Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE - Gwinnett Technical College is among the fastest-growing public two-year colleges in the nation, according to an annual analysis by Community College Week Magazine.

Gwinnett Tech ranks 20th in the country with 12.6 percent enrollment growth, college officials announced this week.

In total, six Technical College System of Georgia colleges have been named in two categories of the top 50 fastest-growing public two-year colleges in the nation. The magazine based its report on the percentage of enrollment change among 1,153 colleges in the two-year period including fall 2006 and fall 2007.

"Gwinnett Tech has recorded double-digit enrollment growth for seven consecutive quarters - almost two years," President Sharon Bartels said. "Although registration for (the) winter quarter is still ongoing, it appears this strong enrollment trend will continue into 2009."

Also on the top 50 list are four other Georgia technical colleges with enrollments of between 2,500 and 4,999 students: Griffin Technical College (4th), West Central Technical College (8th), Middle Georgia Technical College (28th) and Columbus Technical College (47th). East Central Technical College was the 29th among two-year colleges with enrollments of 2,500 or less.

"More and more students are turning to Georgia's technical colleges to get the kind of 21st century education and training that's vital to their success in today's highly competitive work force," Commissioner Ron Jackson said.