SAVANNAH — For the first time in its history, Savannah Technical College enrollment has topped 4,000 students, according to the first official accounting for fall quarter 2007 (DTAE seven-day report) which reports enrollment at the state’s 33 technical colleges. With a total of 4,086 students enrolled, only Chattahoochee, Central Georgia, Augusta and Gwinnett technical colleges are larger.  

“This milestone is important for this community,” said STC President C.B. Rathburn. “It indicates the growing respect and value people place in technical education generally and in Savannah Technical College specifically. We’re seeing enrollment trends now that were not happening here just a few years ago.”

In the past five years, the college has become much more international, with the number of Hispanic students doubling and the number of international students tripling.

In the past three years, the college has seen the number of men attending increase by 3 percent. At the same time, more students are pursuing associate degrees, up nearly 300 students in three years.

“We’re attracting a stronger student body,” said STC Vice President of Student Success Verlene Lampley.  

The percentage of students enrolling after earning a high school diploma has increased 8.1 percent in the past five years and a smaller percentage of students need remedial instruction. Data show a 10 percent drop in the total percentage of students enrolled in developmental courses (math, English and reading).  

Savannah Technical College serves Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties with campuses in Savannah (White Bluff Road and Crossroads Business Park), Hinesville (Airport Road and Fort Stewart Army Education Center) and in Effingham County (on Highway 21).