Savannah Technical College awarded $250,000 in Federal Title III funds

Grant will support instruction and advisement for Industrial Technology

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For Release: October 4, 2011

Contact: Gail Eubanks

912.443.3022

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College has been awarded $250,000 for this year from the U.S. Department of Education Title III funds for Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI).This award is a part of a five-year formula funding cycle in which Savannah Tech is slated to receive a total of $1.25M.

“The goal is to help students succeed academically, enabling more of them graduate,” says College President Dr. Kathy Love. “This grant will allow us to develop a multi-disciplinary approach with students in Industrial Technology so that we can learn from our efforts and expand into other academic areas in the future.”

The grant will focus on establishing a learning community among students enrolled in Electrical Systems Technology, Historic Preservation and Restoration, Construction Technology, Drafting, Air Conditioning Technology and Electrical Utility Technology. Students and faculty in these areas share the same instructional space and frequently collaborate in shared learning experiences, according to Dean of Industrial Technology Tal Loos. For example, students are working together now to construct a residential energy audit training facility on campus. “Because faculty and students already collaborate on teaching and learning projects, moving toward a learning community was a natural next step,” says Loos.

Savannah Technical College is establishing itself as a leader in sustainability among Georgia’s Technical Colleges, offering the first solar energy installation and repair program as well as the only hands-on historic preservation program in the state. In this grant, the focus on sustainability provides a common mindset that helps shape instructional delivery, choice and use of tools and equipment, and can become the conceptual construct that informs all learning activities for students. Part of the instructional focus will include new 3-D training technology with customized applications.

Title III PBI formula funds are awarded to institutions that are at least 40% minority and at least 50% low-income or first-generation college students. This is the first time Savannah Technical College has received Title III formula funding.

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Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 10,000 credit and non-credit students annually, Savannah Tech offers nearly 150 different instructional programs in Aviation Technology, Business and Professional Services, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).