buildings abound, Savannah Technical College is uniquely positioned to offer this kind of academic program.”

The Center is organized in three distinct but intertwined components; education, research, and community outreach.

“While preparing and educating students for careers in preservation will always be our number one focus, we recognize the value in strengthening our commitment to research and community service through the Center for Traditional Craft,” said Love.

Daniel Dotson, STC 2015 GraduationProud to Assist Veterans, Military & Family Members

Savannah Technical College has the largest enrollment of military-affiliated students in the Technical College System of Georgia. One in four STC students is a veteran, active duty service member or a military dependent/spouse.

In Fall 2015, Savannah Tech opened a Veteran’s Service Center at the Savannah campus. The Center features resources and a staff to assist veterans with enrollment, financial aid and military benefits. Also in April 2015, the Landings Military Family Relief Fund donated $20,000 to create the Landings Military Spouse Academic Assistance Fund.

This scholarship fund will provide tuition assistance to military spouses eligible for the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program, who have exhausted their benefits. The new scholarship fund will award $2,000 annually for up to two years, for a total of $4,000 per student.

The Savannah Technical College 2015 Annual report was published in 2016. For a printed copy, please contact College Office of Communications