Athens Technical College’s satellite campuses have recently expanded academic programs adding agricultural science and conservation law enforcement associate degree programs at the Elbert County Campus and associate of science in nursing at the Walton County Campus in Monroe, Georgia.
The Tom McCall Agriscience Complex, named in honor of the former state representative from Elberton, includes two new buildings which totaled over $8.5 million funded by the state legislature. They include labs for horticulture, poultry science, animal science, agricultural mechanics and wildlife conservation spanning over 27,000 sq. ft. A separate greenhouse complex was built for horticulture instruction.
The space includes multiple office spaces, conference room and outdoor patio overlooking the pond for students to gather and study. The arena, which held its first diary show in January, will serve as a community space for many young people including 4-H and FFA participants.
The arena also held a dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting on March 31 in honor of McCall with speakers including former Governor Nathan Deal, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Commissioner Greg Dozier, Rep. Rob Leverett and Rep. Houston Gaines.
“Tom has always taken our needs under consideration and assisted us in meeting workforce needs,” said ATC President Andrea Daniel. “He understands our important role of educating the workforce in an applied way. I believe that is because he is wise, a farmer, and a passionate supporter of technical education.
Graduates from the associate degree program are prepared to enter management positions or start their own company. Some have been employed by companies such as Centurion Poultry, Pilgrims, the United States Department of Agriculture, James Greenhouses, and many others, along with those who have started their own businesses to meet the local food needs.
“Georgia needs well trained people to enter agriculture – people who understand both the science and business sides of agriculture, and have the hands-on skills necessary to hit the ground running. These new buildings will help us to meet those needs,” said program chair Chris Morgan, who stared the program nearly a decade ago at the Athens campus. “I’m excited about the future of Georgia, the opportunities for Georgia agriculturalists to meet the needs of a growing population, and the multitude of career prospects our students will have.”
Alongside the agriculture program, a new associate degree program was created last year that combines criminal justice and wildlife courses to train budding technicians and public safety officers.
“The facilities also allowed us to create a new program in conservation law enforcement, which was specifically requested by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources,” said Daniel. “This unique program prepares graduates to meet the demand for DNR officer positions throughout the north region.”
Alexia Goodman is the program chair and instructor for the program, which will have its first graduate this fall. The interest for the program has been strong with over 20 students enrolled in the second year of the program.
Meanwhile, about 60 miles away, the first cohort of nursing students at the Athens Technical College’s Walton Campus began classes in August 2022, and a ribbon cutting for the new facility was held in December.
Renovation of existing space included new classroom and simulation labs with the latest technology to help with interactive teaching to mirror what is currently on the main campus. Funding for the program came in part from a partnership with Piedmont Healthcare, which hopes to hire qualified graduates from the program in the region.
Beth Heath serves as an instructor and clinical coordinator for the Walton nursing program. She graduated from the College’s nursing program in 1999 and has a background in hospital nursing and community health, previously teaching full-time at the Athens campus.
“We comment on the number of students that drive from a distance, especially out in this direction,” she said. “It’s great that students won’t have to drive so far, and we’ll bring a great program to more students. With the nursing shortage, any time we can provide qualified applicants the opportunity to enroll in a really great program that’s a plus. I think geographically it’s a boon for students – we know there are students in this area that want to come to this program and there are more students than we can take at the Athens campus.”
Josh Paine is the executive director for PR & Institutional Advancement at Athens Technical College
