Georgia Piedmont Technical College President Dr. Jabari Simama visited the Conyers Rotary Club June 20 to speak about changes and growth at the college, which he reported had 8,061 students enrolled last year and is the fastest growing institution among Georgia's 25 technical colleges. 

Based on the preliminary data, GPTC reported the highest summer semester increase in student enrollment among the state's technical colleges. The college has a total enrollment increase of 17 percent. The number of students taking 12 credit hours or more increased 29 percent, compared with the Technical College System of Georgia’s average increase of 0.7 percent. 

The college has refocused itself on new processes and programs to become a best-in-class higher education institution, said Simama. “There is a great need in our community for education, and we are delighted to help more students obtain higher paying jobs and the American dream," he said.  

Originally founded as DeKalb Tech in 1961, GPTC now has campuses in Clarkston and Covington and has five local centers offering 137 degrees.